Music Reflections: Part 3

Haughey, Audlem Online's music correspondent, continues his reflections on the local music scene – see Parts 1 and 2 on Tuesday and yesterday:

Moments

I often refer to 'Moments' when I write about live music. In essence these are pure emotion as something special evolves during a set, a collaboration, an inspired cover, often something new and creative that will never be replicated anywhere else outside of that set.

I have enjoyed many over the years, The Travelling Band playing purely acoustic at Whelans in Dublin, along with their performance at the Lord C. The Dunwell Brothers when the power died at Audlem mid song just carrying on playing acoustic with superb harmonies, likewise Gideon Conn as he walked through the audience with just his guitar and biting lyrics, where you felt out of your comfort zone and at the same time a part of something special. Reef playing live at Triumph Live – awesome, The Reads at Telfords, (anywhere really – that sound just pulls you in), Taylor & Mason playing in a Yurt on a beach at a wedding in Wales.

David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' was a 'moment, as we say, a version played live as part of the encore to Phil Maddocks' set at the Lord C. Phil Maddocks, a singer songwriter from down Congleton way. The 'moment' came following Phil's masterful version of Marvin Gaye's 'Ain't that peculiar', with Bayes on bass and McKenzie on bass clarinet, Phil moved into the 'Let's dance'. Bayes retired from the stage and Alisdair switched to sax and the magic began. From the clean acoustic guitar to Maddocks' vocal, the scene was set – if the Bowie track was about to be owned at this moment, the sax nailed it.

This is what Live Music is about for me – this line up of musicians was a one-off, the choice of track, voted for by the audience, was far from usual for this style of acoustic set.

"So Who this year?..."

Taylor and the Mason will definitely find the spot, an acoustic duo from the North West, singer-songwriters Sally Mason and Becky Taylor. They have been gigging and pedalling their own brand of folky-acoustic-pop style of music for about two years.

The Lord C Audlem was visited by Taylor and the Mason, harmonies that would do justice to the Puppini Sisters or the Andrews Sisters (for those old enough, and them that appreciate vocal harmonies, you'll know what I mean).

A Friday in the Methodist Church, Pollyanna song firmly fixed in my head and rightly so. You could not ignore the wonderful acting, and clever production that created a memorable performance. Musically, the talented Newmans, Naomi and Toby produced and orchestrated their self-penned tunes and lyrics with a choral performance of note. The Choirs voices really creating a West End style musical right here in Audlem.

A Saturday night saw a trip to the O2 Academy in Manchester to see Leeds band the Kaiser Chiefs. The band hit the music headlines in 2005 with their first album Employment. There was no let up in their performance on this 25 date tour in 29 days.

One mention for Stoke band All the Young watch out for them, energetic, tight and a big sound really set the stage.

Nikki Rouse

Shropshire's Nikki Rouse. I'm not sure whether or not I'm just easily pleased: I walk out of my back door, something like 200 metres to the Lord Combermere where, usually on a Thursday night I can hear live music, and share good company. Well, Nikki Rous, amazing voice, with a distinctive style, entertaining and who trained as a classical singer. With just a guitar, a voice and a presence delivered a mix of self-penned material with some interesting covers before sharing her soul through her own song writing. Clearly a talented individual with a growing fan base, she really delivered a powerful vocal performance at the Lord C.

"I don't know any other way to perform but by giving it my all" George Borowski commented as he finished his opening number. That was evident by the looks and smiles on the faces that surrounded me. That was a powerful indication of the performance that was to follow.

Guitar George

r George, take the opening of what I shall call 'it's a myth'. "Who's come along tonight to see and hear Guitar George" Borowski asked, before it could be answered he sang out 'It's a myth", "it's the truth" Poyzer sang back which created the impromptu pantomime routine, as George and the audience bantered back and forth "It's a myth", "it's the truth" in various turns as George himself mixed the responses.

Still playing the rocky rift that accompanied this George regaled the story of Guitar George. During the late 70s George's band, The Out, played as a resident support slot to a number of the great and good bands emerging at that time.

On one of those evenings Mark Knopfler's Dire Straits took to the stage. It was after this performance that Mark Knopfler approached George and complemented him on his guitar. To which George offered him the old guitar as long as he promised to use it and not have it as a trophy on the wall.

George recalled "Knopfler said, that's a great guitar sound you've got. How come you don't play solos?" "The thing is, I can't really play solos, I just play chords." Borowski replied. So inspired, Knopfler wrote a song called Sultans Of Swing: "You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords: Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing; And an old guitar is all he can afford; When he gets up under the lights to play his thing"

Alex Hulme

Alex Hulme's performance, for those that have yet to witness it, is one of complexity, mixing his use of unusual tunings, inspired by the likes of Nick Drake, Fionn Regan and Foy Vance – with realtime multilayered looping of guitars and vocals (it has to be seen to be believed). Alex creates immediate pop songs with catchy melodies and rich folk guitar.
 
This is one hard working singer – songwriter, compared to the likes of Ed Sheeran and Ben Howard.

Richie Syrett, a talented singer songwriter whose distinctive signature sound of typically melodic ragged style makes a grateful nod to a number of influences, was also a welcome change of pace and style.

Garron Frith, a singer/songwriter who can write lyrics and perform and you just know its a matter of time, with lady luck alongside, before he gets his break.

More reflections tomorrow

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