The VITAL SIGNS Greatest Hits Tour 1998. Birmingham Noshahi Pakistan Conference Centre. 4th December 98.

"How well do you appreciate music?" someone once asked me, "What do you mean?" I replied, not knowing exactly what he meant or what he expected me to say. "Well, who’s your favourite band that you listen to most?" he asked again. This time I replied with: "Vital Signs, I guess." He nodded with acknowledgement. This in itself shows just how far Vital Signs have come to be recognised as mature musicians, and can be appreciated by people other than teenage screaming girls in the front-seats.

But teenage screaming girls was exactly what was expected at the Noshahi Conference Centre in Birmingham, on a cold 4th December evening.and the Noshahi folks did nothing about the heating in the hall either!! Still with apparent warm-up bands such as D/I/P (local Bhangra band from Wolverhampton) and LEGACY (Pop/Bhangra band from Manchester), who provided fine entertainment until those screaming girls could no longer hold on to their dupattas in anticipation for VITAL SIGNS.

The band hit-it off right away with songs like "Dil Dil Pakistan", "Woh Kon Thi" and "Do Pal Ka Jeevan." The band included the usual line-up consisting of Junaid Jamshed, Shahzad Hassan, Rohail Hyatt and Aamir Zaki on guitars. This is Aamir's second appearance with the Signs, he last appeared in 1994. For the next two to three hours or so, VITAL SIGNS gave a rundown of their very best music.

If the band got the crowds to sway with "Aitebar," and feet tapping with "Har Chehra" (incidently a song not often performed live by the Signs), they also got the crowd standing up and waving their arms with "Sanwali." All in all there was something for everyone to enjoy, and just as well, since people from all ages and backgrounds were present at the Conference Centre.

But it was the performance of the relatively new song "Maula" that got most of the audience stop dancing around and listen, since for many people this was a new track never before heard of. And it sounded very good live. In between talking to the audience and a few choice words from Shahzad, the band then played songs such as "Yarian" (which Aamir played the guitar on so well), "Challa" and "Mera Dil," amongst others.

Junaid also got an applause for mentioning the fact (which we all had noticed ourselves) that the venue could have been better, and that the reason for them playing with so much passion and with all their heart, was all down to the fans out in the audience, who by now had warmed to the performance so much that they quickly forgot the fact that there was little heating in the hall!

At this point I must mention Aamir Zaki, who as many people by now must know, is one of the truly great guitarists in Pakistan. He has had a solo album released named "Signature" which showcases his musical talents, but also does a fine job supporting VITAL SIGNS in their concerts. One hopes the Signs could persuade him to become their permanent guitarist on future albums.

The show was wrapped-up with a second round of "Sanwali" and then "Gori", but just as the audience were ready to get up and start to leave after Rohail said thank you and goodbye, we were called back when the band decided to play one last song: "Jeetain Gay." which did justice to the whole concert in the end. And in fact, "Jeetain Gay" was, surprisingly, the only song sung from the Hum Tum album, which was quite strange. Nevertheless, it was a concert the will always be remembered as one of VITAL SIGNS' finest.

But, people are still wandering when they will release their next album. When I met the band a week before at the Birmingham NEC Mega Mela, Shahzad did mention the fact that the new album will be released next year (he promises) and will sound very different to anything they’ve done before. Until then we have four of their brilliant albums to listen to while we wait!


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