There are some acts that come into a certain category that is probably politely labelled "Mediocre." I can't really describe just what it is, but this is another of those acts, perhaps along with Jez Lowe, who you read about here.
Mrs Ackroyd's Band is led by Les Barker - a "performance poet" who looks to me a little like Benny Hill got a bit old, sporting a rather dreadful cardigan that has a hint of being an old friend rather than a stage prop. Poor Les was full of cold, which probably didn't help much, and he seemed to be rather bent and insipid. All that aside, I have no doubt that Les has an acid wit that reveals itself in some of the excellent lyrics he produces, notably for me the bang up to date political satire that makes up his best work, eg "Tony Blair's Picnic" and he no doubt has his serious side too - he clearly has a good heart.
Les is accompanied by a band: Chris Harvey on a keyboard/synth that mostly sounds like a 1970's sci-fi movie soundtrack that also provides karioke style backing tracks. Alison Younger on vocals and Hillary Spencer also on vocals. I think I should just say that despite Les' writing talents, this band is just "not my cup of tea" and I was disappointed - having said that, most of the audience seemed to love it, many seemed familiar with the material too, confirming a long running affection for this act.
Not for me though, I'll be passing on this one in future.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
John O'Connell - Eastham Ferry Tap - 13/12/2005
Now here's a bloke who just seems to love playing - once he gets going! John sat in his corner in the narrow confines of the Tap's bar, waiting until he was well and truly ready before launching into his more than competent set, and then with just pauses between numbers and an occasional quip, he played and he played and he played. In the end we had to tell him it was time to go home, and he still played 2 more!
I like John's style, he's got a great voice, fantastic guitar skills, uses his own amp and desk and has Jimmy play bass alongside him some of the time. His rendition of Marc Almond's "Say hello, wave goodbye" is extraordinary (spot the pun) and his fingerwork in his own version of "moondance" is just phenomenal
A good crowd turned out to hear him, and they were not disappointed. Catch him live if you can, his CD's of original material contain good songs, but the production is nothing like as good as the live act.
I like John's style, he's got a great voice, fantastic guitar skills, uses his own amp and desk and has Jimmy play bass alongside him some of the time. His rendition of Marc Almond's "Say hello, wave goodbye" is extraordinary (spot the pun) and his fingerwork in his own version of "moondance" is just phenomenal
A good crowd turned out to hear him, and they were not disappointed. Catch him live if you can, his CD's of original material contain good songs, but the production is nothing like as good as the live act.
Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation - Wolverhampton Civic Hall 12/12/2005
"Welcome home!" Robert Plant's evocation from the stage on the first of 2 sold out dates in his home town was made with a wry smile on his face and a sparkle is his eye. After 96 dates in the last 12 months, this long tour was finally reaching its climatic end and the crowd sounded keen to celebrate.
We were ready! After the very real disappointment felt following WOMAD (see earlier), Gill and I really wanted this to be a good'un, so we were ready and eager when the support came on, hoping that they would get things going in fine style. The "Those Legendary Shack Shakers" came on, turned everything up to number 12, and then forced the knobs around to 13 launching into a fast, loud and virtually un-listen-able-to set that might be described as punk-rock-a-billy, with a great double-bass and drum rhythm section, a clearly talented guitarist with a nice looking white (Gretsch?) instrument, they could have been fantastic, but the distortion caused by the volume made it a chore and the act's aggressive and provocative gesturing alienated themselves even more. It was a relief once they had finished and we will leave it at that.
Maybe there was a silver lining though, because any lingering blockages in the ears had now been well and truely disintegrated and after a seemingly interminable wait, the joss sticks finally arrived on-stage and the Strange Sensation led Robert onto the stage and into "Freedom Fries." At last, we felt, there was life in this band after all - the worries of WOMAD were shook off and we were treated to a real concert - one in which we could hear the separate instruments and appreciate the superb music that the band were making. The crowd too seemed to be enjoying it - Early on a fan roared out between songs: "We love you Robert!" earning himself the slightly coy response: "I love me too...!"
Some of the old stuff "still fits" said Robert, offering "Black Dog" from his previous life, and later "Going to California" more acoustically, but not without the ever present and most impressive electronics and keyboards from Portishead's John Baggot, and some nice mandolin from Justin Adams, who later produced some amazing sound from a gimbri - a kind of African Lute. Still in semi-acoustic mode, we got "Another Tribe" with its Eastern keyboard washes and driving rhythm. Skin Tyson is the Sensation's
lead guitar - a master of his art he wrung the neck of his instruments at times, shaking the last decibel of feedback out, or flicking the thing at his amps to produce a surge.
"The Mighty Re-Arranger" album ("we've been nominated for 2 GRAMMY Awards, maybe the 'Express and Star' will get round to an article about it eventually") naturally featured heavily, with "Shine it all Around" and "Tin Play Alley" - a song which lopes along quietly then suddenly bursts out with an energy-laden explosion not unlike Led Zep might have done long ago, "The Enchanter", "Let the 4 winds Blow", "Takamba" and the title track. I'm impressed, listening now to the album, how well they managed to transfer the complex sound from the studio into the live environment, no mean feat, but helped along by the high calibre musicians Plant has chosen to play with him. They band seem to be able to handle both the old and the new, switching from the new album to go back to the 1970's again to play a tribute to "the song that all the psychedelic bands covered back then" - "Hey Joe" which was on Plant's previous "Dreamland" album. How does all this work? Well Alexis Petridis summed it up very well in his Guardian review of the "Mighty Re-arranger" album: "none of it sounds like pastiche, possibly because these nods to the past are surrounded by music that fixes its gaze firmly forward."
They wrapped the night up with a quiet boogie doodle which I suddenly remembered from the previous gig would lead into "Whole Lotta Love" and when it came, the whole audience roared with appreciation and the place rocked out to a rip-snorting version of this Zeppelin standard that was just magic, lead and driven by Clive Deamer's impeccable drumming which had been present throughout the night.
So Plant's homecoming was a great success - and for Robert there was a great line during the usual call and response stuff - winding the crowd up he shouted out- "Come on you lot - I've come a long way for this!" So had we – so glad we made the trip.
We were ready! After the very real disappointment felt following WOMAD (see earlier), Gill and I really wanted this to be a good'un, so we were ready and eager when the support came on, hoping that they would get things going in fine style. The "Those Legendary Shack Shakers" came on, turned everything up to number 12, and then forced the knobs around to 13 launching into a fast, loud and virtually un-listen-able-to set that might be described as punk-rock-a-billy, with a great double-bass and drum rhythm section, a clearly talented guitarist with a nice looking white (Gretsch?) instrument, they could have been fantastic, but the distortion caused by the volume made it a chore and the act's aggressive and provocative gesturing alienated themselves even more. It was a relief once they had finished and we will leave it at that.
Maybe there was a silver lining though, because any lingering blockages in the ears had now been well and truely disintegrated and after a seemingly interminable wait, the joss sticks finally arrived on-stage and the Strange Sensation led Robert onto the stage and into "Freedom Fries." At last, we felt, there was life in this band after all - the worries of WOMAD were shook off and we were treated to a real concert - one in which we could hear the separate instruments and appreciate the superb music that the band were making. The crowd too seemed to be enjoying it - Early on a fan roared out between songs: "We love you Robert!" earning himself the slightly coy response: "I love me too...!"
Some of the old stuff "still fits" said Robert, offering "Black Dog" from his previous life, and later "Going to California" more acoustically, but not without the ever present and most impressive electronics and keyboards from Portishead's John Baggot, and some nice mandolin from Justin Adams, who later produced some amazing sound from a gimbri - a kind of African Lute. Still in semi-acoustic mode, we got "Another Tribe" with its Eastern keyboard washes and driving rhythm. Skin Tyson is the Sensation's
lead guitar - a master of his art he wrung the neck of his instruments at times, shaking the last decibel of feedback out, or flicking the thing at his amps to produce a surge.
"The Mighty Re-Arranger" album ("we've been nominated for 2 GRAMMY Awards, maybe the 'Express and Star' will get round to an article about it eventually") naturally featured heavily, with "Shine it all Around" and "Tin Play Alley" - a song which lopes along quietly then suddenly bursts out with an energy-laden explosion not unlike Led Zep might have done long ago, "The Enchanter", "Let the 4 winds Blow", "Takamba" and the title track. I'm impressed, listening now to the album, how well they managed to transfer the complex sound from the studio into the live environment, no mean feat, but helped along by the high calibre musicians Plant has chosen to play with him. They band seem to be able to handle both the old and the new, switching from the new album to go back to the 1970's again to play a tribute to "the song that all the psychedelic bands covered back then" - "Hey Joe" which was on Plant's previous "Dreamland" album. How does all this work? Well Alexis Petridis summed it up very well in his Guardian review of the "Mighty Re-arranger" album: "none of it sounds like pastiche, possibly because these nods to the past are surrounded by music that fixes its gaze firmly forward."
They wrapped the night up with a quiet boogie doodle which I suddenly remembered from the previous gig would lead into "Whole Lotta Love" and when it came, the whole audience roared with appreciation and the place rocked out to a rip-snorting version of this Zeppelin standard that was just magic, lead and driven by Clive Deamer's impeccable drumming which had been present throughout the night.
So Plant's homecoming was a great success - and for Robert there was a great line during the usual call and response stuff - winding the crowd up he shouted out- "Come on you lot - I've come a long way for this!" So had we – so glad we made the trip.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Neither the Old Rope String Band, nor the Doghouse Skiffle Band - The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme - 16/12/2005
It was the night for being late - the Doghouse, as were to discover later, were late for the afternoon rehearsal, Mrs something-or-other who had met up with them, managed to miss the first 10 minutes - and Gill & I managed to miss - well, the whole set! I have to put my hand up here and admit that setting off down the wrong road didn't help, but it was always going to be close, but I reckoned we would see the second half of the DHS set. I had phoned the Theatre in advance and was told that there was only the DHS playing, so it was a real shock to discover that once we finally managed to gain entry, Garry was just coming from back-stage to flog their CDs - and they were done for the night. Woe, woe and thrice woe! We retired hurt and sought solace in a cup of coffee before seeking out the band in the foyer and trying to decide what to do. Thank goodness we did! We were soon to discover that, as suspected, the Old Rope String Band would not be appearing, but that tonight was the WORLD PREMIER of the New Rope String Band! The Doghouse were keen to see them, so we sorted out a ticket and were led to a pair of box seats in the rather cosy New Vic Theatre.
In case this is all new to you, the Old Rope String Band was devastated when Joe Skurfield was killed by a drunk-driver earlier in the year, leaving the remaining members, Pete and Tim to ponder on how best to proceed. We witnessed one of their moving tributes to Joe at the Bridgnorth Folk Festival in the summer, and there they announced that they would be seeking to move on in some form or other. We had, as I mentioned checked with the theatre because there was no mention of tonight's gig on the band's website, hence the expectation of a long DHS set - but enough rambling, what of the performance????
We were still in a bit of a confused state when we sat down, and when we did, the 4 members of the NRSB were just getting going - Pete and Tim have recruited Vera and Jock to bolster the line up, and they were quickly into their stride with their new act. Its pretty much more of the same thing, but with new options, new songs, new moves and perhaps even new jokes. It would be harsh to judge them against the Old Rope String Band - the dynamic is different without Joe Scurfield, so the comparison is hardly fair, although it might be true to say that it needs at least 2 people to take his place, and talking to Pete Challoner later, we learnt of many "dark moments" in rehearsals and of their sense of relief at finally getting their act together and out into the world again.
Their work has certainly been worthwhile. The audience was in pleats, there was slapstick, pathos, a great new angle on the old "lets-play-the-accordion-standing-on-my-head-upside-down-in-a-fishtank-full-of-water" routine, some fantastic knot dances and one standout routine which involved a game of musical catch in which Tim gets to play piggy in the middle while the other 3 hurl an invisible musical note around using their violins like tennis rackets - brilliantly timed and very funny. Its good family entertainment too - no strong language and only one lavatorial moment which is so funny nobody would mind. The music is folk - violin, guitar mandolin from the new Dutch recruit - Vera, accordion and, er, horns - no not that kind, rubber bulbed horns from old cars - you'll just have to go see them to find out.
The New Rope String Band are setting out on a brave venture. It will be a hard to leave Joe behind, but even though they are keeping to the tried and trusted format, these 4 will succeed in building on the Old and create a New act in their own way - a way which is professional, well timed, well executed and lots of fun. I wish them well.
In case this is all new to you, the Old Rope String Band was devastated when Joe Skurfield was killed by a drunk-driver earlier in the year, leaving the remaining members, Pete and Tim to ponder on how best to proceed. We witnessed one of their moving tributes to Joe at the Bridgnorth Folk Festival in the summer, and there they announced that they would be seeking to move on in some form or other. We had, as I mentioned checked with the theatre because there was no mention of tonight's gig on the band's website, hence the expectation of a long DHS set - but enough rambling, what of the performance????
We were still in a bit of a confused state when we sat down, and when we did, the 4 members of the NRSB were just getting going - Pete and Tim have recruited Vera and Jock to bolster the line up, and they were quickly into their stride with their new act. Its pretty much more of the same thing, but with new options, new songs, new moves and perhaps even new jokes. It would be harsh to judge them against the Old Rope String Band - the dynamic is different without Joe Scurfield, so the comparison is hardly fair, although it might be true to say that it needs at least 2 people to take his place, and talking to Pete Challoner later, we learnt of many "dark moments" in rehearsals and of their sense of relief at finally getting their act together and out into the world again.
Their work has certainly been worthwhile. The audience was in pleats, there was slapstick, pathos, a great new angle on the old "lets-play-the-accordion-standing-on-my-head-upside-down-in-a-fishtank-full-of-water" routine, some fantastic knot dances and one standout routine which involved a game of musical catch in which Tim gets to play piggy in the middle while the other 3 hurl an invisible musical note around using their violins like tennis rackets - brilliantly timed and very funny. Its good family entertainment too - no strong language and only one lavatorial moment which is so funny nobody would mind. The music is folk - violin, guitar mandolin from the new Dutch recruit - Vera, accordion and, er, horns - no not that kind, rubber bulbed horns from old cars - you'll just have to go see them to find out.
The New Rope String Band are setting out on a brave venture. It will be a hard to leave Joe behind, but even though they are keeping to the tried and trusted format, these 4 will succeed in building on the Old and create a New act in their own way - a way which is professional, well timed, well executed and lots of fun. I wish them well.
Fiddlestone - Great Sutton Scout Hut - 19/12/2005
I'm not going to say too much about this one because it felt more like a gathering of friends than a concert. Fiddlestone play each year to raise funds for the local Scouts, not least because most of them were Scouts and the band first met at this hut. They played a full set of favourites and Mal sang a couple at the start of the second half, although "Crying in the Rain" was a very late change and wasn't really suited to Mal's voice.This as a shame because Mal adds a certain something to Fidddlestone that they don't have without him. There were a couple of other late changes to the running order that also seemed to temporarily jar an otherwise smooth evening. Fiddlestone on form are really good, a joy to listen to - and thats precisely how most of it was. I want to make particular mention of "Deep in the Darkest Night" where the accordian and melodian are used together to provide a very nice sound, and to Fiddlestone's fine close harmonies which are an integral part of the band's performances.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
John Dowling - Bromborough Folk Club - 14/12/2005
A banjo player extraordinaire! John is a world champion, having taken on the best of America and beat them hands down in a blind competition, he was playing for us in order to "raise a few bob" so he can go back and defend his title in 2006. He deserves the accolade too, his playing sounds so unlike that of any ordinary banjo player, his instrument sings to his touch - he played carols and christmas songs, demonstrated traditional playing techniques and them brought on local legend Russ Williams (slap-bass) and Jimmy? on guitar and they became foot-stompin' good old boys for a few numbers, including the over-played Duelling Banjos, but this one featured the Eastenders Theme... Its hard to see how John could be successful in the pop music sense, but he should go far and wide with his playing, and it has been an absolute pleasure to see him play.
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