Dear Rapiers:
First I must congratulate you on a great show at the Stables Theatre on 11 May. Unfortunately, the sound for Billie Davis and her backing singers was non-existent. I thought perhaps I had a hearing problem, but when I spoke to people around me at the interval (eight rows back in the centre seats), I found nobody could hear the vocals.
A couple of us complained to the mixing desk but they (quite rudely) said they could hear perfectly and there was no problem Luckily, Jet Harris and you were really good in the second half. Personally, I would have liked a little more Johnny Kidd/Eddie Cochran but it was Jet's legacy that showed through.
If you have a different sound man, I would love to see you lot again.
John Brown
Wellingborough
Dear Rapiers:
This is the second time I have seen you: brilliant musicians, smart suits, good rapport, but for Christ's sake sort out your sound! Colin, we could not here what you were saying nor could we hear The Songbirds—they may as well have not been there. Jet's guitars were completely out of level with the others.
Just constructive criticism (I've been in the music industry for 30 years plus). You are still the slickest group since the '60s, so don't let this pensioner ruin your career.
Keep on rockin'.
Steve Wheatley
P.S. The above comments were aired by the majority of the punters in the foyer after the show!
From Ralph Gowling, who helps book "Me and My Shadows" dates:
Yes Billie's set suffered badly as a result of the sound problems. The Songbirds in particular could barely be heard. Billie did her best to rise above the problems but of course it was not satisfactory and this will be politely made clear to the theatre. Theatre sound systems are proving to be a big headache because with the high costs of theatres these days you are often left in the hands of relatively inexperienced technicians who are not fully acquainted with the equipment. The problem at The Stables was compounded by the fact they had a new sound system and that to keep the costs of the show down they insisted on the artists using their own technician instead of Mac Poole. The theatres say they cannot spend when people don't support shows, so it becomes a vicious circle. It would be wrong to decry The Stables too much because they try hard within their budget to put on good shows and the theatre is widely rated as one of the most prestigious on the circuit. You only have to look at who they put on and how many shows they stage. Many other theatres rarely touch '60s shows apart from the Solid Silvers and are dark several nights of the week. Costs, costs, costs. That is why I have Mac at the controls on all the main shows at Amersham and see venues like that as the answer to keeping '60s music playing live.
Posted by: Greg Ogarrio | 14 May 2007 at 07:11 PM