|
Radio Starlion - Gig ReviewsWritten by Jeanette Howlett |
|
|
|
Radio Starlion - Gig ReviewsWritten by Jeanette Howlett |
|
I hope that my passion for a wide range of music comes across in my work for Radio Starlion. Seeing live music and sharing the experience is integral to that passion, hence these gig reviews, which I hope you enjoy. Recent reviews are below. Earlier reviews are accessible on the Gig Archive page.
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
THE HAND + DEAN McPHEE + LAZY BONES
THE ART OF TEA, BARLOW MOOR ROAD, DIDSBURY, MANCHESTER M20 6TW, FRIDAY 08/08/08
A unique date in this millennium (08/08/08!) and another unique gig. Oddly, I've only seen one other gig at The Art of Tea - Aiden Smith et al (see earlier gig review 07/10/07) - despite living just a couple of minutes' walk away and despite many visits to the lovely cafe and fantastic record and book shop all under the same roof. I've even had a couple of pictures framed there! The gigs always seem to coincide with other commitments and I'm always sad to miss them because I know they're always going to be great. So I was really thrilled that I was going to be around for this one - and naturally in turn was equally thrilled by the gig itself.
Lazy Bones opened with a couple of numbers. I have indeed seen him before too (see earlier gig review 18/01/08) so he's a known pleasure. His acoustic guitar picking is clear, rhythmic and flawless, with echoes of Spanish and classical guitar here and there. His lyrics are thoughtful and interesting and through them he seems to translate the music into words. The very short but sweet set from him this time seemed especially reflective, and was a lovely intro for the other great acts to follow. Do you know, I still don't know his real name!
Dean McPhee was up next. Of course, I'd seen him at Hedgefest less than a week before so I knew I was in for a treat. His is not an obvious use of the electric guitar - oft times wild and showy, the electric guitar seems to have been tamed by Dean and taken by him on a picturesque walk - on a loose lead! All his pieces are instrumental and appear to be meandering at first but sooner or later it becomes obvious that Dean is their gently disciplining, kind and respectful master! Subtle use of echo pedals throws a further element into the intriguing mix. The music is quite difficult to box and that's probably another point in its favour - close your eyes and imagine John Williams and Jimmy Page getting together with Tangerine Dream and you're almost there!
The Hand were a delightful end to my seemingly especially long week - and this lovely gig. They look like they should be American somehow - something about their stance and musical nuances, plus the banjo brings resonance from Appalachian mountain music. They're not though! They're from Bristol - a place I have nice associations with, and now one more. Their voices and varied instrumentation blend beautifully together and their gently humorous rapport with the audience and each other makes for a really joyous experience.
Thanks Rob for putting together this lovely gig - and for being on my doorstep!
Lazy Bones:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=78718636
Dean McPhee:
http://www.myspace.com/deanmcphee
[ John Williams: http://www.johnwilliamsguitar.com/ ]
[Jimmy Page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0PNsoC1ExU ]
[ Tangerine Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb3ASj87PAc ]
The Hand:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=227585311
The Art of Tea:
http://www.myspace.com/theartoftea
http://www.myvillage.com/manchester/restaurants-review-art-of-tea.htm
Review added: 14:54 Sunday, 10 August 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
HEDGEFEST
ST MARGARET'S CHURCH, WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER, SATURDAY 02/08/08
I recall a time (and I'm not THAT old!) when music festivals in the UK were few and far between - maybe 5 or 6 major big name ones nationally and the odd local one you'd probably only find by following the jingle of a passing Morris dancer! Not so these days - there are literally hundreds! Probably thousands! Big festivals, smaller ones, smaller ones still - specialist festivals or a mix - something for everyone's taste and pocket. Hedgefest is one of the smaller specialist ones, thankfully for me, a speciality I love and happening quite locally but, if Hedgefest 2008 was anything to go by, I'd say it's set to become legendary in its own right! What an absolutely lovely day!
There was a tremendously high standard of music throughout and it was exceptionally well organised (by the good folk at Hedge - mySpace link below review). Some of the acts I'd seen before - namely Sara Lowes, Nancy Elizabeth, Aidan Smith, John Smith and John Stammers - and I was really happy to see them all again. There were also some wonderful surprises for me from some of the acts I'd not seen before, most notably The Accidental, Paper Wives and Table. Those acts I missed, completely or partially, (due to my own pre-occupations and nothing to do with the the acts themselves) I would go out of my way to see, based on what I did see and what their mySpace websites offer. Overall, I felt everyone involved in the day had given of themselves in the most selfless and generous way. So I felt that the fairest, briefest, most comprehensive way for me to do the review was to start with this overall general thumbs up, to list below the review, in alphabetical order, all the artists appearing (with mySpace links where possible) and inbetween to share my own particular highlights (again, working through the list alphabetically), stressing that any omissions are not a reflection at all on those acts omitted but on my own limits. There was just so much great stuff to take in!
THE ACCIDENTAL
Simply the nicest surprise of the entire day. I knew nothing of them before Hedgefest, apart from an intriguing photo on a media website preview in which they appear to be stuck in a bell jar but enjoying themselves nonetheless! The photo turned out to be pretty significant - they clearly do enjoy themselves, and appear happy to be under close scrutiny! Beautiful vocal and instrumental harmonies, interesting and memorable songs, plus a delightful stage presence, all combined to completely captivate me and the rest of the audience. 'I can hear your voice in my head.'!!
SARA LOWES
I had seen Sara Lowes before, supporting John Smith with Nancy Elizabeth late last year (see earlier gig review 06/12/07) and was impressed with her then, as now. I would merely reiterate my praise. I've been playing her CD 'Tomorrow's Laughter' since the earlier gig, so was happy at least to recognise the song 'Down and Round', having sadly missed the beginning of her set on the outside stage in the grounds of the chuch - a beautiful, tranquil setting for her lovely songs. I'll be watching this ('my') space with interest ...
DEAN McPHEE
Dean McPhee's superbly atmospheric electric guitar playing worked incredibly well in the church venue. I heard a 'waterful' element running through his music, reminiscent of the more tender moments of Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin. I was transfixed and transported! I'm really looking forward to seeing more of him at the Art of Tea in Didsbury on Friday 8 August.
NANCY ELIZABETH
Having seen Nancy Elizabeth several times, I'm happy to say that I think I finally 'get' her. Pared down to one guitar and one voice, the beauty of her material and its delivery shone in a way I'd just not heard in her before. The church garden was a wonderful setting for her too - I was enthralled!
PAPER WIVES
In the apparently popular trend of inviduals giving themselves names that sound like bands, Paper Wives is actually Hannah Nicholson. Her voice and piano completely filled the church - a total experience in its beauty and simplicity. Her music is polished and professional sounding but deeply sensitive and soulful too, losing nothing in its perfection. There is a purity about her voice that goes right through you and leaves you aching to hear more. Citing Joni Mitchell as one of her influences on her mySpace is supremely well justified. I'd love to hear her again.
JOHN SMITH
This was the third time I'd seen John Smith (see earlier gig reviews 30/10/07and 06/12/07) so I knew he was worth waiting for. I also knew this would be best enjoyed seated on the floor of the church for the greatest levels of enjoyment and communication. That for me is the best way of describing it - to single out the elements of his performance would mean less than to try and encapsulate the complete feel of what he does. This is very definitely creative/emotional/spiritual communication warmed by humour and humility - a completely freeing experience.
JOHN STAMMERS
I was astonished to discover that it was well over a year since I had seen John Stammers previously (see earlier review 29/04/07 on Gig Archive page), and delighted to enjoy him even more now. He was out in the garden too, and he had a number of other musicians with him this time. In a band or solo, this man delivers the goods. I love his voice and careful guitar picking, and am thrilled by the tenderly joyous feeling his music evokes. A must-see. How could people talk through this wonderful act?!
TABLE
The most intriguing act at Hedgefest, in my opinion, was Table. A four-piece band fronted by David O'Dowda on piano, their mySpace clips don't do them justice. This was rather like a beautiful surrealist painting with sound, with echoes of themes throughout, enhanced by the possibly strategic placing of the musicians: cello behind piano, guitar behind cello, vocal harmonies behind guitar - all the sounds seemed to flow, intertwine and connect with each other. I lost myself totally in their music.
A fabulous day overall.
ALL ARTISTS APPEARING (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER - WITH LINKS WHERE POSSIBLE):
The Accidental
http://www.myspace.com/theaccidental
Bone-Box
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=25932960
The Community Choir
Down The Tiny Steps
http://www.myspace.com/downthetinysteps
John Fairhurst
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=98941804
The Hang Project
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=182957492
Sara Lowes
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=119439077
Dean McPhee
http://www.myspace.com/deanmcphee
Olivia Moore
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=139259219
Nancy Elizabeth
http://www.myspace.com/nancyelizabethcunliffe
Pablo's Finest Hour
http://www.myspace.com/pablosfinesthour
Paper Wives
http://www.myspace.com/pablosfinesthour
Aidan Smith
http://www.myspace.com/fancybarrel
John Smith
http://www.myspace.com/johnacousticsmith
John Stammers
http://www.myspace.com/johnacousticsmith
Table
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=59981394
HEDGEFEST WAS ORGANISED BY HEDGE:
http://www.myspace.com/hedgefolk
Review added: 11:58 Thursday, 7 August 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
PENTANGLE
PALACE THEATRE, OXFORD ROAD, MANCHESTER, WEDNESDAY 09/07/08
The impossible really seems to be happening more and more these days! Who'd have thought Pentangle's original members would re-form at this point? How wonderful that they have!
I was delighted that several songs from my favourite Pentangle album, 'Solomon's Seal' were included, but the set overall seemed to be a carefully considered mix across their initial active period late '60s to early '70s, and it was interesting to get some idea of how exciting it must have been to see them when they were first on the scene - they are exciting enough in 2008!
They played 'Light Flight' at the start of the set - it seems increasingly popular for artists to get their 'hits' out of the way early on. I'm not entirely sure why - maybe they feel audience will then be less preoccupied and better able to concentrate on the remainder of the set! Either way, it's still a great song!
A member of the audience called out, presumably to Jacqui McShee, 'You've still got a voice' - which sounded to me a bit like damning with faint praise! In fact she still has a gorgeous voice, and the band together still sounds wonderful. Something that occurred to me for the first time, despite playing their albums often for many years, was really how much of an instrument her voice is. Pentangle's version of 'Sally Free and Easy' was never my favourite, particularly as compared to the version I knew by Trees. I've heard many versions, mostly in folk clubs, over the years and I always thought it sounded better with a female lead vocal, and it is Bert Jansch who sings on Pentangle's version. However, it is Jacqui McShee's lyricless harmonies that blend to carry it higher, in all respects. It is her voice that fleshes out the vocal sound and enhances Bert Jansch's part - a musician in the fullest sense, in a way that singers often are not. I can't think of anyone else who does this in quite the same way.
Also, I found myself often concentrating on John Renbourn's side of the stage and wondering why he so often gets overlooked. Yes, Bert Jansch is a brilliant guitarist - everyone knows that - but let's not disregard John Renbourn's role in this legendary band. Not many people were playing sitars in 1968! I had seen all the band members play before, in various guises, and was thrilled to see them all again, but it was John Renbourn's delicate string plucking that really stood out for me this time.
What a thrill it all was!
http://www.myspace.com/pentangle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon's_Seal_(album)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BS7MQdrEG4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vl-gMo1NY0&feature=PlayList&p=58822D586DCB8B19&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soino1VHX1Q&feature=related
http://www.last.fm/music/Trees/_/Sally+Free+And+Easy
Review added: 11:50 Thursday, 7 August 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
THE CORNBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL
NR CHARLBURY, OXFORDSHIRE, SATURDAY/SUNDAY 5-6/07/08
The Cornbury Music Festival 2008 was its fifth, and my first. Its fourth, last year, took place in glorious sunshine throughout. The brightly coloured landscape this year, however, largely comprised a rainbow array of umbrellas and wellies worn by the crowds in a desperate attempt to protect themselves from the virtually relentless rain! Yes, there was respite, especially on Saturday, when the sun shone generously, if intermittently, for most of the afternoon. Overall, however, the weekend's rain became increasingly tedious, depressing and wearing.. Sunday became an oxymoron! A day of sun it was not! Despite the weather, however, it was a fantastic festival featuring some really big names, and some smaller ones deserving to be bigger. For the complete line-up, follow this link: www.cornburyfestival.com and click on 'Artists'. Here are my thoughts on those I saw:
SATURDAY:
THE BEAT (12.30, The Word Stage'): They were fun and exactly as I'd expected them to be. Ranking Roger was there up front as ever, and between us (taking turns back at 'base' by the main stage) Hubby Andy and I heard most of their hits. The song I most enjoyed from their set was 'Doors of your Heart', an old song but not familiar to me. They still sound good. (They have a song called 'Jeanette'! I've never heard it!) www.thebeatofficial.com
IMELDA MAY (14.00, Main Stage): I thoroughly enjoyed Imelda May and her band. The sound is kind of rockabilly mingled with blues, jazz, bit of country, etc, etc. Her voice is strong and tenderly interesting. She's lively, and a great performer. She was billed for two sets at Cornbury this year following audience demand here last year. I really liked some of her original songs, especially, 'Falling in love with you again', and I loved her version of Patsy Cline's 'Walking after midnight'. www.imeldamay.com
HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT (14.30, The Word Stage): As funny and as clever as their name, with song titles like 'If I had possession over Pancake Day' and 'I left my heart in Papworth General', astonishingly this is the first time I've ever seen Half Man Half Biscuit. They're wonderful musicians too, kind of punk-inspired I guess, and I loved every minute of their set. http://cobweb.businesscollaborator.com/hmhb http://www.last.fm/music/Half+Man+Half+Biscuit
THE BANGLES (16.00, Main Stage): Truthfully, the prospect of seeing The Bangles did not excite me as much as it did Andy, but then I never fancied them like he did! Mind you, retrospectively, for me, they were one of the most enjoyable acts of the weekend. I didn't realise I knew so many of their hits, or indeed that they had so many - 'Walk like an Egyptian', 'Manic Monday', 'If she knew what she wants', etc, and of course 'Eternal Flame' (the original and best version), swaying with Andy to which, I'm embarrassed to admit was one of my favourite moments of the entire weekend! Yes, they did also do 'Hazy Shade of Winter' and, as further tribute to Paul Simon, headlining that night, they slipped in a bit of 'Mrs Robinson' in there too. Lovely, memorable songs and generous, lively performers - I'm a retro-convert! I confess! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u56TSu2240&feature=related www.thebangles.com
ERIC BIBB (17.30, The Word Stage): I'd heard Eric Bibb being interviewed by Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2 some time ago, and fell in love instantly with his voice, his music and that part of his soul which he generously shares. So he is on stage. Regrettably, my desire to see the whole of the Toots & the Maytals' set on the Main Stage meant that I didn't see all of his, but what I did see was soul sustenance enough - what a truly lovely guy! He's a great folk-blues guitarist too, and he's written some wonderful songs. Thankfully, I did catch him doing 'Don't let nobody drag your spirit down', which I know and love. I would travel many miles to see him again. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkf34eZIjDM&feature=related www.ericbibb.com/frameset.html
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS (18.00, Main Stage): I'd been told, by several reliable sources, that it was highly likely that Toots would be late to start - if he showed up at all! In fact he was about 15 minutes late, but it was such a thrill to see him (them!) I forgave him! What was harder to forgive was that my favourite Maytals songs, 'Monkey Man' and '54-56 was my number', were kind of messed up. I know it's the artist's prerogative to do what they please with their material, but the latter especially was so far away from the recording to be a different song entirely! And yet forgive him/them I did, because the performance overall was excellent! These are the versions I know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j38ae8229mQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhjBiZSfM08&feature=related http://www.tootsandthemaytals.com/
NICK LOWE (21.00, The Word Stage): Sadly I missed most of Nick Lowe's set (and all of Beverley Knight's BTW - can she ever forgive me?!) because it had been raining so hard and we were getting so cold and bedraggled that we'd gone back to the car at that point to put more clothes on and warm up, and by the time I could feel my hands again and we'd returned, all I managed to catch were two numbers. I was still happier with that than to have missed seeing him completely because one of those was the brilliant 'What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?' (What indeed?! Nothing, far as I'm concerned.) What a sweet man - and what a great singer-songwriter he is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7txCdLCP9U http://www.nicklowe.net/
PAUL SIMON (21.30, Main Stage): Oh yes! Worth the wait, the rain - everything! He's a tiny chap and we were a long way from the stage, but it mattered not. His warmth and his clever, timeless, beautiful songs touched us as if we were right up close. Given how mean some of the really big name stars can be live, I felt that he was really giving of himself. Andy thought not because he didn't acknowledge where he was and thus probably didn't know, or care! Well, maybe ...! For less cynical me (!), he was on for well over an hour, with a set list of 18 songs spanning his Simon & Garfunkel and solo periods, starting with 'Gumboots' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S35__RyMcFo&feature=related and ending with 'You can call me Al', and in between demonstrating endless examples of his range as a songwriter and performer, including 'Mrs Robinson', 'The Sounds of Silence', 'The Only Living Boy in New York', 'Slip Sliding Away', 'Me & Julio', 'Graceland', etc. etc. etc. So many of these songs EVERYONE knows, deeply moulded into our collective memory they seem to be, like the songs we learnt at junior school and childhood TV jingles! The absolute biggest joy for me this weekend was definitely seeing Paul Simon, something I never expected to do. http://www.paulsimon.com/videos
SUNDAY
LUKE SMITH (12.30, Oxford Festival Stage - formerly The Word Stage!): By the time it had stopped raining long enough for us dismantle the tent and drag ourselves the 20 minute walk of near-Glastonburyesque mud from the campsite and car park to the Arena, I only managed to catch the tail end of Luke Smith's set. He reminded me of John Otway somehow. I mean that in a nice way! He's a better guitarist! I'm curious to check him out further. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=80717538
TOM BAXTER (14.00, Main Stage): Sadly, it was already raining again by about midway through Tom Baxter's set, and destined only to stop briefly a couple more times before setting in for the rest of the day. We didn't know that then and were still hopeful, but it was already getting boring! Tom Baxter did a wonderful job at keeping everyone's spirits up with some lovely original songs, nice guitar, great band behind him and a really nice stage presence. Especially impressive was that he carried on regardless during the first number despite breaking two guitar strings in quick succession! http://www.myspace.com/tombaxter
JAUNE TOUJOURS (15.00, Oxford Festival Stage): They're a kind of folky, Belgian street band, with lots of ska and world music influences. From what I saw, they were fun. Their mySpace confirms, and I'd like to see them again another time. However, at that point they didn't quite match my mood, which was a wandering one ... http://www.myspace.com/jaunetoujours
EASY TIGER (15.00, Riverside Stage): ... though Easy Tiger did! Sadly, I can't find any Web links for them, but their young lively Indie-rock sound had me happily bobbing my head and tapping my feet, and stopped me wandering long enough to hear the rest of their set. They really hit the spot!
JOE BONAMASSA (16.00, Main Stage): He's clearly a great blues-rock guitarist and he had everybody (else!) up and bopping throughout - again, not quite the right mood for me this time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csJeO2ydLWs&feature=related http://www.jbonamassa.com/
TIFT MERRITT (17.00, Riverside Stage): I didn't catch all her set, but I loved what I saw - loved her strong but gently yearning voice and her Alt. Country style. I especially enjoyed her song 'Good Hearted Man': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOWrdijBGWo http://www.myspace.com/tiftmerritt
10CC (18.00, Main Stage): I saw 'Graham Gouldman and Friends' at Cropredy in 2006, Graham Gouldman being, of course, one of the original members of 10CC. As far as I can recall, the line-up then was pretty similar to this one, now known as '10cc', and I wonder if some legal agreement has been made! Whatever, I've always been very fond of 10cc and love most of their songs, many of which of course they did: starting with 'Wall Street Shuffle', ending with 'Rubber Bullets' and filling the space between with all their great hits like 'I'm not in love', 'Life is a minestrone' , 'Silly Love', etc. etc. etc. Great great stuff - perfect entertainment to distract us, the bedraggled, from the rain! Only thing is, now not performing as 'Graham Gouldman and Friends', absent from the set list this time were all those great songs that Graham Gouldman wrote pre-10cc which other people recorded, like 'For your love' and 'Heart Full of Soul' (Yardbirds), 'Bus Stop' and 'Look through any window', (The Hollies) etc etc. Shame. Still loved seeing '10cc' here though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hemqiZiiuio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86GtSP6XBeU http://www.grahamgouldman.com/ PS: Did you ever notice the similarity between 10cc's 'Donna' and the Beatles' 'Oh Darling'...?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjWfX913BRQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_RCNGgL9V4&feature=related
K T TUNSTALL (20.00, Main Stage): I had already seen K T Tunstall at Cambridge Folk in 2005 and knew she'd be wonderful - and so she was! She also made a tune up for us right there on the spot, about the rain! And had us all shouting to compete - plain umbrellas vs stripey ones! Very sweet! And, amazingly, during her set the rain actually did stop! At least for about 10 minutes or so! I'd see her again and again - and so should you! Here's a song you might not know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpU2Bh3VKis&feature=related and one you must: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4r5PlXh17w&feature=related http://www.kttunstall.com/
CROWDED HOUSE (21.30, Main Stage): Well, under different circumstances of course I'd have stayed for the whole set but, well, we were completely sodden and weather beaten by this point - and of course we needed to drive back to Manchester so, sadly, we only stayed until 10.15, but enjoyed every single moment of those 45 minutes and agreed to go once we'd heard the three songs we both loved - 'Weather with you', 'Fall at your feet' and 'Don't dream it's over' - and so we did. NZ native Graham we met yesterday was surely at the front! For us, it was a beautiful end to a challenging day, challening even for us who live in Manchester and truly know what rain is! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_lpOUQtad0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZdcz1ALuBo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De9No1idr_g&feature=related http://www.crowdedhouse.com/s_home/index.php
PS: I've been to Somerville Theatre, featured in one of the youTube clips!
Thanks, as ever, to lovely Andy for getting us there and back safely - and indeed for choosing this one! Thanks to Anne, Henry, Ewan and Joel for sharing Saturday with us - so glad you made it! Thanks to the lovely man and his son on Nick Lowe's guest list who got me a free Observer from the VIP area! Thanks to the kind lady at the Lilybrooks gift stall who plaited my unruly hair for nothing. Thanks also to the two lovely children who beamed me beautiful smiles through the rain on Sunday morning, and of course thanks to everyone involved in making this such a great festival.
Thanks also to Janice Long for keeping us both awake on the long (wet!) journey home by playing great music on her Radio 2 show, mentioning us via the wonders of texting and indeed playing Paul Simon with perfect timing so that it ended just as we arrived home!
Review added: 19:59 Monday, 7 July 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
ALISON O'DONNELL + THE OWL SERVICE, ETC
LEIGH FOLK FESTIVAL, LEIGH-ON-SEA, ESSEX, SUNDAY 29/06/08
OTHER ACTS SEEN:
EMMA TRICCA, THE STRAW BEAR BAND, NOVEMBER SONG, THE HONEYGALES, RURAL TRADITION, TOM BLISS, RACHEL UNTHANK & THE WINTERSET, DENNIS HOMES
The Leigh Folk Festival was in fact on for 4 days (26-29 June) but, as mentioned in my Owl Service gig review 20/06/08 (immediately below this one), this was a planned excursion on my part, primarily to see Alison O'Donnell, The Owl Service and The Straw Bear Band again in a different context. So I only saw a very small part of the Festival but, based on that experience, I was really impressed - and would definitely go again. This is a FREE (!) festival (well you had to pay £6 if you wanted to see Vicki Swan on Thursday - otherwise all free!), now in its 17th year, clearly very well organised and with a really lovely warm and welcoming feel, which I strongly suspect you would experience whatever your role, whether or not you were a regularr or, like me, just dipping a very selective novice toe in its folkily foaming sea! And, to keep the analogy going, my Essex connection is of course that this is my county of origin and, just up the coast from Southend, Leigh is where I had one of my earliest experiences of the seaside way back when computers and space travel were still largely science fiction, the impending prospect of a 3rd channel on monochrome TV was really exciting and I was just a tot! So, apart from everything else, I was happy for an excuse to travel in my mind's tardis once more and venture out to Leigh-on-Sea. There was no time to paddle or build sandcastles on this occasion though!
I spent most of the afternoon (in this time zone!) at the Clarendon HQ session in Old Leigh because that's where Alison O'Donnell and the Owl Service were playing. Indeed, The Owl Service's Steven Collins was apparently the 'curator' of this afternoon session, presenting to us, the afternoon's ever changing audience, an interesting and clearly carefully selected range of folk and acoustic acts. I arrived while The Honeygales, a local female a capella trio, were in full swing, delighting the audience with their beautiful harmonies and sounding like there were more of them! I was gripped, and really sorry I'd not seen the whole of their set. Among the other acts I saw, two were actually individuals whose names led me to believe were bands: November Song and The Rural Tradition. November Song is actually Laura Hulse, who sings traditional songs solo and unaccompanied with her beautiful, sensitive voice. She was nervous, but she had no need. She was lovely! The Rural Tradition is actually Julian Polvedin, whose clear guitar picking style and soft voice lend a haunting reminder of Nick Drake. His songs are intriguing and, even now having played his record (yes, a real old fashioned 12" vinyl record - which I insisted on paying him for despite his apparent need to give them away for nothing!), I'm still not entirely sure what he's singing about or indeed at times what language he's singing in! Imagine, if you can, a musical version of soft artistic pastel shading, and you're almost there! This, together with his lighthearted and gently self-deprecating audience rapport, makes him all the more intriguing and delightful. Also during this afternoon session I got to see Dennis Homes, who is a warm and witty performer, formerly a member of '60s folk-rock band Synanthesia, who I have to admit I'd not known of previously. My loss I feel. It was also lovely to see Emma Tricca again (scroll down my review of her gig at Dulcimer in Chorlton 02/12/07), and I enjoyed her equally well this time, despite the noisy distraction of a passing procession, though they must have been difficult circumstances to perform under. I recognised most of her songs, and would love to see her again. The Straw Bear Band were even more amazing than they were last week! They were all there on this occasion though, in another sense, not quite! There really is something other-worldly about them, not least due to lead singer Dom's voice and choice of material - the werewolf theme ensues!
Outside on one of the other stages, I caught the tale end of Tom Bliss's act. I know of him via the BBC's music messageboards and was glad for the chance to speak to him, albeit briefly. He's an immensely talented performer, playing a myriad instruments and telling a fascinating range of stories through his beautifully and painstakingly crafted songs. I loved what I heard. On another outside stage I also caught some of Rachel Unthank and the Winterset's performance. It wasn't the best setting for them, surrounded as they were by the talking and drinking crowds, but what I could glean was lovely, and I would go out of my way to see them in a kinder, quieter setting. While queuing for a late lunch in a cafe, further down the street, I also heard a magnificent folk-blues guitarist playing at another outside stage, and I'm so sorry I didn't catch his name.
Sadly, also, after all that, I missed The Owl Service's own set, which started at 12.0, a little early for a Sunday - why, that's still Sunday morning, isn't it?! - but I did indeed see them with the lovely Alison O'Donnell again for her set later in the afternoon, which was just superb. Realistically, the joyously unexpected thrill of experiencing live versions of Mellow Candle songs 'Heaven Heath' and 'Messenger Birds' the first time (see again previous Owl Service review below) could never be repeated, but there was a newly delightful experience to be had from seeing Alson perform with the Owl Service on their home turf, all of them seemingly more relaxed, this being their 3rd time of performing together. It is still hard to believe that The Owl Service had never actually met Alison in person prior to the Manchester gig last week but then, as I joked, using Natalie Cole's duet with her dead Dad Nat as an example, in these times of advanced 'electrickery' (as Catweazel so aptly put it!), you don't even need to be alive to make recordings now! Separation by time, space and geography (and, for that matter, mortality!) holds no bounds any more. Thank goodness for that, I say, if it makes such magical collaborations as this one happen. Since technological advancement is clearly not going to reverse back to the days of the 2-channel monochrome TV at this point, let's use it only for such good and lovely things, and real things at that - not just castles in the sand and air!
Thanks, as ever, to Hubby Andy for being with me here (and always) and for driving us to these places, seemingly no matter how far or how obscure the venue, thanks to all the friendly (folk!) folk we spoke to and thanks also to Kate for her warm hospitality as ever, and - along with Rob - for sharing the experience with us.
http://www.leighfolkfestival.co.uk/ (individual acts' links via 'Artists' section)
Nat and Natalie Cole duet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ith7bNN8w
Electrickery reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catweazle
Review added: 19:47 Monday, 7 July 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
THE OWL SERVICE FEATURING ALISON O'DONNELL + NANCY WALLACE + THE STRAW BEAR BAND
HEDGE FOLK CLUB, THE CARLTON, WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER M16 8BE, FRIDAY 20/06/08
You know, I think I've just experienced another exclusive! And very wonderful it was too! I've barely been able to sleep!
This was the first time Alison O'Donnell had sung the extraordinarily beautiful 'Heaven Heath' and 'Messenger Birds' since 1972! Both tracks are on the amazing 1972 album 'Swaddling Songs' by Mellow Candle, the first band Alison (then Williams) was in. This is an album I will have mentioned in previous gig reviews and on my 'Folk Connections' show on Radio Starlion (and, indeed, at every possible opportunity!). Thanks to my friend James, who introduced me to a wealth of the awesome and the obscure (!), I first heard 'Swaddling Songs' in 1987 and fell instantly in love with it. At that time it was only available as a very rare and ludicrously expensive vinyl LP, available to the likes of me only on cassette recordings provided by kind friends. Now, happily, like so many other earlier folk-rock albums I love, it is easily available on affordable CD (unless you want to join the ranks of the fanatical - and rich! - eBay bidders who seem prepared to sell their own organs - if that were what it would take! - for an original vinyl copy. (Expect to pay hundreds of pounds, if you can even find it - apparently the most expensive vinyl album on Deram!)
Like Dr Strangely Strange (see earlier reviews), it never ever occurred to me that I would see any member of Mellow Candle perform, let alone meet them. You must understand that those oddities James introduced me to (though to be fair I already knew of Dr Strangely Strange in 1970 aged 12!) even in the 1980s had a mythical quality about them - it was barely conceivable that these were real people who had ever really existed but simply rare and beautiful creatures of creative fantasty who just appeared somewhere in the mists of time and then vanished, leaving only their magical recordings behind them, available (unless like me you had a kind friend who gave you a cassette recording, only at aforementioned fantastic cost!) to the chosen few we surely were! To have now met Alison O'Donnell twice (see Dr Strangely Strange gig review 01/03/08), and know her not only to be very real but also clearly a very lovely (and supremely talented) person, felt like blessings enough ...
... until I actually heard her sing 'Heaven Heath' and 'Messenger Birds' in person, that is! These were the two 'Swaddling Songs' tracks she wrote entirely herself. 'Heaven Heath' opens the album in the most beautiful and startling way that, even having heard it a million zillion times now, still leaves me thinking 'where on Earth (or elsewhere!) did that come from?!' It really sounds like nothing else I've ever heard or, I now realise, am likely to hear. So it was an especially lovely surprise to hear her sing it, here, virtually on my doorstep, in 2008! Indeed it was the opening number of the final set of the evening, provided by the Owl Service featuring Alison O'Donnell. The Owl Service are such great musicians that I could close my eyes and with very little imagination believe myself to be hearing Mellow Candle performing this themselves three and a half decades before. Truly a dream come true!
The set also included songs from Alison's 2006 collaboration with Isabel Ni Chiurrean, 'Mise Agus Ise', which, thanks to Alison, I know how to pronounce correctly (!) and indeed have been playing since she kindly gave me a copy when we met in Dublin in March. The most beautiful track on the album is 'Seals in the Sound', which was the final number of the evening (by now early morning!). Also among the rich and varied set list were a heartstopping rendition of the traditional song I know from Sandy Denny's 'Fotheringay album', 'The Banks of the Nile', and tracks from the forthcoming EP she has recorded with the Owl Service, 'The Fabric of Folk', which indeed, again thanks to Alison's trust and generosity, I had already heard early versions of.
And as if that weren't enough for this increasingly obsessive folk-rock fanatic (and undoubtedly all the others in the audience - among whom were some faces very pleasingly familiar to me), let me remind you this was the final set of a magnificent show that lasted nearly four hours! This also included some unusual songs by The Straw Bear Band, whose tales of werewolves and fishermen disguised as trees (!) held me transfixed, not least because of the extraordinary voice, percussion and magic tricks(!) of the only member of the band present that evening, a man Alison referred to only as 'The Mighty Dom'! Nancy Wallace, of The Owl Service, also did a solo set, beginning with a beautiful traditional song I know from John Renbourn's 'Ship of Fools' album, 'I Live Not Where I Love', on concertina accompanied by banjo and, throughout the first half of the show, all these remarkable musicians 'mixed and matched' with each other to provide one of the most enjoyable gigs I've ever experienced.
These are remarkable and very special times. Folk music is officially cool again! Not only that, but younger musicians, now discovering all this great stuff for the first time, seem excitedly happy to collaborate with their heroes - and indeed vice versa. So music like this lives once more, in the truest, fullest sense. Its heart is traditional but its overall feel is respectfully contemporary. I am so grateful to know and appreciate its remarkable wealth of possibility. But that simply couldn't happen without people like The Owl Service, The Straw Bear Band, Nancy Wallace and, indeed, Alison O'Donnell exploring and regenerating its potential.
Thank you all so much!
(And thank you James for that cassette!)
PS: And I'm going to do it all again next week down in my native Essex at the Leigh Folk Festival! Yippee!
http://www.alisonodonnell.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=106987993
http://www.amazon.com/Swaddling-Songs-Mellow-Candle/dp/B0000011AQ
http://www.irishshowbands.net/bgmellow.htm
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=67636582
http://www.myspace.com/theowlservice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWBEXyLWHE
http://www.myspace.com/nancywallace
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1024811/a/Ship+Of+Fools.htm
http://www.myspace.com/thestrawbearband
http://www.myspace.com/hedgefolk
http://www.leighfolkfestival.co.uk/
Review added: 12:43 Saturday, 21 June 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
CLIVE PALMER + WIZZ JONES
12 BAR CLUB, DENMARK STREET, LONDON WC2, SATURDAY 24/05/08
Thanks once more to London based friends Deena and Adrian, I heard about another exclusive gig at the excellent (if tiny!) subterranean 12 Bar Club.
Clive Palmer is of course one of the founder members of the Incredible String Band. He rarely performs these days. This gig was to celebrate the launch of his biography 'Empty Pocket Blues' by Grahame Hood, who indeed was also there and who I also got to meet.
My favourite Clive Palmer track is 'Chain of Love' on the COB (Clive's Own Band) album, 'Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart' (yes really!) I was told not to expect any of that material being performed that evening, so I wasn't entirely surprised though a little disappointed. However, that was more than made up for by the thrill of hearing him singing 'Chinese White', the opening track of my favourite ISB album, 'The 5,000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion'. He'd already left the ISB by the time this album was made, so I was especially moved to hear him perform a lovingly respectful rendition of it here.
It had been a long day and we still had a long journey back to where we were staying so, as the gig was clearly going to go on much longer, and the tiny subterranean venue was starting to feel rather cramped, hot and stuffy, sadly I missed the very end of the gig. But what I did see and hear was really gentle, beautiful, and very pleasing to experience.
Clive Palmer has a unique banjo playing style, which sounds to me very old without being in the least bit old fashioned somehow. I'd never seen him perform before and I knew it was a rare opportunity. So that in itself was a joy to me. The musicians he had playing with him were all first class too: Tim Wellard on guitar, autoharp and vocals; John Bickersteth on accordion, piano, guitar and dobro, Neil McPhail on guitar and bass, Nick McLeod on drums (the most beautifully subtle drumming I'd ever heard) and Sally Mason on vocals. I'd remembered the stage being tiny so was surprised to see so many people and equipment manage to fit on it, though I was not surprised that this left no room for Sally Mason! She had to sing from the floor! That was a shame. I heard a soft, lovely voice but couldn't work out where it was coming from! It certainly couldn't be from any of the blokes on the stage! With effort I did manage to see her!
Pete Berryman of the Famous Jug Band, which Clive Palmer has also been a member of, also made a guest appearance, and Wizz Jones was the support act. That seems ridiciulous! He is wonderful and legendary - an unlikely support act. I have seen Wizz Jones some years ago and still often play his album 'Right Now', which I love. I was also lucky enough to meet him.
So, 'short but sweet' is an apt description of this very special evening.
Thanks again, Deena and Adrian, and thanks Grahame for the excellent book which I have been greatly enjoying.
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/index1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Palmer
http://www.wizzjones.com/
http://www.12barclub.com/
Review added: 12:35 Saturday, 21 June 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE + ATLAS SOUND VENUE
KOKO (FORMERLY CAMDEN PALACE), LONDON, THURSDAY 22/05/08
All I knew of Animal Collective prior to this gig was their 2005 EP 'Prospect Hummer', which I bought because I knew it was a collaboration with Vashti Bunyan, whom I love. (She did that T-mobile advert!) I found 'Prospect Hummer' very unusual, and probably not something I'd have even known about were it not for the Vashti connection. I liked it, though. I'd been told it was not typical of their stuff. I knew I was going to be meeting up with friends in London that day, and was curious ...
... so did curiosity kill the cat?! Well, no - just maybe surprised her a bit ... and impaired her hearing a little further! As a gig-going novice 14 year old, my Dad told me I'd be deaf by the time I was 15. Perhaps I was already deaf and misheard him say 50! Either way, now older and perhaps ever so slightly wiser, at last I see his point.
In fact, I amused myself with the first thought that the Animal Collective gig brought to mind, which was the (Austrian-Jewish accented) voice of Dr Hans Keller saying to Roger Waters and Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd in 1967, 'But why does it all have to be so terribly loud?'!!! So my second thought was, 'Oh God - finally, I've become the older generation!' (and possibly an old Austrian-Jewish arts critic!) But hey, that may not be so bad. The young man (!) to my right in the crowds had a Beatles-style 'mop top' haircut! Most of the audience could easily have been teleported back to the '60s and fitted in pretty well, at least in terms of appearance. But hey (again!), maybe the sounds and approach to music weren't that different either.
Pink Floyd in 1967 had no interest in producing 3 minute singles - though the few that they did were quirkily brilliant (thanks to Syd). What they were really about was music that was deeply, bravely experimental, abstract and, indeed, at least sometimes, 'terribly loud'! Even if you didn't know any of that, on hearing Animal Collective for the first time you could quite easily say the same things and be completely accurate. Make no mistake - this is clever stuff! The recordings on their mySpace are more melodic, but that may also have something to do with the volume! Live, those tracks are recognisable, but the volume distorts the sound to something less melodic.
Be that as it may, the EXPERIENCE transcends all of that. And isn't that what Pink Floyd were all about too? The mid-to-late '60s underground music scene was ALL about happenings, experiences: hence, the Jimi Hendrix Experience - they (he!) were all part of it. This Animal Collective gig was a TOTAL experience of a comparative nature. Put aside the expectation of watching a band perform and allow yourself to become immersed in the moment (moments!) (and possibly whatnots :o) !) all around you, and the vibe is great - young, different, innovative ...
... just VERY VERY LOUD!!!
Friend Kate, who was with me, was at her most animated at a gig! She'd gone with it - as had I. It was irresistible, hypnotic, all embracing. Friend Dave who'd come with us 'to watch a band perform' (!) frowned throughout the first number and then left! His music taste is broad and varied but perhaps not quite as much as any of us had hoped! He reluctantly admitted, 'It's not really my scene!' OK Grandad - off you go! :o)
Truth is, I'd rather like it to be my scene! I applaud Animal Collective totally for their originality and the good feelings they evoke. I could well imagine their music being used as a science fiction movie soundtrack (something like 'Subway' or 'Blade Runner') and it also made me think of John Peel, whose scene I'm quite certain it would have been. Support act 'Atlas Sound' was interesting too.
Exciting stuff - bring it on! Just bring noise reduction headphones!
:o)
PS: Thanks to Kate and Dave for a wonderful evening - and Deena for a wonderful lunch at a wonderful vegan bus-restaurant!
Animal Collective:
http://www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband
Atlas Sound Venue
http://www.myspace.com/bradfordcox
Vashti Bunyan links:
http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=163
http://www.anotherday.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxR4K-QFCqk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzrQwvpVozY
Pink Floyd links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO6zOZHpPkk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs-tSn-T5TQ&feature=related
http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/factual/lookoftheweek.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Keller
Moments & Whatnots (!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLFqCJXczpM&feature=related
Vegan 'Bustaurant', Brick Lane, London
http://www.root-master.co.uk/
Review added: 19:15 Sunday, 25 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
DENISE MORGAN & DOMINIC MORGAN
IGUANA BAR, CHORLTON, MANCHESTER, SUNDAY 18/05/08
With her increasing repertoire of perceptive reflections on life, the universe and everything, peppered with the odd credible cover here and there, all delivered with her usual soulful yet powerful tenderness, Denise continues to amaze me - and, it seems, to increase her fan base. I do hope so! She deserves more and greater recognition. Perhaps soon all the world will know!
In the meantime, Denise continues to keep the locals restful and entertained. This gig, part of the annual Chorlton Arts Festival, was in a venue I remember as a Greek restaurant, though it was hard to place the memory in its current space. The transition was some years ago, but I still like to visualise (taste-ualise?!) the many mezes I enjoyed there. Certainly, the sense of warm and welcoming hospitality has prevailed - the perfect setting for Denise's own warmth. Her brother Dom(inic) joined her on lead electric guitar on a few numbers, in the absence of Julian Homer (working abroad this year), adding something excitingly different.
Each time I see Denise I am more moved and more impressed. See her while her gigs are still cheap or free!
http://www.denisemorgan.org.uk/
http://www.iguanabar.co.uk/
http://www.chorltonartsfestival.com/
Review added: 07:58 Thursday, 22 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
THE ZOMBIES AND THE YARDBIRDS
BRIDGEWATER HALL, MANCHESTER, WEDNESDAY 14/05/08
Yes, they're still going! And how!
The current line-up of the Yardbirds still includes original drummer Jim McCarty and original rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja. They've picked the 'extras' well. John Idan (from Detroit) is the 'front man/bassist), who fits so well in the band, if you didn't know (and he were older!) he could be an original too. (Indeed, Rob Loader (of my fave local record shop Zero) mistook his youTube 'still' for Jeff Beck - and refused to believe it wasn't!) Alan Glen has got to be one of the most exciting harp players on Earth (if not the known universe!) and Ben King, the 21 year old current lead guitarist stands startlingly credible alongside earlier Yardbirds guitar heroes Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
I saw the Yardbirds 6 years ago at the same venue, sharing the bill with The Troggs and the Spencer Davis Group (yes, honestly!), and they blew them off the stage as well! I love the Zombies (inc Colin Blunstone/Argent) and indeed have seen them 3 times now (4 including Argent in 1974!), but it was the Yardbirds who were on the money for me this time. Maybe it's the venue - I don't know. The first time I saw the Zombies was 3 years ago in the very much smaller and more intimate Life Cafe in Manchester, and I fear no other gig of theirs can beat that for me - it was friend Val's big (ish!) birthday and it honestly felt like they were her house party band, so close were they in every respect. Val and I have seen them twice since (with hubbies in tow!) and we both feel the same. I mean, it was still great to see them and experience again the joy of hearing 'For Your Love', 'Time of the Season', 'Say you Don't Mind', 'I Don't Believe in Miracles', 'God Gave Rock & Roll to You' and, of course, 'Hold Your Head Up', etc etc live, but perhaps it's that same old humanly impossible desire of wanting each of life's superlatives to be exactly the same, over and over. This is not 'living in the moment'! Perhaps there are no better or worse experiences - just different ones ...
Be that as it may, it was the Yardbirds this time who made me move as much as it was possible while still staying seated, raised my heart rate almost dangerously and left me wanting more. They're still exciting - I urge you to see them at the earliest possible opportunity!
PS: Thanks to Val and Steve for sharing the experience with us.
http://www.theyardbirds.com/bio.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTZt8nUsCco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KzxohiTVmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLCIY5BLY5M&feature=related
http://www.myspace.com/thezombies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y0TglbN5mE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGL8e9m8Rio&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utHx1octp-w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BouIFzam3zU&feature=related
http://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/
Review added: 07:57 Thursday, 22 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS + SCOTT MATTHEWS
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA, THURSDAY 08/05/08
For my 'big' birthday earlier this year, I received some wonderful CDs as gifts and also some generous music gift cards that I could spend as I wish. For the latter, I had a few ideas already and among those, for definite, was the album 'Raising Sand' by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss I'd heard so much about. I'm always hesitant over rave reviews of such magnitude because I know sometimes they're just hype but, having heard a few of the tracks on the album, and seen snippets of interviews on youTube, I was convinced this album was a must have. Indeed, on buying it, I played it constantly for about 2 weeks straight before making myself loan it to a friend for fear of sickening myself of it with overload! Similarly, when I knew they were touring together, I knew I had to go see them. The Manchester Apollo date was sold out in a flash, which is why Hubby Andy and I ventured down to Cardiff, and I'm so glad we did ...
... they were AMAZING! The 'project' was probably always one of those collaborations that make you wonder how on Earth it could work - and yet it does. It REALLY does. Their voices blend beautifully together, and overall they seem to bring out something beautifully surprising in each other. Rock/country-bluegrass collaborations have been tried previously, but none to my knowledge has worked as well as this. Plus the musicianship and production of T Bone Burnett takes it all to another level entirely. That Robert Plant is clearly in awe of his collaborators adds yet another dimension. Humility isn't always an obvious inhabitant in the world of music - when you see it, it is an absolute joy. He left the stage for relatively long periods of time to enable both Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett to really shine as solo performers - and was quite happy to return to the stage solely to do backing vocals on a number of occasions.
They did perform most of the songs on 'Raising Sand' and to experience them live was truly exciting. 'Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)', the main single release from the album, was well worth waiting till very nearly the end for. My favourite track from the album is 'Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us', which I find awe-inspiringly ethereal, with Alison Krausse's voice at its most beautiful and somehow spiritual. There is a yearning quality to her powerful voice that is deeply penetrating, yet with a softness that truly touches the soul. I have always loved Robert Plant's voice, but these songs take it somewhere unimaginable for me, with a subtlety and tenderness I've never heard in him. Just beautiful!
Biggest surprise for me was a mix of 'I'm in the Mood', a joyously up-beat track from Robert Plant's 2nd solo album, 'The Principle of Moments' (from whence came the single 'Big Log') together with 'Matty Groves', a traditional folk song, most famously recorded by Fairport Convention. Now, how could that possibly work?! Somehow it shouldn't. But somehow it does! I wasn't wild about their re-working of Led Zeppelin's 'Black Dog', however, or indeed 'The Battle of Evermore', both from Led Zeppelin IV. Much as I love Alison Krausse's voice, it just doesn't have that soaring quality Sandy Denny's had, which made it such a powerful track on the album. That's not to say I think it's 'hallowed ground' that no-one should touch, because I have indeed heard other people sing the Sandy parts extremely well. It was still interesting to hear, though, and lovely in its own way. I'm not crazy about huge venues either, but Cardiff International Arena is the nicest I've been to - it certainly beats the gargantuan MEN Arena hands down. It was just that bit too big for the support act, Scott Matthews, much as I like him - thanks to 'Luke', I know and love his 'Passing Stranger' CD, and would love to see him again, elsewhere - but just fine for the main attraction.
All in all, a fabulous experience I wouldn't have missed for the world.
PS: Thanks to David, Coral, Daniel and Maya for their warm hospitality and for introducing us to Cardiff - and persuading Andy to enter (and complete!) his first 5km run!
http://www.myspace.com/officialrobertplantalisonkrauss
http://www.tboneburnett.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKuMZaINLLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL29_GH91f8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSt_bu7npjo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD3F93v1Tdc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHj_fZG8-lU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifYBod-earI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2-YsxHcag&feature=related
http://www.myspace.com/scottmatthewsmusic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stl7bqkzLQk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FwGMp-7gH0&feature=related
http://www.livenation.co.uk/venue/getVenue/venueId/16147/
Review added: 07:54 Thursday, 22 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
ROCK RADIO MANCHESTER 106.1 LAUNCH GIG: 'BAD COMPANY' / GUN / SALFORD JETS / LET'Z ZEP / MERCURY
CATHEDRAL GARDENS, MANCHESTER, MONDAY 05/05/08
My, this was a cheap weekend's entertainment for me! This was another free gig - this one to preceed and mark the launch of Rock Radio Manchester - and I had quite a fun afternoon.
We (Hubby Andy and I) arrived during Mercury's set. As you might have guessed, Mercury are a Queen tribute band. Now, I'm not wild about Queen but I do get a lot of requests for them on my request show on Radio Starlion, The Saturday Supplement, so it's been in my interests to warm to them! As tribute bands go, Mercury are actually pretty good and, in spite of myself, I enjoyed them! I always have to draw the line at Bohemian Rhapsody, however, and the only way I can get through that is by thinking of The Heebeegeebees spoof version, 'Toyland Rhapsody' (by 'Queer'!) ('Big Ears, I just killed a toy / Turned the corner too fast by far in my little yellow car / Big Ears, here comes Mister Plod and I think he's come to take me awaaaay ...!!!) :o)
Letz Zep were disappointing however. I mean, the front man looked more like Robert Plant than Robert Plant himself does these days (!), and their 'Jimmy Page', 'John Paul Jones' and 'Bonzo' were actually pretty good. The sound balance was terrible, unfortunately, so after the passable opening number, 'Rock & Roll', you could barely hear 'Robert' and it took me a while to recognise some numbers, despite being a huge Led Zeppelin fan and knowing most - if not all - of their material. Having now 'Googled' them quite critically, it is clear that they are actually very good at what they do and it was the PA system that wasn't up to scratch. There was evidence of this later on too ...
Next up were The Salford Jets, fronted by Manchester's own (indeed now Rock Radio Manchester's own) Mike Sweeney. I'd heard of them - and him - but had never heard or seen them before, and thoroughly enjoyed their set, which was very much along the lines of 'local boys made good' including implications that if they hadn't become musicians they might have just gone round nutting people! Their energy as musicians is great, and it has apparently not become diminished in the years since their heyday (Mike Sweeney said he was 60!) My favourite act of the day without question.
Then Gun, who I also didn't know despite their having some success in the 1990s, came to the stage. The sound system failed them somewhat too, but I still enjoyed what I heard. Lead vocals for all that were pretty clear if a little shouty, and their set included a few memorable numbers which kept the crowds lively as the day wore on and standing on a wall for 4 hours (for some of us!) started to take its toll!
And finally to the headlining act, 'Bad Company'. Well, sort of! I put the name in quotes because, according to Bad Company's official website, it's not them at all! Only name I recognised was Mick Ralphs, who I know also played in Mott The Hoople. No 'young dudes' (!) in this line-up either, and I'm afraid to say after 2 songs the sound system (I hope!) became so awful that we left. Pity!
However, all in all, a really fun afternoon. I was even interviewed - well a guy in a black 'Rock Radio' T-shirt held a microphone to me and asked me who my favourite band was, etc. I used the opportunity to plug Radio Starlion so. even if it doesn't make the airwaves. at least he will know!
I said Led Zeppelin, by the way!
http://www.rockradiomanchester.co.uk/
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1047098_free_gig_for_rock_radio_launch
http://www.badcompany.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Company#Former_members
http://www.mickralphs.co.uk/bio.shtml
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85104703
http://gunfans.50megs.com/
http://www.salfordjets.com/Contents.htm
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=112979794
http://www.letzzep.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcnGFGIVLy0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSpWhmVXgx4&feature=related
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4005685
www.mikefs.co.uk/HBGB.html
Review added: 22:07 Monday, 5 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
MARTIN SIMPSON
BANG & OLUFSEN, 55 KING STREET, MANCHESTER, SATURDAY 03/05/08
This may be the most unexpected gig - and indeed venue for a gig - that I'm ever likely to experience! I have Bang & Olufsen King Street Store Director David Jennings for this (via BBC Radio 2 music messageboards), as indeed did the rest of the audience - and Martin Simpson himself, who clearly had his own fun while giving us all the best value for money! Can't get cheaper than free! Of course, it was part of a promotional weekend for the store and, expensive as it is, no-one can deny that Bang & Olufsen make seriously good gear! Maybe one day we'll upgrade the stereo ...! (Hubby take note!) (Or win the prize draw!)
Martin Simpson remarked that it was the strangest PA system he'd ever played through - half-expected it to make him a drink! It certainly was spacey at its highest-tech, and of course the sound quality was incredible. But then, so was the music being played through it. He played two sets, during which there were a number of songs I know well and love including 'Little Musgrave' (a version of the song I'm more familiar with as Fairport's 'Matty Groves'), 'Louisiana 1927', 'Never Any Good' etc from his superb current (award winning!) album 'Prodigal Son', plus others I love including his versions of ''Nobody's Fault But Mine' and 'I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes' - a completely joyous experience for me!
I first heard a Martin Simpson CD at my former guitar teacher's house about 10 years ago - and gasped! It was she who later kindly gave me his album 'Bootleg USA', an absolute fave in my collection that I play often. And I got it (and 2 other CDs) signed last night, by the man himself! :o) It was so lovely to meet him. He answered a question I'd been curious about - was it really a bootleg? He told me that In fact, he'd put it out himself as an 'official bootleg'. 'Highway 61/Highway 61 Revisited' is a track from it I've played on my 'Folk Connections' show on Radio Starlion - all 7 minutes and 42 seconds of it and its breathtaking slide guitar! During our (fairly surreal!) conversation, I asked him if he planned to do any slide guitar in the second set, as I was a little disappointed he'd not done any so far. He assured me he would, and indeed I was not disappointed - and gasped at wonder throughout, as in fact I did for most of the evening. As well as being an extraordinary guitarist, songwriter and interpreter of songs, Martin Simpson also has a wonderful stage presence and audience rapport, telling stories to amuse and amaze. I will always think of being hugged by a bicycle every time I think of Ronnie Wood now!
This gig was a rare and fantastic opportunity - I loved every moment! Thanks again Mr J!
PS: Thanks so much to Kay, Owen and Ang for sharing the experience with us.
http://www.martinsimpson.com/
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?id=4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N2mPtJsYK5U&feature=related
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/
Review added: 18:00 Sunday, 4 May 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
TOM DOUGHTY (+ FLOOR SINGERS)
CHORLTON FOLK CLUB, ELLESMERE ROAD, CHORLTON M21, THURSDAY 10/04/08
I have raved about Tom Doughty since I first saw him at the Middlewich Folk Festival in 2006. He's a phenomenal blues-folk slide guitarist, all the more impressive when you realise his physical impairment. He's been in a wheelchair since sustaining horrific injuries in a motorbike accident some years ago, and his hand and arm movements are also limited. Listen to his recordings and you'd never know. This is a remarkable musician and a remarkable person.
I had heard most of the numbers in his set before, many of them taken from his album 'Running Free', which I have (signed by the man himself at Middlewich!), love and play often - and indeed have played his music on my Radio Starlion shows, Folk Connections and The Saturday Supplement. His influence is primarily Mississippi Delta Blues, but his repertoire includes other styles, for example his own unique instrumental versions of The Beatles masterpiece 'Eleanor Rigby' and the very beautiful Cole Porter song 'Every Time We Say Goodbye'. He sings too, with a very warm and sensitive voice that matches his guitar style perfectly.
I've heard many good things about Chorlton Folk Club and was thrilled to get a chance both to see Tom Doughty again and pay the club a visit. The floor singers were of a mixture of style and ability, but there were some superb performances among them. Tom Doughty duetted with one, having never met him before - professional and amateur in perfect harmony. Not many professionals would have the humility to do this.
I will definitely go to the Chorlton Folk Club again, will continue to play Tom Doughty's CD, rave about him and see him again when I can.
http://www.tomdoughty.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=139303782
Review added: 22:43 Sunday, 20 April 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
JETHRO TULL + MOSTLY AUTUMN
THE LOWRY CENTRE, SALFORD, WEDNESDAY 09/04/08
Jethro Tull - Oh yes!!! My 4th - or possibly even 5th! - Jethro Tull gig! The first was in 1978 and they were already veterans of 10 years' standing by then. And here they were at the Lowry in 2008 on their 40th anniversary tour - and some people still refer to them as 'him'! Indeed, the actor Owen Wilson delivers this, one of my favourite lines in a film, in the movie 'Armageddon': 'I tell you one thing that really drives me nuts, is people who think that Jethro Tull is just a person in a band.' Me too! Those people are in fact referring to Jethro Tull's front man Ian Anderson, a unique and extraordinary person and musician, the first - if not the only! - folk-rock/prog-rock flautist! Yes, he does still perform on one leg 40 years on, but not for such long periods at a time! Those people are truly missing out!
All that is irrelevant in the scheme of things - this is an incredible band! They still sound fresh and exciting 40 years on, have a repertoire so large and varied that every tour - and, from what I can gather, every gig - is different and brings immense pleasure to their innumerable fans time and again.
Support act, Mostly Autumn, came on first, introduced personally by Ian Anderson who played with them on their last few numbers, together with Tull guitarist Martin Barre. Mostly Autumn are generally classified as prog rock, but their set was primarily acoustic and very beautifully melodic, taken somewhere else again with guest flute and guitar accompaniment.
Jethro Tull's set began with 'Living in the Past', the track EVERYONE knows! Ian Anderson wryly added, 'our only hit'! They did later also play 'The Witches' Promise', another early single, not quite as well known or as successful in chart position terms, but equally well loved and well received by the audience. They also played two numbers they'd never recorded: 'One for John G', dedicated to a man instrumental in their early performances at the legendary London venue, the Marquee, and 'So Much Trouble', a wonderfully bluesy number. I have to say it is their early bluesy folk-rock tracks that I love the most, and my favourite album remains their debut, 'This Was', which was released in 1968. They played two instrumental tracks from that album, 'Serenade to a Cuckoo' and 'Dharma for One', which, like the entire album, were ambitiously different at the time and, to my ears, are still. The set also included well loved later tracks like 'Aqualung' and 'Thick as a Brick'.
Ian Anderson is indeed a remarkable front man and it is impossible to imagine Jethro Tull without him but Jethro Tull is indeed a band, not just one person, and collectively they make an incredible and unique sound. They - all band members past and present - all contribute to that.
I understand my Radio Starlion colleague, Mike Wallbank, is also a fan and was also in the audience - and thoroughly enjoyed the gig too. Like him, I'm a lifelong fan, likely to see them again and again as long as they continue to perform. As such, it is difficult for me to be objective. But I make no apologies for my enthusiasm - and I'm clearly not alone! And there weren't only old people in the audience either! Long may the phenomenon that is Jethro Tull continue to thrill us all!
http://www.mostly-autumn.com/
http://www.j-tull.com/tourdates/index.html
http://www.thelowry.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/quotes
Review added: 22:38 Sunday, 20 April 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
MISSING PERSON (FEATURING JULIAN HOMER)
THE ROYAL OAK, CHORLTON, MANCHESTER M21, SATURDAY 05/04/08
Yes, indeed - THAT Julian Homer, the one who accompanies Denise Morgan on guitar (see earlier gig reviews). A man of many talents, not only does he play very beautiful accompanying and lead accoustic guitar, he also plays a mean bass guitar in this well above average covers band. We also discovered that evening, his 30th birthday, that he's a great party host - and he can turn his hand (ho ho!) to glove puppetry and ventriloquism as well ...!
So it was a sort of a party and a sort of a gig - a perfect mix and tremendously enjoyable fun.
Apparently, the band is called 'Missing Person' because they always seem to be one 'man' down (I use the quotes because the superb lead vocalist is female). You wouldn't know this because the collective sound of the band is full and strong, and they play pretty damn close cover versions of songs everyone knows - songs like 'Stuck in the Middle', 'Mustang Sally', 'I drove all night'. 'Proud Mary', 'China in Your Hand' and 'Living on a Prayer' - just perfect for a party of family and friends spanning a range of generations and musical tastes. Plus, Julian's wonderful musicianship means they can also take on - and carry off - songs with strong, unique bass lines, which most covers bands really can't - of note Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' and Free's anthemic 'All Right Now'. The latter song Julian knows so well, incidentally, his soundless rendition once won him an air guitar contest! Sounds pretty good too!
A fantastic evening!
Incidentally, I couldn't find a mySpace or website for Missing Person on the Internet, but 'Googling' unleashed pages of links to helpful websites if I were indeed unfortunate enough to be looking for a loved one, lost somewhere out there!
Review added: 22:33 Sunday, 20 April 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
VERDI'S REQUIEM PERFORMED BY WILMSLOW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE LINDOW SINGERS
THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC, MANCHESTER, SATURDAY 08/03/08
All great music should be loved, I say, regardless of genre or type, and I feel sure old Giuseppe would be moved and amused to know that his magnificent piece, written over a hundred years ago, is the subject of a 2008 gig review! Let's hope so!
I was invited to this performance by my friend Irene, a member of the Lindow Singers, whose performances I have enjoyed and been greatly moved by in the past. This was no exception. Whatever your faith, I don't see how you can fail to feel your soul deeply stirred by this incredibly powerful piece, brought to life by these hugely talented people. The soloists - Nataliya Kompaniyets (Soprano), Adrienne Murray (Mezzo-Soprano), Jeffrey Lawton (Tenor) and John Molloy (Bass) - both led the choir of singers and embraced them in their performance. I sometimes find operatic singing rather contrived and affected, but none of these soloists could have been accused of either of those - or any other - criticisms in their performance. They lived the music with their entire beings. The bass soloist, John Molloy, gave an especially tender performance. The musicianship of the orchestra was flawless and the chorus sang as one.
I was tired when I entered the auditorium but I emerged with a sense of being on a completely different plane following the performance. This is indeed great music, and I did indeed love it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_(Verdi)
http://www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/salechoral1/page8.phtml
http://www.goldbergweb.com/en/interpreters/vocals/8134.php
http://www.tnec.org.uk/Soloists/Adrienne_Murray/adrienne_murray.html
http://www.rncm.ac.uk/component/option,com_contxtd/task,view/contact_id,231/Itemid,131/
http://www.tnec.org.uk/Soloists/John_Molloy/john_molloy.html
http://www.wilmsloworchestra.fsnet.co.uk/
http://www.lindowsingers.wanadoo.co.uk/
Review added: 22:30 Sunday, 20 April 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
DR STRANGELY STRANGE + AGITATED RADIO PILOT FEATURING ALISON O'DONNELL
THE SUGAR CLUB, DUBLIN, SATURDAY 01/03/08
I saw Dr Strangely Strange at the 12 Bar Club in London last June, having never expected to see them at all and, indeed, never expecting to see them again, let alone in their native Dublin. But all things are possible these days it seems. So it was that Hubby Andy and I had an extraordinary long weekend in Dublin, culminating in this very wonderful gig at the Sugar Club.
On reading my previous review again, it occurred to me that it rather sounds like I'm describing a first kiss! Indeed, that was pretty much how it felt - something magical, mystical, joyous, entering the realms of fantasy even. Sadly, therefore, like such a first kiss, it could never be experienced again! So, while the Sugar Club gig was probably a better gig musically, apparently better rehearsed, it was impossible for me to be quite so enchanted a second time. So, do I regret going? Not on your life!
For a start, I'd never been to Dublin before, or indeed anywhere in Ireland, and Andy and I had a fantastic time during our stay there, including meeting up with friends Deena and Adrian (see earlier gig review below) and their friends Andy (another one!) and Gaynor and having a lovely meal out with them, as well as sitting in the front row with them (thanks A & D!) at the gig. We spent the rest of the weekend doing touristy stuff in and around Dublin but there's so much to do and see, we plan to return again another time. I'm also thrilled to say I got to meet my heroes again and also Alison O'Donnell, formerly of Mellow Candle, whose legendary album, 'Swaddling Songs', I have raved about often since first hearing it in 1987, and I play tracks from it regularly on Radio Starlion. Sadly, I always turn into a ninny when I meet artists I admire. I realise this is ridiculous, especially when they are this approachable, but I guess partly due to the unlikelihood of my ever even seeing them at all, somehow, somewhere in my mind, they stay in the realms of fantasy. This, clearly, is my problem!
The music was wonderful, as expected. I really enjoyed the support band 'Agitated Radio Pilot', with Alison O'Donnell singing. There was a traditional feel to their set but, apparently added to that, an interesting mix of influences and, not least, the bridging of eras and ages that Alison inevitably brought. The sound was gentle and pleasing to my ears. The Dr Strange set was similar to the 12-Bar gig, if longer, but all great, and it was especially lovely for me to hear songs from 'Kip of the Serenes' again, since that is the album I remain most fond of. 'Strings of the Earth and Air' took on new meaning for me in James Joyce's own Dublin, the lyrics coming from the Joyce poem 'Chamber Music', but the song that delightfully stayed with me the most, for some reason, was 'Hames and Traces' - just couldn't get it out of my head. (Sorry, not your song Kylie!) Towards the end of the set the Strangelies were joined by Davy McFarlane on harmonica, Ivan Pawle's son on lead electric guitar, Tim Booth's son on bass guitar and Tim Goulding's nephew on drums. These naturally added a fuller sound, and I especially enjoyed the harmonica parts. The additions were respectful and took nothing from the integral cham of the core band sound while Ivan Junior playing the Gary Moore bit on 'Sign on my Mind' was particularly engaging.
Tim Goulding's T-shirt bore the legend 'Strangely Trapped But Oddly Free', which struck a chord with me (a conundrum proving to be my life's work!) and also helped me understand - maybe - why this experience was so different from the London gig last summer. OK, The 12 Bar was a much smaller venue, it was hot, it was summer and it was an exciting surprise. But perhaps there is too a world of difference between getting together with your old mates for a one-off fun gig, discovering loyal fans you may not have realised you had, and a much more formal affair, which is, probably despite all best efforts for it not to be, what the Sugar Club gig inevitably was. One-offs are easy but even one follow-up brings with it an element of the serious, the routine, striving for the ever elusive perfectionism, and I did sense some of that from them. This, I fear, is a sad fact of life. however, we play the same records over again because we love them and the ones we really take to our hearts ultimately we never tire of - ah yes, and aren't records just like life?! Of course they are! So, yes, for all that, I loved this gig - and would always see Dr Strangely Strange again, anywhere I could get to!
Below is my review of the 12 Bar gig last June for ease of reference and here's a link to Andy Roberts' excellent review, which is less subjective and meandering than this one and includes a proper set list: http://www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv3/meugher.com/wwwroot/page11.htm
http://www.myspace.com/drstrangelystrange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPRKHYHKgkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQsKSAMKwQ&feature=related
http://www.alisonodonnell.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=106987993
http://psychedelicfolk.homestead.com/MELLOWCANDLE.html
http://www.myspace.com/agitatedradiopilot
http://www.thesugarclub.com/
DR STRANGELY STRANGE
12 BAR CLUB, DENMARK STREET, LONDON, SATURDAY 16/06/07
Dr Strangely Strange is a band I first knew about around 1969, aged about 11. My big sister had bought their first album 'Kip of the Serenes' on its release, having enjoyed, like many, a taster of their delightful uniqueness in 'Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal', a strangely (!) endearing track featured on the Island compilation album 'Nice Enough to Eat', which itself has brought deep joy to many (and together with the earlier sister sampler 'You Can All Join In', formed the basis for my entire record collection and special love of this genre). Then, in a rare act of big-sisterly generosity of spirit, she shared her first playing of it with me. Aged 11, I giggled and grinned throughout that and each (numerous!) playing thereafter of 'Kip of the Serenes', and I can't begin to tell you just how thrilled I was to witness the good Doctor releasing the same gleeful, playful spirit into the small, devoted audience I was a lucky part of at the 12 Bar Club on Saturday 16 June 2007!
It had never occurred to me in 1969 - or at any point in the interim for that matter - that in 2007 I'd be singing along to a live performance of 'Oddly Normal', 'Roy Rogers', 'Ship of Fools, 'Donnybrook Fair', etc etc, sharing the experience with some of my favourite people on Earth (and elsewhere!) and grinning all over my stupid face! If Heaven exists and I'm not refused admission, I'd like to think that's how I'd spend eternity! On Saturday at least I surely had a sneak preview of the Kingdom of Heaven!
An exclusive (limited ticket entry!) date in a tiny but superbly atmospheric venue, it was their first gig in very many years, timed to coincide with the release of the album 'Halcyon Days', a collection of previously unreleased songs from 1969-70 plus 3 new songs, which of course I am now enjoying. In fact, the new material has the same innocent yet wise charm of the old. The world today needs that charm.
The evening's entertainment began with the showing of two short films, 'Strangelies in Dalston' a beautiful 1969 silent film by Iain Sinclair, played to an inspired soundtrack mix of 'Kip of the Serenes', which followed 'ULYS' (James Joyce's 'Ulysses' in 5 minutes!), a breathtakingly creative animation (also silent, though unintentionally!) by Tim Booth.
The hugely talented and fabulously dramatic 'Something in the Water', supporting, were on next - and I would urge you to check out their mySpace link below.
Then the anticipation could contain itself no longer! Original Strangelies Tim Booth, Tim Goulding and Ivan Pawle, together with Joe Thoma (a band member since 1980) on fiddle and mandolin, took to the stage and plunged straight in with their 'hit' (!), then proceeded to delight us all with their unique gentle hippie-esque blend of Irish folk-rock, a bit bluesy too in parts, and the perceptively poetically surreal in song for the best part of 2 hours, intertwining the known and the loved with snippets of the newer and the newly unearthed. I already have a special affection for the 'Halcyon Days' track, 'Horse of a Different Hue', not least because Joni Mitchell once raved about it!
Having opened the set with 'Oddly Normal', I wondered what they could possibly close on, but they thrilled me once again with a song I know well and love, 'Sign on My Mind', an epic track from 2nd album 'Heavy Petting' (1970) featuring Gary Moore - yes, THAT Gary Moore, and, no, he didn't leap from the wings to do his guitar solo! Shame!
Throughout, these lovely, funny, ageless, limitless people gave of themselves completely. But, were it not for Adrian Whittaker (who kindly appears on one of my 'Folk Connections' shows, talking about the Incredible String Band Book he edited, 'Be Glad') and partner Deena Omar (my good friend for many years, who also contributed to 'Be Glad', incidentally), I might not have known about it at all. Indeed, without them it might not have happened at all. Adrian was a key figure in unearthing the previously undiscovered material and indeed (with the help of Brian O'Reilly of Hux Records, Joe Boyd, their former record producer and founder of the legendary Witchseason Records, and Dr Strangely Strange themselves) in getting 'Halcyon Days' released. Deena and Adrian together alone organised the event - and I gather Deena also acted as ('electric'?!) landlady to the band at the weekend. Adrian's interview with the band - and I think a recording of the gig itself - will be aired on Resonance FM in the near future.
This was, without question, my favourite gig ever - unlikely to be surpassed by any to come. For me, it really doesn't get any better than this!
http://www.myspace.com/drstrangelystrange
http://www.huxrecords.com/
www.myspace.com/somethinginthewatermusic
http://www.joeboyd.co.uk/
http://www.resonancefm.com/
http://www.resonancefm.com/listings/20031007.html
http://www.12barclub.com/
Adrian Whittaker:
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/begladbook.htm
http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/book-reviews/beglad.html
Deena Omar:
http://thoughtcat.com/sa4qe/do.htm
http://www.foe.co.uk/living/poundsavers/saying_goodbye.html
Review added: 13:31 Saturday, 8 March 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
MARY HAMPTON + THIRTY POUNDS OF BONE + THE R G MORRISON
'RED DEER CLUB', FUEL CAFE, WILMSLOW ROAD, SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2008
The last days of the Red Deer Club in its current incarnation continue sweetly, if sorrowfully, with three beautifully winsome acts.
Of these, only Mary Hampton was known to me. I saw her about a year ago at a gig at the King's Head, Crouch End, down in London about a year ago as a support act (see Dan Arborise gig review 16/02/07 on Gig Archive page) and was keen both to see her headlining a year on and to meet her. I'd included her track 'Fare Thee Well' on 'Folk Connections', a show I present on Radio Starlion, and was relieved that she was happy with that as I'd not been able to contact her to OK it with her beforehand. In fact she was really lovely about it, and delighted when I gave her a CD copy of that show and told her that on it she'd been my link between Dan Arborise (and his heroes Nick Drake and John Martyn) and the Incredible String Band!
She'd had accompanying musicians with her at the King's Head gig last year, but here she was completely solo with absolutely nothing to detract from her pure clear voice and guitar playing, which I found quite starkly beautiful if more challenging emotionally. I'd mainly heard her versions of old folk songs previously, but her set this time I think comprised purely her own compositions. It would be hard to tell which was which because her style really seems to embrace an old feel with intensely moving, and unusually poetically literate, ballad style lyrics, a strong but wistful voice, so high you'd expect it to be shrill but isn't, and lute-like guitar playing. She said her guitar was very old - it certainly wasn't a 'modern' instrument, and that definitely adds to the intrigue and sense of the old. (CD sleeve notes tell me it might actually have been a tenor guitar.) Andy (Hubby) astutely observed a similar feel to that of The Goblin Market's 'Ghostland', (2000) a beautiful album which puts to music poetry by Christina Rossetti, Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Siddall and Edgar Allan Poe together with new songs written so respectfully like them it's hard to tell them apart.
Mary's songs are pretty sad but often witty and overall deeply moving. I was happy to buy her new (as yet unreleased) CD, 'My Mother's Children', without even hearing it - to her surprise! - and, rightly, it does not disappoint. I think most, if not all, the songs on it made up her set and so far my favourite is 'Honey', a bluesy love song with the gorgeous refrain 'When I drank the honey, I drank the bee'. Love it! 'Pygmalion' is a beautiful close second. I highly recommend.
I really liked support acts The R G Morrison and Thirty Pounds of Bone too. First up, The R G Morrison. fronted by RG himself, like Mary Hampton and Thirty Pounds of Bone, records on the Drift label. Indeed, said RG is co-founder of the Drift label and the Drift Collective. RG (initials used for reasons of brevity, not familiarity!) was for me the least intense of the three acts, but not lacking in depth at all for that with well crafted songs and carefully complemented arrangements. The harmonies he formed with his two fellow band members (so sorry, can't remember names and not clear on 'mySpace') were really beautiful, with a kind of late '60s West Coast feel. The female vocals were particularly sweet and I would love to have heard her sing lead. I do remember that the accompanying electric guitarist had come up from Devon for this gig, which was pretty impressive, as was his musical contribution. In fact it was the harmonies, musical and vocal, that really did it for me. I especially love their song 'Summer Bride'. Indeed, they brought the sounds of summer to a cold February Manchester - quite a feat!
I wittered some nonsense to Johnny Lamb of Thirty Pounds of Bone after the gig. A 'lark' rather than an 'owl', there's very little chance of my making any sense at all at that time of night! (There may not be much more at any other time of day these days!) What I wanted to say was that in his performance he had communicated with me beyond words. On reflection, it figures there are no words to describe that! Anyway, apologies for nonsensical wittering - I loved the set. I was especially impressed that accompanying violinist/keyboardist/vocalist Sally McGee managed to sing with her head tilted at an impossible angle because of a fiercely independent mic stand! On listening to some recorded tracks on mySpace following the gig, I heard shades of Billy Bragg's ballad style of songwriting, which I love, especially on 'The Homesick Children of Migrant Mothers, and indeed all the best things about the Pogues are nodded to in 'Drinking with McGee'! If they really had been drinking since 3.0 p.m., they did extraordinarily well! Whatever their influences, I liked them a lot!
I have long believed that experiencing 'art' as an audience is not a passive act - there may be as many different performances as there are audience members. I believe this was a gig that, for greatest enjoyment and understanding, demanded the full attention of the audience and the full use of all creative receptors. They certainly had all mine.
http://www.myspace.com/maryhampton
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=27520059
http://www.myspace.com/thergmorrison
http://www.last.fm/music/The+R.G.+Morrison
http://www.myspace.com/reddeerclub
http://www.cameraobscura.com.au/cam041.htm
Review added: 11:50 Sunday, 10 February 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
LAZYBONES + DAVID A JAYCOCK TRIO + MAGPAHI
'MINDTRAIN', FUEL CAFE, WILMSLOW ROAD, FRIDAY 18 JANUARY 2008
My first proper gig of the year and it was just delightful!
Some fairly known quantities here: I knew it was being organised by Rob of Zero Records/Art of Tea/? Mindtrain (always so many people/organisations involved - confusing for my ageing pea-brain! Argh!) - whose tastes I know now I can generally trust; I have heard and thoroughly enjoyed some tracks by Lazybones thanks to said Rob; and I have now visited the very lovely Fuel Cafe several times now, for yummy lunches and equally yummy sounds! I had especially good feelings about this one - and I was right!
Rob was playing some interesting tracks while the bands were getting ready - I proudly recognised Mellow Candle, which sat well amongst some other obscurer tracks I didn't know. I loved the whole set, and it was a superb scene-setter for the live acts to follow:
Magpahi (? pronounced Magpie?!) were first on and were just lovely. Alison has the dreamiest voice and plays recorder (not simultaneously!) and harmonium beautifully to Sam's gentle and empathetic guitar accompaniment. I kept hearing shades of ISB's 'Painting Box', which was most pleasing. I smiled inwardly - and sometimes outwardly! - throughout their set.
David Jaycock is presumably the lead guitarist of the David A Jaycock Trio. He was mostly playing a classical (or Spanish?) guitar (intriguing in itself), and briefly an electric guitar, and I was awe-struck by the beauty and intricacy of his playing. Call me old-fashioned (!) but I really just wanted to hear him play. That's not to denigrate his accompanying musicians, who were indeed bringing something spellbinding to the party. It's just that for me there was too much going on. It may be that I'd appreciate them better in a larger venue, or that they just stood out between the gentle simplicity of the other two acts. I'd be keen to hear them again in different circumstances.
I was thrilled to see Lazybones live at last! I have, as I say, been enjoying his EP lately and I've often heard Rob talk of him enthusiastically. I love his guitar playing and was keenly following his agile fingers up and down the fretboard from my prime position at the front. I was interested to read on his mySpace that his influences include: Townes Van Zandt, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham, Shirley Collins, The Smiths, and John Cooper Clarke. Some of those wouldn't have been obvious to me from just hearing him, but make very much more sense to me now having experienced his performance. Actually, I hear David Bowie most strongly in my mind's ear (!) when listening to Lazybones, both in guitar and voice - and indeed lyrically at times too. I've certainly been listening to 'The Man Who Sold the World' with new ears as a result. The wit of Johnny Clarke and Morrisey most definitely seep through. Tres enjoyable!
I have invited Magpahi and Lazybones to each do a 'Saturday Session' on Radio Starlion, and I do hope both will happen. Perhaps David Jaycock and friends would consider an acoustic session too ...?
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=78718636
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Sold-World/dp/B00001OH7N
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=135878591
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=182618368
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012F91WK/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk3?ie=UTF8&qid=1160687555&sr=8-3
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=110685106
http://www.myspace.com/theartoftea
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/zerorecords/page6.htm
http://www.carling.com/beerfinder/venue_details/5783/manchester/Fuel%20Café%20Bar
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38769559
Review added: 20:23 Sunday, 20 January 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
DRIVE NORTH WEST + DENISE MORGAN & JULIAN HOMER
BRITANNIA AIRPORT HOTEL, NORTHENDEN, SATURDAY 5 JANUARY 2008
This was a very special 'gig'! In fact these wonderful musicians played at my 50th birthday party, and were integral to making it an absolutely amazing evening for me.
Denise and Julian did their usual thing (see any one of my (4!) previous rave reviews for them) to my predictable pleasure and also to the unexpected joy of those of my guests who'd never seen them before. Unlike the other times I've seen them, of course this really did feel special as they were playing especially for me and I was particularly moved by their version of 'Crazy' which they did at my request. Just beautiful.
I had of course seen Drive North West last March (see gig review 04/03/07) and in fact booked them for my party on the strength of that. I knew they'd be good - but I hadn't appreciated exactly how good they would be for this occasion. My guests came from a mix of backgrounds and musical tastes but, together with Denise and Julian, Drive North West seemed to transcend all of those. They were wonderful entertainment, great to dance to or simply foot-tap, and they exuded a very deep and sincere warmth and vibrancy - just perfect. They learnt 'Carpet of the Sun' especially for me and did a wonderful job of it. That was very definitely the high point for me, closely followed by 'Rockin' in the Free World' at the end - I really felt like I was. They are wonderful musicians and a delightful bunch of people. I'd recommend them highly!
I've had immense positive feedback from my guests, with comments including: 'best band I've seen in ages', 'wonderful live music', 'better than any party band I've seen' etc, and I know that between them Denise, Julian and Drive North West absolutely made the party a particularly unique one. Thanks guys!
It's very strange for me to look at that age now - number 50! It just doesn't seem to match how I feel - younger and sillier than ever. It was a great party - thank you to everyone who came (and for all kind words, thoughts, gifts, cards and donations to the charities I suggested) and especially to Dave of Drive North West, who asked the band to play for me, and of course Denise and Julian. Thanks indeed also to Harriet Mellor, Functions Manager at the Britannia Airport Hotel, Antonia of Refresh for fantastic food and my dear friend Irene for yummy desserts and much else besides. But, above all, eternal gratitude to Andy, my husband, for the party and very very much else ...
Happy Birthday to me!
http://www.drivenorthwest.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtSQFewjDD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02z3gIg9lcQ
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=44194463
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/76939-Refresh-Manchester
http://www.britanniahotels.com/hotel_home.asp?page=68
Review added: 20:18 Sunday, 20 January 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
JOHN SMITH + SARAH LOWES + NANCY ELIZABETH CUNLIFFE
SACRED TRINITY CHURCH, CHAPEL STREET, SALFORD, THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER 2007
Having seen John Smith unintentionally blow Davey Graham off the Lowry stage at the end of October, I knew that this promised to be a wonderful gig. What I didn't know was that we were all going to be sitting on bean bags on the floor of a most beautiful old church. Seems like a weird combination, but it really worked! I had the most fantastic evening!
I have seen Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe several times before but never with a band and this obviously gave her a much fuller sound and stage presence. I'm sorry to say that, while she is clearly a very talented musician, the actual content of her material underneath all that still doesn't inspire me terribly. I did really enjoy Sara Lowes and her band though. Her songs are interesting and the arrangements unusual and perhaps of another time and place though sitting very comfortably in the here and now. She and her sister harmonise keyboards and vocals beautifully and with polished proficiency, but not without soul or emotion - dripping with both in fact. I felt a real sincerity and purity of vision from her. I was deeply moved.
John Smith was, predictably, amazing! He seemed to be equally comfortable as Davey Graham's support act at the Lowry and here as headlining act in this warm pre-Christmas (non-religious!) church gig. He has a warm, easy rapport with his audience, and he was really nice to talk to after the gig too, happily signing CDs and chatting to everyone with a friendliness like he knew us all. His bluesy voice and playing are without fault throughout and take me to places of deep peace and freedom of spirit. I haven't stopped playing his CD since - and probably won't.
I gather this is to be one of the last 'Red Deer Club' gigs - this is a great shame. Those I've been to have been superb, this one especially, though I gather they will continue after the last one in May 2008 as a record label 'and other avenues'. I'll be watching with interest.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=43995702
http://www.myspace.com/nancyelizabethcunliffe
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=119439077
http://www.myspace.com/reddeerclub
http://www.salfordchurch.org/Sacred_Trinity.html
Review added: 20:16 Sunday, 20 January 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
EMMA TRICCA + BETH JEANS HOUGHTON + THE STILL HOUR + LIZ MURPHY
DULCIMER, WILBRAHAM ROAD, CHORLTON, MANCHESTER M21, SUNDAY 02/12/07
I attended this gig on the enthusiastic recommendation of Rob at Zero Records/The Art of Tea in Didsbury, who/which I've mentioned previously. It came at the end of a very busy week and I was determined to go, not least because I'd been keen to see Emma Tricca from Rob's positive appraisal and from what I'd heard on her mySpace. I was also very curious to check out Dulcimer, the new folk venue in Chorlton.
This being my first visit to Dulcimer, I'm afraid I didn't experience a venue with the warmth and intimacy of some others I've been to recently and, for a place showcasing itself as a key folk venue, I think that's a great pity. But I am keen to go again because clearly all the right elements are there.
Though I went primarily to see Emma Tricca, I was sad not to have been able to give the support acts true justice. This was partly because I was late getting there but, sadly, mostly because, due to the layout of the venue, it just wasn't possible to see or hear them properly. There were a few seats down the front, some empty in fact, but I couldn't see them because so many people were crowding around the main way through, so I was stuck in the narrow area at the back behind people chatting like they were in a pub and not caring who was bothering to give their all on stage. Despite all that, I did enjoy what I heard of The Still Hour, and their mySpace confirms just how good they really are. Sadly I missed Liz Murphy entirely and I can't find a mySpace or anything else online for her. By the time I did eventually get to the few rows of seats in the front, Beth Jeans Houghton was just about to start. It may have been that the tension in and around me (including the guy at the end of the row being so fraught he spilled his entire drink on the floor!) affected my enjoyment of her obvious talent, but I'm afraid I just didn't really get her.
I did love Emma Tricca, though. She opened with the Arlo Guthrie song 'Coming into Los Angeles', which I've never heard anyone else do. It's a great song (intrinsically associated with Woodstock) and I was really impressed with her rendition. She did a mix of original songs and covers, all of which well demonstrated her beautifully mournful voice and clear, intricate guitar picking style. I quickly became transfixed and lost myself in her music. She certainly turned the evening around for me and I'd love to see her again and I would, as I say, like to give Dulcimer another go.
http://www.emmatricca.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=59751370
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX_xeYrPQUg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXD5kUzBG4&feature=related
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=205226269
http://www.emmatricca.com/gig-details.php?gig_id=36
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=189536113
http://www.myvillage.com/manchester/restaurants-review-art-of-tea.htm
Review added: 20:14 Sunday, 20 January 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
DENISE MORGAN & JULIAN HOMER
8TH DAY CAFE, OXFORD ROAD, FRIDAY 02/11/07
Another blinder from Denise and Julian!
It is therefore a shame that this Friday afternoon session at this venue was as poorly attended as the other 2 I have seen there.
The 8th Day is, as I have said, a wonderful place. These sessions are a great idea. Perhaps the staff aren't well enough informed, perhaps the sessions are just not publicised widely enough - I don't know - but for all three I have seen, the audience has largely comprised the friends of the act. It must be very disconcerting for the performers. There's great potential here, but it just doesn't seem to be reaching fruition.
At least Denise played at the other end of the cafe space, away from the serving area, as I had previously thought would be much better. The sound was indeed less echoey and there were fewer distractions. Having now seen Denise and Julian play several times, I do know most of their repertoire now but there were a few songs I didn't know: 'Summer Song', 'My Favourite Lad' and 'When You Go Home' and, of these, 'Summer Song' I liked especially, perhaps because it took me away from a cold November afternoon! Julian did a couple of solo instrumentals too: 'Ants in the Kettle' (based on a true event, which Julian relished describing in great detail - urgh!) and 'Hurricane'. I have already mentioned in previous reviews how highly I rate Denise as a singer-songwriter - this time I really got a taste of just how good a guitarist Julian is too. Their rapport is delightful and most entertaining.
To my shame, I arrived once the set had already started, and my sense of guilt was multiplied when I realised Denise was singing 'You Really Should Have Been There'! I really should! So should the rest of the audience Denise and Julian deserve.
http://www.denisemorgan.org.uk/
http://www.eighth-day.co.uk/
Review added: 20:09 Sunday, 20 January 2008
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
JOHN COOPER CLARKE
PACIFIC ARTS CENTRE, BIRKENHEAD, THURSDAY 01/11/07
The first thing I heard by John Cooper Clarke was a single that came out in the mid '70s called 'I married a monster from outer space'. It was like nothing I'd ever heard before. It was hilarious and it was brilliant - and it was current. Although his style was very different, of course, he seemed to capture a similar whacky kind of genius to that of Viv Stanshall and the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band in the previous decade.
'I married a monster' was not presented on that single as a poem. It was much more than a poem. It was much more than a man reciting a poem over backing music. That ostensibly was what it was - but it was much more than that. He was almost singing. There was a musical lilt and rhythm to his voice, which worked with the music rather than over it. John Cooper Clarke comes from Higher Broughton in North Manchester. His accent is loud, broad and accentuated. A teenager in Essex, I'd never really heard anyone speak like that! Now a displaced Southerner based in South Manchester for nearly 15 years, I have heard others speak in a similar way - but not quite!
John Cooper Clarke is, quite simply, a one-off! He is indeed a poet, and a brilliantly funny and clever one. But he's more than that too. He's kind of a comedian. He's kind of a philosopher/social commentator. He looks like no-one else. He's just about the thinnest a person can be without looking emaciated. He has wild, once naturally black hair, which he's trained to match his angular body. 'Punk poet' is perhaps the easiest description, and in some ways apt because he could probably only have been borne out of the punk era, but that leaves out so much. He is extraordinary!
He is of course 30 years older now, as are we all! His act is drizzled in that theme. I know that I loved his performance at Birkenhead and laughed almost constantly. I was determined to remember the shorter poems and jokes but sadly, being 30 years older too, my memory is not what it was! (When IS someone going to invent a memory card for humans?!) One thing I remember him saying very clearly was this: 'There are 3 good things about Alzheimer's disease: 1. You can hide your own Easter eggs. 2. You can meet new people every day. 3. You can hide your own Easter eggs.' Brilliant!
Maybe less is more!
http://www.johncooperclarke.com/
http://www.pacificroad.co.uk/webpages/index.asp
http://www.thegigcartel.com/
Review added: 10:39 Sunday, 25 November 2007
[ Main Menu | Back | Next Page ]
DAVEY GRAHAM + JOHN SMITH
LOWRY CENTRE, SALFORD, TUESDAY 30/10/07
There's always an element of risk involved in seeing a 'legend'. For a start the label implies age if not necessarily longevity and infamy if not necessarily fame. If there's been a gap since top of career, who knows what the intervening years have brought. Sadly, therefore, it wasn't too much of