Wembley, so quick, this was it - the end of the tour.

I had intended taking some photos of Riverway at Wembley but on seeing the security guy right in front of me, had second thoughts, as he didn’t appear too accommodating and I didn’t want to risk losing my camera before Marti even came on stage. I did manage to sneak one right at the end but that was all. However Laureen who was sitting right behind me chanced her luck and has kindly agreed to me using a few of her pics in my review, thanks Laureen ;-)

This was the first time I had been to Wembley Arena and I was taken aback at the height of the stage. Maybe just with the seats being so close to the front it made it seem worse than it really was but I didn’t mind.

I couldn’t have been better placed for Marti’s finale to his tour. Oh how I wanted to cringe tonight – front row centre again !

The lights faded and after the nifty wee dancey tune capped with a thunderous crash Wembley momentarily fell silent. The curtain was swept aside and everyone was on their feet and screaming. Once again Marti was dancing around right from the word go.

The Wets classics Sweet Little Mystery and Wishing I Was Lucky ensured we were all nicely energised and raring to go for the rest of the gig. All I Ever Wanted and the ever so Marti-esque dance routine was enough to fascinate the crowd goading more screams from them.

A pity there wasn’t a Mulder & Scully presence for Did You Ever Wake Up but its spacey aura sent an air of enchantment throughout the arena before a mean and moody Marti was unleashed during London Life. It’s just one of those dramatic songs that Marti gets right into and takes his audience with him. Many a train journey to and from work I have spent relaxed, listening to this track, especially the first four minutes of it.

Nobody could say no to the irresistible urge to vigorously clap along in time to the punchy spiced up East of the River beat. This is definitely a must for any live concert.

My Love’s tranquil dulcet tones are so pure, you can close your eyes and let the music take control and soothe your troubles away. I had to smirk though, while quietly laughing to myself, at the line ‘When I think that I’m a colour then I am blue’, well I can’t really see him being green (Rangers / Celtic) can you ? ha ha ! ;-)

Was I delighted or what to see Marti sit down virtually in front of me for Fire and Rain. Not only did he take a well earned seat on the edge of the stage but he lay down again. Well, it’s not everyday you get to lie down on the job is it ? The song is so similar in style to This Moment is OK it’s no wonder I love this so much too.

Goodnight Girl was greeted with a warm reception and a sea of waving hands aptly followed by Marti’s "Uncle Joe’s" version of The Beatles’ tune With A Little Help From My Friends.

I was totally engrossed in Close To You, I get lost in it every time I hear it and live just makes it even more stunning.

This Moment is OK has a sound which is so uplifting it makes you melt as you listen to it. I just shut my eyes and drift away. Don't ask me (I have no idea why) but that 2nd verse is just the business – ‘spiders on the floor . . . ‘who'll be the first to walk out the door’ etc. I could listen to this song forever !!!

Some striking notes from Marcus on the synthesizer sparked off Marti’s shuffle once again for the opening of The Missing Sound only to be continued with even more exaggerated antics during Lip Service.

The second I recognised New York Vibe I couldn't help but clap, dance and sing along to it and that was just while Marti was still grooving around the stage before starting the vocals. Watching the backing singers is infectious if they are dancing too.

In Marti's own inimitable way I Can Give You Everything is so captivating, the whole of Wembley was getting funky. So there I was merrily singing along to ‘I Can Give You Everything’ (yes, the new version) when I thought I’d take a breather. Well, to be honest I’m not sure whether I had lost track of the new version or if Marti was singing different words. Either way I was having a little time out waiting till a more familiar bit to join in again when I became aware that Marti was looking at me at this point as if to say, do you not know the words. Knowing him it was he who had sent me off track in the first place, ha ha. Thank you Marti !

The raucous opening of Love Is All Around grasps every individual’s attention and once more we are all as keen as ever to sing along. The penultimate song was fast approaching as was Marti’s cue to leave the stage.

Marti seemed to be waving a lot up to his left hand side. I do recall catching site of a couple of folk out the corner of my eye way up in an empty section of the stand to Marti’s left, right in line with the stage. However I wasn’t really paying attention but I later discovered that it had been Chris Difford and none other than Marti’s good woman Eileen. No wonder he looked over that way on a number of occasions smiling and waving, ah how sweet. That would also explain Marti being better behaved language and crowd provocation wise tonight.

The minute or so break seemed to linger more than usual keeping us in suspense, then finally the band and Marti bounded out one more time for the encore.

A tinkling introduction to I’ve Been Around The World had everyone spellbound only to be enlivened by the booming drums and not forgetting Marti’s teasing as ever opening remarks, just as in Sheffield. Things soon leveled out into more familiar territory for the song and of course Marti wanted to teach everyone to sing.

Temptation’s semi-acoustic format on the tour turned out to be very popular and was ideal for the fans to join in as and when they felt like it.

There was obvious triumph for Marti during Temptation on the last night, he was so so happy. As the end of the song was drawing near you could see the sheer elation and joy on Marti’s face. He was grinning from ear to ear knowing he was coming to the end of the tour and thinking 'YES', I've done it. He may not have sold out the arenas but it was a challenge he took on and considering the venues were more than double the capacity of where he had played on his first solo tour, he did brilliantly. Shifting over 40,000 tickets is no mean feat and the fans made the atmosphere no less than what we expected each night and I think Marti can be very proud of what he has achieved.

As always, Marti got all his band down to the front for a final bow. Great band Marti they all seemed to fit together well and they became more at ease with each other as the tour progressed. Before saying his goodbyes he wished us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year then sadly that was THE END !

A special thanks to my generous friend Ann McKinnon for allowing me to use her great full stage shots from Wembley which really shows off the brilliant lighting displays.

To help finish the film in my camera, London yet again was the ideal city to be in, with some spectacular views from and around the London Eye. The last day I then turned to some furry creatures again - no, not Marti's hat, but the squirrels in Kensington Gardens. I tell you, they're worse trying to catch standing still for a picture than Marti is and that's sayin' something !!! ha ha ;-)

* * *   * * *   * * *

I was surprised he didn't do Hard To Cry or The River but I wasn't disappointed (apart from no Angel Eyes and She Can Lean On Me, but he can't do everything). If anything I was even more pleased in what had made it into the set list - This Moment is OK, London Life, Fire & Rain, The Missing Sound, new song My Love and most of the other Smile songs that were retained from the last tour. It would have been nice to hear the likes of Rain On My Parade and fun with Universal Bus and After All live but alas it's unlikely to have b sides and samplers being given a big production and coming out live on tour. Oh and what happened to Out of the Blue again, maybe next time ?

At the end of the day, as has been said before, so many of the songs can sound very different live and are taken to a different level. No matter what songs are sung we can be guaranteed of an excellent night out.

The hometown audience in Glasgow had got Marti off to a fantastic start and we are always a hard act to follow but all the concerts I went to were fantastic with Glasgow, Birmingham and Sheffield standing out most on a par with each other. It’s been virtually impossible to separate them, Birmingham and Sheffield because the atmosphere was that little bit more intense and Glasgow obviously, because it is always special in our homeland and it was the first night of the tour.

A Kensington Garden's Squirrel

I don’t think I’ve ever met so many fans (old and new) on one tour, it was great to meet everyone.

Trish, Gill & Bo, Wil, Monique, Emma, Denise, Stoozie, Dougie, Eva & Kev, Gayle, Laureen, Mia, Christine & Tim, Ann, Callum, Kerry & Sharon, Elaine, Pauline, Lynda, Yvonne, Anja W, Sarah (from Germany), Jul, Joe, Debs & Al, Sue & Rachael, Sue A, Bev, Linda, Andrea, Chris E, Jan & Alan, June & Richard, Sasha, Tracy, Phil, Sandra, Janet, Charlotte, Jill - again, who I’d all met before.

Newbies - Moos, Cindy, Gina & mum, Debbie & hubby, Jo A, Sarah C, Melody, Shaz, Pam, Anja G, Marion, Suzi, Shell & last but by no means least Veronique.

Apologies if I’ve missed anyone out from the above, my memory ain’t quite what it used to be especially if Marti is involved in some way to distract me.

Well, that was the tour over but boy did he produce the goods and make his presence known. "The SMILE Tour" definitely lived up to its name both for Marti and all the happy smiling punters going home each night. WELL DONE & THANK YOU MARTI !!!

I had one of the times of my life that fortnight. Thanks to the Dutch clan & Emma for putting up with me, we had some great fun girls. I just can’t wait to do it all again !

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