I went to six of the shows and was disappointed by the repetition of the same set time after time (although "Web of Lies" was added at the second night in Nottingham). However saying that I immensely enjoyed the tour no matter the set list (what true fan wouldn't). During the gigs I got to talk to the band a lot of times and they took the time to talk to me also. Needless to say I got most of my collection of CD's and 7" singles signed by the various members. Also on the first night at Wolves (my 3rd gig) I met Alan Hewitt for a drink in the pub before the concert, chatting about the tour solo projects and the fact his Telephone no. has been printed in the Mechanics Tour Programme!!! (Not something he was overjoyed with). Then I went to watch the concert.

During this tour I have grown to like the ever energetic support band "Blessed Union of Souls" and from audience reaction got the impression I wasn't the only one. After the support finished a 50 min set at 20:20 there was a 25 min interval to buy merchandise, get drinks and even have a chat to the support and get their autographs.

When the Mechanics came on stage at 20:45 there was an almighty uproar from the crowd, then the music really began. Silent Running served perfectly as an opening number allowing the band to ease into their parts, Paul Carrack's vocals keeping perfect harmony. Then the tempo was increased dramatically with the second number "Seeing is Believing"; Paul Young putting effort into the song and doing a dance I can only assume is of his own devising.

The show continued with the usual professional performance normally associated with the Mechanics. Then there was a surprise for most of the audience (at my first gig on the tour I was pleasantly surprised by this aswell), "Eyes of Blue" the opening track and first single from Paul Carrack's new and successful "Blue Views" album. The rest of the show was reminiscent of the '95 Over the U.K. tour with most tracks coming from the Beggar album. Other tracks not played on the previous tour were "Nobody's Perfect" and "Miracle '96" (although they played the original in '95). With these extra songs and the exclusion of tracks such as "The Ghost of Sex and You", "Mea Culpa", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Web of Lies" (most nights), the set remained only 100 mins at most, even as short as 85mins once.

By "I Can't Dance" the crowd was wanting to stand, and on 4 of the 6 concerts I went to they did. "Living Years" soon put everyone back in their seats and was given a rapturous round of applause at the end, some people even giving standing ovations. They were to remain standing as "Miracle '96" filled the hall and the majority of the crowd got up and sang along. The version was extended for different lengths depending upon the level of audience participation given, then off they went.

For the encore "Word of Mouth" and "Over My Shoulder" were dished up. The latter being much more suited to the encore than it's middle order position on the '95 tour. Both of these required more audience participation, the level again determining the length of the song to an extent. At Wolves on the first night during Word of Mouth, I was standing at the front and middle of the stage and noticed Gary Wallis (who at Nottingham 1st night I'd directed the wrong way to Boots the chemist) give me a quick nod of recognition. Then outside after the show he asked if I'd be there the next night. I would and so he said will you be near the front, again the answer "Yes". And he offered to give me both drumsticks, I quickly accepted. So at the end of Wolves night two Gary duly came to the front of the stage with the rest of the band and handed me both drumsticks, which I thanked him several times after for.

I then saw them at Derby where after the show they all went to the D.R.I. (Derby Royal Infirmary) to visit a terminally ill patient in his mid to late twenties who is a Mechanics fan, not an easy task for anyone to know what to say or do, except I offer my greatest sympathies to him whoever he may be.

The last night I saw them was at Leicester De Montfort Hall on 11th April 1996. I was a mixture of emotions with happiness that I'd seen them perform so many times and sadness that what had been part of my life for the past month was about to end for an indefinite period. After the show I waited to individually thank the band for six very enjoyable nights. I had already thanked the support band's lead singer Elliot Sloan, who said it wouldn't be the same and that they'd have to get a life size picture of me and put it in one of the seats on the front row to make them feel at home for the rest of the tour!! With Mike and Tim Renwick a quick Thank you to them both and I'll see you next time was in order with quick questions about future Mechanics dates. One answer Mike gave was to say that if the Genesis album wasn't out until next spring there may be another Mechanics tour (not necessarily an album, but possibly) late Autumn and Winter of '96 going into '97. As regards the Genesis album Mike had told me at Derby that it was complete apart from vocals and he had a couple of "not too famous" people in mind for the part, more work on the music and lyrics may be done if needs are such. I then said my goodbyes to Gary and questioned him on his future plans, he responded by saying he had nothing concrete, but next time the Mechanics tour he is hopeful of being with them, as for Genesis he said he'd be willing to do the drumming, but with a smile on his face said he hadn't contributed yet! I wished him all the best and said see you later.

Next to say goodbye to was Paul Carrack. He had been, along with Gary, the most considerate of persons on the tour. He had stopped and talked to me for 5-15mins on several occasions and this was one of them. When I asked him of future plans he said he would see how sales and singles from his present album went and then when he felt it could go no further, he would like to begin work on another album. He said he would like to do one for the end of '96, but said if not it wouldn't be long after that, also adding he hoped to do a proper accompanying tour.

Paul Young was last and came up with yet another memorable comment for me "Thanks for coming to all of our shows" that and the comment at Nottingham that "It's gone very dark out here" while wearing sun glasses after the show. I asked him about his solo album and he said he'd done a few tracks, but wasn't sure if he'd ever complete an album as of yet, but said he'd try of course. I said that if he did it would sell to many Mechanics fans and he commented that he'd see and he hoped he could complete it as it's something he wants to do.

My many thanks go to Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack, Gary Wallis, Paul Young, Tim Renwick, Dale Newman, Alan Hewitt and specially Elliot Sloan and everyone else who I met and talked to at any of the concerts for your time, trust and kindness,

Osman.