Much
of today’s music passes through my ears without my brain noticing. Even tunes
which prove hugely popular often fail to register. The best, on the other hand,
are eternally evocative. Only a really good tune can transport me back in time,
sometimes even to the other side of the world, with pin-point accuracy. I can
close my eyes and see yesterday.
One
such song, which reached the top ten in the UK singles charts in January
1984, invariably reminds me of longing
to be elsewhere. I can recall, as a teenager, gazing from my bedroom window
upon snow-covered fields which blended into the hazy midwinter sky less than a
mile away. The window was probably wide open, letting the heat escape, along
with the ethereal sound of China Crisis on BBC Radio 1 singing Wishful Thinking (Figure 52.1).
Figure
52.1: Original 7” sleeve for one of the ’80s’ enduring classics
Copyright
© 1984 Virgin Records
Formed
in Liverpool by Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon more than thirty years ago, the band
enjoyed considerable success in the ’80s, not only in their homeland, but also
across the Atlantic and throughout Europe. A colleague of mine from the Home
Office – himself a musician, having played with the likes of Chuck Berry and B.
B. King – knows Gary well, and vouches for the band’s musical talent, songwriting
ability and social awareness. Combining post-punk New Wave influences of thirty
years ago with blues and reggae, their style was never easy to pigeonhole.
Of
their ten hits, the mellow Wishful
Thinking is the standout classic. While the smooth keyboards, blended with
bass, pizzicato-style strings and unobtrusive acoustic guitar, render it instantly
recognizable, it is the lyrics which set it apart. These days, the line “I see the likeness in his smile and the way
he stands” makes me think of my young sons – reason enough to have the song,
which I first bought on vinyl, playlisted on my iPod.
Of
all the artists whose shows I have been fortunate enough to see over the years –
Bruce Springsteen, Paul Weller, Pulp, Moody Blues, Annie Lennox, Mike & The
Mechanics, Elkie Brooks, Hot Chocolate, Asia, Simply Red, Queen (last ever
performance), Freddie Mercury Tribute at Wembley, Eagles (twice), ELO (three
times) and Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds
– China Crisis eluded me. Until yesterday, that is. The band announced its 30th
anniversary tour a few months ago (Figure 52.2). It was a must, cost and
distance no object, and a pleasant surprise trip for my partner (Figure 52.3).
Figure
52.2: Unmissable after waiting thirty years
Copyright
© 2011 Eastwood City
Figure
52.3: Tickets for a show I never expected to see
Copyright
© 2012 Floral Pavilion
The
seven-piece band took to the stage at 8 p.m., with Gary jokingly complaining
about the heat from ‘these *%@*ing spotlights’. The audience seemed to know
what to expect, and his string of camp remarks broke the ice well. Then came a
succession of beautifully crafted songs, all performed slickly and faithfully
to their original recordings, but with an exciting spontaneity. Black Man Ray, Christian and Working With Fire And Steel preceded a
bouncing rendition of King In A Catholic
Style and many well-known album tracks (Figure 52.4). Wishful Thinking came midway through the performance, and it was
well worth the thirty-year wait. I closed my eyes as Eddie began to sing – “It’s time we should talk about it ...” –
and I could once again see those fields of snow. The only disappointment was
that they omitted Arizona Sky, originally
released in 1986, and which should, in my view, have become their biggest smash.
Figure
52.4: Photographic equipment prohibited, of course
Copyright
© 2012 Paul Spradbery
At
10:30 p.m., we emerged from the theatre into the pouring rain with heads full
of treasured memories. If China Crisis were to tour every year, we would definitely
make last night a habit. I doubt they will, though. On our part, it’s just
wishful thinking (Figure 52.5).
Figure
52.5: Two happy former teenagers
Copyright
© 2012 Paul Spradbery
Copyright
© 2012 Paul Spradbery