Adored - April 2012 rehearsal

Yeah!

I've been watching a lot of old Roses footage since the sad passing of Gary 'Mani' Mountfield. The Made of Stone documentary, Blackpool Live, the Snub TV footage from the Hacienda, the Other Side of Midnight performance of Waterfall, reunion shows from Parr Hall, Heaton Park, Coachella and Madison Square Garden, old interviews where the Roses are ice cold cool and TV appearances where they look like the perfect band. All glorious stuff.

One video has stood out in particular in the last week. It's footage of the reformed Roses, filmed in Super 8 style on a mobile phone by Shane Meadows on his first visit to the band's rehearsal studio on 18th April 2012. Meadows credits the moment as when he realised how best to film the Roses intimate working relationship.

The 5-minutes of black and white footage begins with Reni already in an effortlessly playful groove on his drums, while Mani finishes tuning his bass. Reni's eyes are closed, lost in the music as the camera cuts to Mani who begins the iconic riff of I Wanna Be Adored. 

Ian Brown, hair looking good, camouflage jacket, mumbles sounds into his mic. Mani stops and then restarts his magnificent rumble. Squire walks into the background and picks up a guitar. Reni keeps his groove going, funk jazz fusion beats over the Adored bassline.   

Before long Squire is sprinkling magical nuggets, causing Mani to grin beautifully. Brown shakes a tambourine. Squire, with impeccable, yet, messy hair, is now seated, coaxing some feedback, wearing a cool pair of Nike trainers and a stylish over-shirt. Brown smiles. Like the rest of us, he can only really watch on and marvel. Maybe he was thinking 'why the hell did we leave it so long?' ... Me too, Ian, me too! To Brown's credit, he lets this beautiful jam flow on. 

Squire plays with some effects; reverb, delay and echo, moving with ease up and down the neck of his guitar. Reni is beaming, at one with his drums, Mani is locked into the bass riff, Ian Brown stands and looks on in awe.

At 4-minutes in, Meadows focuses on Reni and the way he moves around his kit is astonishing. I can't help but think this guy hasn't recorded enough beats in his lifetime. There must be some old jams from the Second Coming sessions gathering dust in vaults. And what other footage from the rehearsals does Meadows have stashed away? I'd love to get access and go digging!

Then we cut to Mani's bass, the camera moves up to capture him in the zone, lips pursed and then he lets out a beautiful 'yeah'. God it makes me smile and brings happy tears to my eyes.

Meadows moves round and Reni starts showing off for Mani, looking him in the eyes as he adds some more moves to his grooves, shaking his head, laughing with Mani who never strays from his classic bass riff. Squire is still busy coaxing and conjuring gorgeous psychedelic gems from his guitar.

The footage ends, aptly, from behind Mani, his view of the room and the band he loved so much. The rogue Rose who anchored everything, allowing the exceptional Reni and Squire to do their thing. What a band! 

Enjoy this footage. 

Rest in Peace Mani. Forever Adored.

A beautiful tribute by John Squire