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UK Legends Squeeze Have Several Reasons to Celebrate at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Squeeze had many good reasons to celebrate when they returned to the Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, August 31, 2024 as part of their highly acclaimed and continuing 50th anniversary tour. First and foremost - making it to the momentous half century mark was never guaranteed for these purveyors of mostly power pop perfection as they endured two significant breakups and numerous personnel changes over the years.
Squeeze made a triumphant return to the Ryman in 2024.
But, some constants have remained throughout - especially since this current reformation began with determination in 2007. First among those would be the presence of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook - the songwriting team who drove Squeeze into the mainstream in the early 1980's. This talented duo were often hailed by a myriad of music critics as the next Lennon & McCartney. Now, D&T are heaping a ton of praise of their own on the current touring version of their long running and much loved band - with both calling it their favorite and best-sounding incarnation yet in recent published reports.
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze - the birthday boy - at the Ryman Auditorium.
We can't disagree and won't argue the point. Modern-era Squeeze (Chris Difford: Rhythm guitar and vocals; Glenn Tilbrook: Lead guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Stephen Large: Keyboards and backing vocals; Simon Hanson: Drums, percussion, and backing vocals; Steve Smith: Percussion, rhythm guitar, and vocals; Melvin Duffy: Pedal and lap steel guitars, and dulcimer; Owen Biddle: Bass and backing vocals; and, Danica Dora: Keyboards and backing vocals) has ballooned into an intelligently designed eight-piece swelling beyond the more familiar quintet setup presented in their heyday. With their longest-tenured keyboardist and drummer in place combined with the inclusion of an extra percussionist, two Nashville cats and the return of a female artist to the fold gives this current take on Squeeze more finesse and flexibility than they have ever had allowing them to push the boundaries with forays into Americana and even the jam genres. The added harmonies, crying pedal steel and whimiscal accordion spotlights all work to make this a much different band from their foundational punk rock roots as displayed on their debut album U.K. Squeeze released in 1978.
Chris Difford at the Ryman Auditorium.
Still, their real beginnings that date back even further in time were more of a pop-centric consideration. Now, Squeeze is preparing to release their very first full length demo Trixie's that is an album more in this style of lost songs from 50 years back. They have spent much of the past year revisiting and recording this project with producer (and Squeeze bass player) Owen Biddle that presents the first tracks ever penned by Difford and Tilbrook. Two great sounding numbers - "You Get the Feeling" and "Trixie's Hell on Earth" - from the anticipated platter were played in Music City. Another new one called "One Beautiful Summer" - about finding unlikely love again late in life - from a second record of more recent originals that will also soon see the light of day proved to the packed Ryman house that Squeeze is just as fresh and as vital as they have ever been. They were still making new fans in Nashville, too. We observed many youngsters who weren't even born when Argy Bargy was all the rage dancing and singing all the lyrics to popular tracks and deep cuts. On the other end of the spectrum, we also met a pair of recently retired American tourists who bought tickets to see a show at the famed venue and they came away as just minted, enthusiastic fans of the New Wave pioneers.
Glenn Tilbrook, Owen Biddle and Stephen Large in Nashville.
It was Glenn Tilbrook's 67 birthday in Nashville and the frontman who sang and played superb lead guitar on many fan favorites including - "Hourglass", "Up the Junction", "Annie Get Your Gun", "In Quintessence", "Some Fantastic Place", "If I Didn't Love You", "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)", "Another Nail in My Heart", "Goodbye Girl" and "Is That Love - probably couldn't have been more pleased. After declaring that there was "no place I would rather be" he received a cake as the crowd sung the traditional anthem during the concluding "Black Coffee in Bed" that sent everyone home energized, amped up and anxiously awaiting the next time Squeeze comes to town. Chris Difford offered that might be next year again on Glenn's birthday. Someone check the holds!
Simon Hanson, Melvin Duffy, Chris Difford, Danica Dora, Stephen Large and Owen Biddle in Nashville.
Finally, it was a family affair in Nashville. Opening for Squeeze was Leon Tilbrook who said he was better known in his personal circle as the leader of "Beautiful Landing". Not surprisingly, Glenn's son was a personable artist who did sound a bit like his dad. But, he really injected the spirit of one Jools Holland into the proceedings making this a brilliant move for him to start the show. This young, likable and clearly up the to task chap was presented with an unbelievable opportunity and he made the most of his time in the spotlight getting fans to sing and clap. Leon - armed with just an acoustic guitar and boundless enthusiam - presented a solid set of originals and covers that included a nod to Willie Nelson with a fine version of "Funny How Time Slips Away" followed by Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" to round out a most memorable slot at the revered Ryman Auditorium - the historic venue that many consider to be one of the best sounding rooms in the country.
Leon Tilbrook impressed in his opening slot at the Mother Church.
Related Links:
For more information on SQUEEZE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Squeeze |
Beautiful Landing |
Squeeze and The Psychedelic Furs Are Memorable in Music City |
Ryman Auditorium
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