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« Reply #2340 on: March 22, 2025, 07:59:22 AM » |
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Soft Machine - Lichfield Guildhall.
I saw 'Soft Machine Legacy' at Coventry Jazz festival some years ago, and the original always been one of my favourite bands, but as a child of the 70s I had no chance to see them back in the day. So when I saw the current lineup was playing up the road I decided to get a ticket. (Of course, there's a Fairport link here as well.)
John Etheridge pointed out that in the 70s the lineup changed due to arguments over music, sex and money. Now it changes due to the members leaving us. The current lineup is a continuation of the band start as Soft Works over 20 years ago, then morphed in SML and then finally became Soft Machine. It seems to the reason for not using the Soft Machine name was due to Hugh Hopper not wanted to use the name due to his friendship with Robert Wyatt, even though there was no reason they could not.
This current lineup definitely carries on the 'concept' of Soft Machine, with mellow soundscapes similar to the early albums morphing into frantic fusion (Guitar led, like the late 70s albums). Setlist features materials from the early years (Joy of Toy, Out-bloody-rageous, Facelift, Kings and Queens, Tales of Taliesyn) and tracks from their excellent later albums including Soft Machine Legacy albums. Some fantastic soloing from all members, plus Theo Travis providing keyboards and soundscapes when not playing sax or flute. An exciting 2 hours that flew by very quickly.
They also played a couple of a tracks from a new album that is coming out soon!
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"Nothing, like something, happens anywhere." - Philip Larkin
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mickf
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« Reply #2341 on: March 23, 2025, 02:45:37 PM » |
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Thea Gilmore, last night, at The Acapela, Pentyrch. She was on good form and gave us a varied selection of songs from way back, as well a a few from her latest covers album (These Quiet Friends).
Her support act was called Dave, but don't ask me to tell you his full name, as he wasn't introduced. Nor did he say,' Hi I'm Dave (insert surname here) ....'
Dave was actually Philippe Nash  https://www.facebook.com/philippenashmusicI'm sure Thea said, 'Wasn't Dave good?' Anyway, you live and learn |
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If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink!
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mickf
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« Reply #2342 on: March 24, 2025, 07:56:57 AM » |
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Ashley Hutchings and Blair Dunlop last night at the Plough, Great Torrington. First night of their tour of the Southwest, and we got a mix of songs and stories. Ashley hardly played his bass - probably only on 3 or 4 songs - but we got songs going back to Lay Down Your Weary Tune up to some from Blair's new album. We heard a bit about how the connection with Bob Dylan was made recently (via Nigel Schofield, apparently). It was a bit chaotic - I'm not sure how much they'd really planned out what they were going to do - and I was a bit concerned when the first half only lasted about 30 minutes, but we did get a full hour or a bit more after the break.
Saw them last night at The Acapela, Pentyrch (near Cardiff). Ashley played bass on 5 songs, one of them being the encore (Leonard Cohen's 'Bird on a Wire'. It was a lovely, intimate concert - maybe a bit too intimate, as the hall was only half full. The Acapela isn't a big venue by any stretch, so it was a real shame that so few people were there. But, I loved it. |
If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink!
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Will S
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« Reply #2343 on: March 24, 2025, 09:27:14 AM » |
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You got an encore?! We got, "That was the last song. The 'shop' is open", and Ashley moved to the table next to him where they had the CDs and LPs on sale. I'd have loved to hear 'Bird On A Wire'.
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All the diamonds in the world
That mean anything to me,
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea
(Bruce Cockburn)
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2344 on: March 27, 2025, 02:16:45 PM » |
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Bill Murray and his Band of Blood Brothers, last night at the Paramount.
What to say. It was fun to see Bill Murray in the flesh, but the concept was mildly confusing. This appeared to be a bar band, perhaps friends of his, with some modest talent and a deep vein of cover songs at their disposal. The performance was pleasant enough until Bill stepped up to the mic to sing "Tired of Waiting for You" by the Kinks. Not good.
I haven't skipped out early on a show in a long time, but I felt like I had seen all I needed to see after five songs. We were out of there more than an hour before the scheduled end time.
In retrospect, I should have gone next door to see Glen Tilbrook instead.
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2345 on: March 29, 2025, 04:09:39 PM » |
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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Rodney Crowell, last Thursday at ACL Live!
Rodney Crowell was a revelation. He played with an Australian guitarist and an English fiddler, both of whom relocated to Nashville, Tennessee (where the best musicians live, reportedly). His songs are gorgeous. I will seek out a headlining appearance in the future.
The NGDB were likewise wonderful. There are two original members (lead singer/guitarist/emcee and drummer/harmonica player, both joined 1966), a longtime keyboardist (joined 1979), and two recent additions who replaced original members circa 2018. We left this great show about halfway through, however, because of constant conversation around us. As the evening wore on and people consumed more alcohol, the voices and laughter got louder. Pretty soon our neighbors just forgot they were at a concert. Who was it that said "hell is other people?"
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Peter Allen
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« Reply #2346 on: March 31, 2025, 09:45:25 AM » |
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Saw EXTC at the Wrecking Ball Arts Centre in Hull last night , they played "Burning With Optimism's Flames" for the very first time (as EXTC) a standout track from Black Sea
It's a crowd pleasing setlist for sure , mostly the A sides , but a bit like the Kinks , there's plenty of good stuff to be found on the LP's and the B sides , if you care to delve deeper
Credit to them for finishing with "Stupidly Happy" which is not a well known XTC song but allows them to stretch out and play a bit
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Adam
I'm looking at you, Cool Cat!
Folkcorp Guru
 Offline
Posts: 658
I'm a llama!
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« Reply #2347 on: April 05, 2025, 08:16:00 PM » |
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Colin Meloy at the Union Chapel, Islington, last Tuesday. What a fantastic night with a rare UK visit from the driving force behind the Decemberists. Just him and his acoustic guitar, and he treated us to songs from throughout his career to date. We Both Go Down Together and A Beginning Song stood out, but the absolute highlight was a cover of Vincent Black Lightening; magical stuff!
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mickf
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« Reply #2348 on: April 09, 2025, 04:05:32 PM » |
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I was in Birmingham last weekend for two reasons. To see Villa v Forest and to see John Lodge of the Moody Blues at Brum Town Hall. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see John, as he was taken ill and had to cancel the Birmingham gig and the next one in Manchester. No details were given, regarding the actual problem, but he had a stroke last year and he's 81.
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If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink!
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mickf
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« Reply #2349 on: April 09, 2025, 05:02:19 PM » |
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Talking of cancelled gigs, I was due to see Welsh folk band, Calan, on 19th April, but I've had a message from the venue that the concert has been cancelled. I've checked the venue website and the Calan website, but there's no explanation. The venue have promised a refund, and doesn't look like it will be reschedulled.
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If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink!
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Andy
Brain half the size of a planet
Global Moderator
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Posts: 8675
Loc: South West Wales
Not perfect. Never claimed to be.
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« Reply #2350 on: April 09, 2025, 05:04:04 PM » |
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Talking of cancelled gigs, I was due to see Welsh folk band, Calan, on 19th April, but I've had a message from the venue that the concert has been cancelled. I've checked the venue website and the Calan website, but there's no explanation. The venue have promised a refund, and doesn't look like it will be reschedulled.
They're yet another band on a farewell tour. I think this was meant to be their last ever gig. Perhaps their farewell has taken place slightly early? |
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« Last Edit: April 09, 2025, 11:16:27 PM by Andy »
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Will S
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« Reply #2351 on: April 09, 2025, 05:27:29 PM » |
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I saw something on Facebook a couple of days ago, I think. 'Family reasons' were quoted, as I recall.
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All the diamonds in the world
That mean anything to me,
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea
(Bruce Cockburn)
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PJayBe
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« Reply #2352 on: April 09, 2025, 11:08:38 PM » |
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I was in Birmingham last weekend for two reasons. To see Villa v Forest and to see John Lodge of the Moody Blues at Brum Town Hall. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see John, as he was taken ill and had to cancel the Birmingham gig and the next one in Manchester. No details were given, regarding the actual problem, but he had a stroke last year and he's 81.
We were in the foyer in New Brighton last year to see Justin Hayward when a call over the tannoy told us to go home because he was ill. Show was rearranged for later in the year, coincided with Justin's birthday and was fab. |
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2353 on: April 09, 2025, 11:29:53 PM » |
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Paul Simon last night, Austin!
Paul is touring his song cycle "Seven Psalms" for some 22 dates this month and next, a few years after announcing his retirement from live performance. He reassembled much of his band from his "farewell" tour, it appears to me, including the extraordinary Steve Gadd on drums and Mark Stewart on guitars and miscellany. Edie Brickell, a vision in a white pantsuit, joined for two Psalms and returned to sub for Linda Rondstadt on "Under African Skies."
Paul's voice is not the instrument it once was, but he still projects some power and surprising range. The band played very quietly for the most part, although the saxophone solo on "Still Crazy After All These Years" raised the roof of the Bass Concert Hall. Simon and Garfunkel's catalog got fairly short shrift, but "The Boxer" and "The Sound of Silence" featured at the climax of the first set and the encore, respectively. This was well worth the money, well worth the time, and thank you Universe for giving us Paul Simon.
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mickf
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« Reply #2354 on: April 10, 2025, 10:41:47 AM » |
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Feast of Fiddles in Cardiff last night. A really enjoyable concert - but once again (following Ashley Hutchings the other week) a disappointingly low crowd.
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If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink!
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David W
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« Reply #2355 on: April 10, 2025, 11:01:43 AM » |
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Not exactly a "gig" but not sure of there is a topic anywhere for theatre shows:
Merchant of Venice 1936 - Tracey Anne Oberman's setting of Merchant of Venice against the 1936 cable Street Riots and rise and fall of Moseley's blackshirts. A very classy and thought provoking production which leaves more questions than it answers - I guess that is why it is regarded as a problem play!! TAO is great as Shylock, the double whammy of being female and Jewish is really strong and she is a strong stage presence.
Worth a visit if on tour near you and with some judicious pruning of the original text - at least a pound of flesh is removed - runs at 2 hrs including interval.
Cheers,
DW
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steve-n
Ironic Hooverer
Sr. Member
Offline
Posts: 456
Loc: Leafy Warwickshire
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« Reply #2356 on: April 10, 2025, 04:06:50 PM » |
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Feast of Fiddles in Cardiff last night. A really enjoyable concert - but once again (following Ashley Hutchings the other week) a disappointingly low crowd.
Fingers crossed for a full house at Worcester tonight...... |
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steve-n
Ironic Hooverer
Sr. Member
Offline
Posts: 456
Loc: Leafy Warwickshire
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« Reply #2357 on: April 11, 2025, 12:24:49 AM » |
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Feast of Fiddles in Cardiff last night. A really enjoyable concert - but once again (following Ashley Hutchings the other week) a disappointingly low crowd.
Fingers crossed for a full house at Worcester tonight...... Not quite full, but pretty damned close. Great evening's entertainment. The band had to work really hard though as the audience was not the most responsive....unusual for this venue. Shouldn't really single anyone out, but Simon Swarbrick is a genius, and DM is DM (and having a thoroughly good time). |
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ColinB
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« Reply #2358 on: April 17, 2025, 10:30:59 AM » |
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The Young 'Uns last night at Settle on the second date of their 20th anniversary tour. Quite a varied set with reminiscences and songs from their early days in the first half with some sea shanties thrown in. The second half included three songs from their Strangers album but I don't think there was anything from the latest Tiny Notes release. Plenty of joking and messing around from David as usual and if you're going to see them be prepared for a singalong to The Wheels on the Bus in the encore. They're in Glasgow tonight and then Liverpool, Lytham and Stroud over the weekend. Full tour details on their website at https://www.theyounguns.co.uk/live |
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ColinB
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« Reply #2359 on: April 21, 2025, 10:16:55 AM » |
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Another FolkScape online gig last night, namely the Gigspanner Big Band who were at The Met in Bury.
A friend who had seen them the night before in Kendal came round and enjoyed the online gig much more as the sound had been awful at the Brewery Arts Centre. He said the percussion was way too high in the mix and he (and others) could hardly make out what Hannah was singing.
Shame, as they sounded very good from Bury last night. Peter is still a stunning fiddle player and his duetting with Hannah was just lovely. Only minor quibble was that John Spiers was a bit lost in the mix in the first half but I'll certainly be playing a track or two from their new album on my next radio show.
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