The Lindisfarne Story
Chapter VI No Time To Lose
Whitley Bay Playhouse
Whitley Bay
UK

2025-04-12

For a number of years now, Ray & Billy have complemented the Lindisfarne legend by presenting a history lesson of the band - what happened, the background, associated anecdotes along with scaled back takes on the tunes and an underlying care love for all involved along the way. This instalment takes us to the beginnings of it all...in fact before the beginning, up to the release of the fabulous first album (and still my favourite), "Nicely Out Of Tune".

Tempusfugit (TF) kindly sorted the (brilliantly appointed) tickets for Whitley Bay Playhouse. Christmas at the seaside, and as we ate our pre-show fish and chips we reminisced about how it had changed over the years. We have become "those people". That said...whilst we may have inadvertantly played out an impromtu episode of "Last of the Summer Wine", looking at tonight's audience, we're not as far down the road to Kingdom Come as most, and my quip about having flyers from funeral directors on the merch stand had some foundation.

We've been here before (and so found the way in), and with it being...some time since seeing Ray & Billy, I was for "The Story".

Everyone was held in the foyer until around 10 minutes before the 7:30pm start. A lot of history in such a small space. However, it did give everyone time to eye up the merch stand. Impressive choice of hats, CDs, DVDs & drinks coasters. And a tote bag to put them in.

In terms of structure, the show itself followed the time tested, traditional format. Slides & video clips on a big screen behind the boys with the lads doing their double-act raconteur/minstrel/jester routine. Different script, different story, but the same fabulous entertainment. Few things we may have heard before but, at my time of life, forgetfulness has its advantages it seems.

Two sets, most of it surrounding the debut album (before, during and just after) with a few other bits blended in for good measure.

Track-wise...very arbitrary on my part as to where to cut them & what to call them...not your regular setlist.

If success is measured in smiles, this was a belter. Grins all around following the call to the care home.

Has there been a better time to be a fan in the past 30 years?

Replacement hips and knees all rattled to:-

Side 1
S101 DoonTheMineYhemSick Blues
S102 Desert Island Discs On The Corner
S103 Principals ans Inspirations
S104 Early Local Scene
S105 Recognition and Eleanor
S106 Road To Kingdom Come
S107 The Name and Winter Song
S108 Characters Born At The Right Time
S109 Clear White Light Pt II

I N T E R V A L

Side 2
S201 Chosen Few Swinging Together
S202 All Fall Down
S203 Notoriety, Flowers and Scarecrows
S204 The Student Nurse and The Beatles
S205 Down, The Finish and The Wait
S206 Beer
S207 Jack The Lad
S208 Fog On The Tyne
S209 The Present and Run For Home

Presented and played by:-

Ray Laidlaw - Narration, percussion and vocals
Billy Mitchell - Narration, guitars, vocals, harmonica

Lineage

SP-CMC-4U >
TASCAM DR-40 >
Sound Forge Pro 14 >
Trader's Little Helper (level 8) >
Torrent Site

When they pass your way, get yoursel along and remember The Good Old Days...