Review: Icicle Works at O2 Academy in Liverpool

May 2 2011 Chester Chronicle

THE ICICLE WORKS/O2 Academy, Liverpool, 30.04.11

REVIEW/by Grahame Rhodes

FORMED in 1981 in Liverpool by singer, writer and guitarist Ian McNabb, his 'neo psychedelic warriors', The Icicle Works – also featuring Chris Layhe (bass) and Chris Sharrock (drums) in the original line-up – had a 16 year recording history between 1982-1988, that spawned four studio albums, from which a host of singles got them into the charts and also on to “Top Of The Pops”, when such things mattered!

Ian McNabb's talent for a big melody and grand lyric remains to this day in his solo work, and here with his most regular road band, the faithful, who have stuck loyally to his music over the years, gathered in large numbers for a nostalgic trawl through the back-catalogue of songs from The Icicle Works that have certainly stood the test of time.

The Liverpool 'home town' gig was one of four to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band, with Ian McNabb joined by his trusty 'lieutenant' of 30 years, Roy Corkill, on bass and backing vocals; the flamboyant keyboards of the masterful Richard Naiff; and powerhouse drummer, Matthew Priest, formerly of the band Dodgy – who was playing despite an injured foot.

An epic two hours plus show contained a vast number of regularly played favourites, but also a host of gems that don't feature nowadays in McNabb's solo shows. Between song chat and banter, and the usual audience singalongs were kept to a minimum as the band utilised the time available . . . starting with a brace of classics in the shape of a magnificent “When It All Comes Down” and the ever-popular “Evangeline”, with very short singalong. The pace was taken down a touch for the beautiful “Little Girl Lost”, with its searing chorus and reggae-ish groove . . . . just a great song!

The last album the original trio recorded was “Blind”, which came out in 1988, and we were treated to a superb version of the title cut . . . another Ian McNabb classic and definite highlight amongst many, as was the thunderous Led Zeppelin-inspired “Shit Creek”, with McNabb's guitar playing here on top form, as, indeed it was all evening. From the first album, we were treated to “In The Cauldron Of Love”, “Lover's Day” and “Reaping The Rich Harvest” . . . considering the youthful age of the band and McNabb when they first appeared, definitely ahead of their time, and all enhanced here by Richard Naiff's sweeping playing – both on piano and organ, and occasional recorder!

The hard-hitting “Up Here In The North Of England” - Ian McNabb's view of Liverpool circa 1986 – was as majestic as ever, and is another song that has most definitely stood the test of time; his tale of first love, “Out Of Season” is another fans favourite and was well appreciated here. The regular set ended with “Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)” . . . including, as Ian does on occasion, a medley, with snatches of “Who Do You Love?” - with a 'doff of the cap' to the late, great Jim Morrison of The Doors - “Magic Bus”, “I Want Candy”, and George Michael's “Faith” . . phew, a stunning end to a quite brilliant two hours of music.

A trio of encores rounded off the evening - the rocking “Understanding Jane”, simply introduced by Ian McNabb as “a song about a barmaid from Liverpool”; the still essential “Love Is A Wonderful Colour”, and ending with the equally cherished “Hollow Horse”, to send a lot of people home very happy and with smiles on their faces. Make no mistake Ian McNabb remains a force to be reckoned with, but still criminally in the shadows these days, and although it's unlikely we'll see any future shows as The Icicle Works for a good while, he'll still be out on the road ploughing the solo furrow . . . catch him if you can!