Last Night's Fun - Live from the MAC - LNF Records - LNFR006
I have often felt that live recordings are the best kind that artists can make, capturing the fire and the hunger that makes the music come to life, and recording the atmosphere - the crowds' applause and the performers' own reactions.
This is a second live CD from Sherburn, Bartley and Scott's Last Night's Fun, recorded earlier this year at Birmingham Arts Centre MAC and released to coincide with the current UK tour. The sparse sleeve notes point out that the album was recorded straight from the mixing desk and Chris Sherburn was keen that I let you know that apart from removing his introductions, this is a faithful reproduction of what went on that night - "and it hasn't been near a computer either!" This is unusual in this day and age, when you can take a track to bits on a computer and re-assemble it any number of permutations, no overdubs, no retakes, not even a collection of the best bits from a tour, just one gig and just one recording.
That said, how does it stand up as a record of the gig? Well I wasn't there that night, but I have heard Last Night's Fun a few times this year and they are still using a similar set list for their live performances, and this is a fair representation of what an audience would expect to hear, although there are a number of favourites missing, but to include everything would probably require a double CD. Sound wise, this album is a joy - there are only three instruments and one voice when the band is in full flight, and the recording has captured each one of these well, Nick's pipes and Chris' concertina blending well but remaining separate, and Denny's voice strong and clear. If there is anything wrong with this recording, it's that Denny's guitar looses a little of it's lovely bass tones - and this is a mild criticism I would level at most of the Last Night's Fun albums - this is a shame because there is much to loose. The other voice on the CD is that of Chris Sherburn who "conducts" the band verbally, and this unique aspect is well captured, his acerbic introductions and merciless ribbing of Nick Scott are mostly cut, although the keen eared will be able to pick out and recognise a few tidbits that are captured behind the music at the start of some tracks, and there is one left in where all three of them get a turn.
Traditional and contemporary, instrumentals and songs, the mix is very representative of the current live sets, with haunting rendition of "Whiskey in the Jar" being one of my highlights. Mind you, it's hard to pick out highlights, this is a brilliant album, packed full of delights. Each of the players is a master of their instrument: Denny's guitar style is unlike anything else you will hear, his voice is, as I recently described after seeing them in Lymm , "when Denny opens his mouth it feels like a storm blowing in across the room, something else all together, it's a powerful force with a major emotional crack in it that is not at all sentimental, but sounds like its been hard won from a difficult seam." Nick's pipe playing is exemplary - his control over his complex and cantankerous instrument is masterful, and Chris's concertina playing can range from barely audible drone-like backing to breath-taking runs and all stations in between - and the result is, for me, one of the most enthralling live performances currently to be had.
Last Night's Fun make music like good coffee - strong, rich, smooth, soothing when you need it, with a nice bite to energise you, a long lasting flavour - and it addictive in a nice kind of way!
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