Hector and Marg find themselves in Birmingham, primarily to see Jon Anderson (Yes, Jon & Vangelis), accompanied by The Band Geeks, a Yes tribute band he considered to be so good, he joined them. Our visit to Symphony Hall is related below, as ever, there had to be Curry afore.
It is ten years since Hector last set foot in Birmingham. Four venues have been reviewed in the formative years of Curry-Heute, all in the city centre, all decidedly Mainstream. Today, the opperchancity to jump on a bus and head south to Ladypool Road in Sparkbrook, the heart of the so called – Balti Triangle. The challenge: to find a Curry more – Desi – than – Balti.
Alighting at the northern apex on Stratford Rd., we headed south along Ladypool Rd. passing a host of possible venues.
Oh to have this many options, on one stretch, in one’s own city.
Hector had chosen today’s venue in advance: Aapke Meizban (154 Ladypool Rd., Sparkbrook, Birmingham B12 8JS England), which did not open until 16.00.
A refreshment was had at nearby Cafe Afreem whilst we waited for the doors to open.
The first customers of the day, we had a choice of tables. The brighter area nearer the window felt like the better option. Marg was immediately impressed by the décor, certainly unique.
Our lady hostess brought the menu. Desi Karahi – Lamb On the Bone (Full) (£37.50) was quickly agreed at a – medium-plus – Spice Level. Marg raised an eyebrow, but she should know by now, unless one asks for something silly, a Curry is not going to cause discomfort.
A Roti (£1.00) for Marg, a Naan (£1.50) for Hector. Tap water would do, Birmingham lies on the correct side of the English chalk lands.
The cost of – the kilo – reflects the current price across the nation, Bread prices should be described as – sensible.
The menu suggested a thirty minute wait for a Desi Karahi. Being the only customers, there was no surprise when our food arrived after twenty.
The Bread was served whole, as it should surely always be. Perforations in the Naan had restricted its rising, Still, puffy blisters were on the verge of forming. A decent Naan, between us we would manage all but a scrap. That, of course, would be after Marg ate all of her Wholemeal Roti.
Desi Karahi – Lamb On the Bone
Sliced Bullet Chillies, Ginger Strips, and Coriander, topped the kilo. A mountain of Meat, but we had starved ourselves in preparation for the moment.
On serving, the abundance of further Bullet Chillies cut lengthways, became apparent. I assured Marg that these do not have a kick, but still, the majority would be left for me, as would the pieces of Lamb on-the-bone.
Minimal Masala, clearly Tomato-based, some Meat Pulp was in there too. The lack of Oil on the base of the karahi was noted. However, once my first helping was secured, there was no escape. One needs Oil, therein lies so much Flavour.
The Seasoning was not pronounced at the start, but was not lacking. The underlying Flavours were therefore not immediately apparent, but built in time. Tomatoey, but thankfully far from Charsi, was noted early. This Karahi was something new, the familiar Glasgow / Manchester Flavours were not here.
Marg was first to find a Sucky Bone, mine arrived eventually. At times there was an eruption of Flavour from the Meat, giving back, always a positive. Comfort eating, especially when one realised the Seasoning was growing.
Our Host enquired about the need for more Bread. Time to let slip that we had one day in Birmingham for Curry and had chosen Aapke Meizban.
I did my research – was proudly announced.
The kilo between two, Lamb Karahi, we would manage all the Meat, but there was a mutual decision to abandon the Bullet Chillies which seemed to be never ending. Marg:
An interesting mixture of meat, with some on-the-bone, as well as an abundance of coriander, green bullet chillies, and strips of ginger. I enjoyed the more gristly pieces of lamb from the bone with the marrow, as well as the smaller tender pieces. The sauce was oily and rich, with plenty of flavour. I used my fresh Roti to mop up the minimal sauce and pieces of lamb. My whole mouth was tingling throughout the meal, and by the end, it was only my lips. I used some of the doughy Naan to finish my meal.
Overall, a wonderful experience.
Wonderful – feels a bit excessive. This was a worthy Desi Karahi, but a good bit short of attaining the – wow! – status.
Marg celebrating marrow bone and gristle, what was happening here?
The Bill
£40.00
The Aftermath
Introductions were made at the counter as I paid. Our Hostess was Aysha who said – lovely meeting you.
Unfortunately, further Curry-Heute conversation was curtailed as a group walked in and needed attending to.
2026 Menu
Jon Anderson + The Band Geeks
July 5th, 2023, the last I time saw the definitive Yes line-up. Something significant had happened on July 4th, and Sri Lanka would have to wait until the 6th. Marg was on board, just as well. Subsequent – Yes – tours without the Maestro have been shunned, though with hindsight, Benoit David must have been a good stand in. His albums with Canadian band – Mystery – are played oft in Hector’s House.
The reason we are in Birmingham to see Jon Anderson, and not Glasgow, shall become apparent in due course. There was also the knowledge that at 81, it was unlikely there would be another opperchancity to see Jon live. Now, or never.
Seated in the balcony, outwith the effective range of the Oppo, photos are correspondingly poor. In fact, the camera is visibly dying.
The Firebird Suite (Igor Stravinsky) announced the band taking to the stage, a 19.30 start, no hanging about. Straight into Close To The Edge, a twenty minute epic, might as well get the first of three this evening out of the way.
In 2008, Jon had to leave Yes because of throat problems. All down to dry ice, but that was diagnosed years later. Why he never returned remains an unknown to this commentator. Never the most powerful vocalist, compared to say Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio), his style is his own. Unique, for once is appropriate. It was clear from the off this evening, his voice was fine, and with daily gaps in the touring schedule, recovery time built in.
The Band Geeks, from USA are: Andy Graziano, guitar, Richie Castellano, bass, Phil Castellano, keyboards and guitar, Chris Clark, main keyboards, Andy Ascolese, drums. For me, multi-instrumentalist Richie Castellano, the founder of The Band Geeks, had the hardest task his evening. He mostly played the classic black Rickenbacker bass throughout the show, but how does one step in for the much missed Chris Squire? Squire, along with Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report) and Tony Reeves (Colosseum, Greenslade) I have long regarded as my group of three finest bass players ever seen live. OK, I must add Eberhard Weber. Chris Squire had one attribute that stood him apart, I could never predict his next note. The replication of his high-register melodic bass lines and countermelody, would make or break the show for me this evening.
I get up, I get down – Richie did a decent job.
Back to – The Yes Album – for Perpetual Change, and despite having seen the set-list already, I was trying to recall how much of – Yessongs – would be performed tonight. Two so far.
Counties and Countries – an original composition from the album – True – by those assembled this evening. True, the cd of which is presently lost in my soon to be improved filing system. On first listening to – True – I could not help but smile. The musical phrasings were not quite borrowed, but certainly inspired by the early Yes albums.
And You And I (Close To The Edge) ticked a box, but at the expense of accepting there would be no Yours Is No Disgrace (The Yes Album). Whilst Andy Graziano switched ably between acoustic and electric guitars to recapture the sounds of Steve Howe, the twin keyboard players did not do justice to Rick Wakeman. This was always a standout song in the set, more oomph required. Back to Andy, no pedal steel guitar, just standard slide, thank goodness. I always felt that the pedal steel 
always got away from Steve, as it literally did once on Cruise To The Edge, we were reliably informed by Nick Barret (Pendragon) on board ship, last year. And Yes, Marg and Hector were sporting our Cruise To The Edge t-shirts this evening, which did draw positive affirmation.
Giving Is Giving – a song from the next Band Geeks album. Whilst it was good to hear the future of this ensemble, this was at the expense of a classic. Why nothing from – Jon & Vangelis? The captive audience would surely have loved it.
The first set was drawn to a close by Soon (Relayer), the glorious conclusion to – The Gates Of Delirium. Fitting.
A cup of tea – was to be had during the interval, declared Jon.
Awaken (Going For The One) kicked off the second set, the piano intro, almost a call to prayer. This album, I purchased on the day of its release in 1977, quickly recorded, it was then played on a portable cassette player as the sun set in the Campsies. Hector was guarding a Roman Fort, the set for the BBC’s – The Eagle of The Ninth. The midges must have loved it, they left me alone.
Awaken, my favourite Yes song, played true to the original, Jon on harp, all the percussive sounds and the big organ sequence, which could never have been played loud enough. No – Wonderous Stories, that might have finished me emotionally.
I’ve Seen All Good People (The Yes Album), the penultimate – Yessongs – track to feature, so no Long Distance Runaround (Fragile) and subsequent bass solo. Nothing from Fragile until the finale, that album was not their best.
Once Upon a Dream (True), the final extended composition this evening, and the standout track on the Band Geeks album. Again, this sounded like – Yes.
Just Jon and Andy with acoustic guitar, a dexterous performance, percussive taps as per original, a tune I knew so well, but what was it, where was it going? Leaves of Green (Tales From Topographic Oceans) – the final segment of – The Ancient – or – Side 3, as I have always called it. Not Side 3. This was a joy, the song without the oh too demanding, extended, pedal steel guitar intro. Another opperchancity for Hector to remind the reader that I bought this album on the day of its release, and saw all four sides performed that very December evening of 1973 in Glasgow.
Time to rock and roll, well almost. Starship Trouper (The Yes Album), this was suitably relayed and extended, each band member being given a moment to star without interrupting the flow. There was recognition from the audience when Andy sneaked in a few bars from Black Sabbath, once of this parish.
Roundabout (Fragile) had everyone on their feet. The hit single?
There was lots of waving throughout the gig. How many lumps in the throat at the end. People around us were going / had been to more than one show.
I shall be buying the next Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks album.