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Fitting Tribute

MANCHESTER ONLINE - 19 November 2005

AN exuberant crowd of Mancunians dancing like their lives depended on it and singing into the rafters of the Academy at the top of their voices took advantage of a no holds barred celebration of The Stone Roses.

If ever there was a physical expression of what the band still mean to people of all ages, then this was it.
When I Am The Resurrection gets it’s predicted turn at indie discos, even wedding receptions these days, the reaction among 30 something men is beyond raucous and when four completely unknown characters with vague similarities to the original band get onstage and play a greatest hits set note perfect, the reaction provokes even more absurd moves among people who should know better.

I Wanna Be Adored kicks off with it’s brooding bass line before the trademark John Squire guitar riff kicks in. Our host for the evening, a less than familiar Ian Brown-a-like parades around the stage, with well practiced simian qualities, and makes a few well timed references to Manchester and calls upon the crowd to “Ave it!”
Mani

The Complete Mani does his best to take off the stage manners of his studied subject and the aforementioned Squire is suitably aloof and musically accomplished in mimicking the genuine article. It is only the Reni of the band that appears to have some trouble in living up to the legacy of an amazing drummer, not that anyone cared.

Elephant Stone continues to build the atmosphere and Sally Cinnamon, Waterfall and Ten Storey Love Song provide even more chances to relive the glory days of a sadly missed phenomenon. The prowess of the band is demonstrated with Fools Gold and Love Spreads before they bring the house down with I Am The Resurrection and nobody can escape the urge to join in the party.

The Complete Stone Roses are to be recommended to any Roses fan, even the most hardened cynic will find themselves wearing out trainer rubber quicker than they can say Spike Island. 

This review was written by Rob Allen @ http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk all copyright on this review remains the property of manchesteronline.co.uk. For a direct link to this story click here.

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