Gig Diary October 2012  

JonnytheFirth/Rosie Doonan/The Grand @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Getting to this gig was quite an adventure. Jonny thoughtfully laid on a bus for his many Wakefield fans. Unfortunately nobody told the driver how to get to the Brudenell. Jamie Lockhart kindly took charge. However he managed to direct us up a narrow street to a dead end. He later blamed it on the Sat Nav. To be fair when we talked to other people we heard similar stories so I guess we'll have to let him off. We eventually arrived safely at the club where many of the more weak bladdered amongst us had to dash to make use of the 'facilities'.

First up on stage were Jonny's ex-bandmates the Grand. They played their normal set and it was kind of strange to see them in such a large venue. Chatting to people afterwards we were all in agreement that they've got talent and good tunes but it can seem a bit samey at times.

Rosie Doonan is a much more seasoned performer (although still very youthful he added quickly). Her new heavier direction is still in full flow and tonight's set sounded pretty good to me. One or two longstanding Rosie fans weren't so happy. I also heard rumours of her management's dissatisfaction with the recording of her upcoming album. In my opinion she needs to follow her art and her heart. In my experience if you try to please other people and not yourself you are onto a loser.

Then onto the man of the hour. I reviewed his new album in the last windbag . Said album is what this gig was in aid of. His set was exuberant and with many talented musicians helping out it sounded great. He mixed up his more sparse rockabilly/blues stuff with big band anthems. The only slight sour note was his dismal attempt to smash his guitar up at the end. 

Gin House Band/Spirit of John/Dan Beasley/Troy Faid/Ben Pike/Gary Stewart @ The Gaslight Club @Oporto, Leeds

Tonight the Gaslight Club has been taken over by GinHouse Records.

After an initial couple of songs from Gary Stewart we are into the night proper.

There are two sets. In each set each artist plays a couple of songs on their own before a group session featuring everybody at the end. To top it all they are using a condenser mike rather than plugging in their various instruments.

Ben Pike's stuff is pretty much as you would expect - old style acoustic blues. Not the most scincillating stuff but good quality.

Troy Faid I've not seen before and I was impressed. He plays proper blues and country but his singing style is more nineties lad. His playing is excellent as well.

Dan Beasley I've previously seen fronting the S.S.S.S.S. Country and blues all sung in a faux American accent. My favourite song in his set(s) was the Dylan style epic opener.

Spirit of John weren't at their best. I don't think the condenser mike suited Josh the singer's guitar or vocals. Still they sounded ok.

The Gin House band played mainly ancient standards such as '16 tons' and 'St James Infirmary'. Not to say that it didn't sound good. They also chucked in a good version of the Felice Brothers 'Whiskey in my Whiskey'.  

Laura Stevenson and the Cans/Blonds/Swear and Shake/Town Hall/The Reverend John DeLore/Backwords/Union Street Preservation Society @The Delancey, New York

As a Yorkshireman I'm well aware of the fine skills and timing required to ensure that the round, you buy, is the cheapest possible. Even in a strange country/city/venue my experience shines through. I get my first round in at eight dollars. Imagine Mrs Windbag's (a Scot I might add) chargin at having to pay twelve dollars. Looks like I just managed to catch happy hour.

So tonight is part of the annual CMJ music thing they have in New York. This week thousands of bands are playing in New York and we had no idea when we booked this holiday. This particular event is organised by a NYC magazine called 'the Deli'. I picked up a copy in a Greenwich Village record store and was intrigued enough to come along to the gig.

The first band we catch is part of the free show upstairs. Its the last song by a group called the Union Street Preservation Society. They play oldtime bluesgrass with sweet boy/girl vocals. The varied musicians behind the singers seem talented but not quite in tune with each other at times. The little solos they all play are nice though.

Much against my instincts we then cough up some money and head downstairs to see the other acts. We note that the guy on the door has an unusual hand stamping technique. In Yorkshire its normal to stamp on the back of the hand but he chooses to stamp the inside of the wrist instead. Apparently its something to do with ensuring that people show it on the way back in. It also seems easier to wash off.

Backwoods are already on stage as we grab a seat. Across the 3 songs we hear I think they sound a bit samey. The vocals are also underdeveloped. Except on the last song when the keyboardist takes a turn as lead singer. She is a big improvement.

Next up is the Reverend John Delore. His debt to Gram Parsons is pretty clear with his country stylings. His set improves as the keyboards are turned up and the other muscians stop their rather out of tune attempts at backing harmonies. Overall pleasant but not exciting. A bit of a home goal on the last song as well when a woman is invited up on stage to duet and turns out to be completely out of key.

The bands tonight are all categorised as 'Roots' by the Deli Magazine. Which I take to mean influenced by country and folk music. Town Hall certainly stretch this definition. However they are also a big improvement on the previous acts. The boy/girl shared vocals are strong. The music itself is melodic with stop/start tempos and loud/quiet dynamics. The quality dips in the middle of the set though.

Even better are the next act, Swear and Shake. Yet another boy/girl vocal set up. This group remind me a little of Slow Club. The tunes are catchy and they are the first band tonight that I'll be checking out further.

Apparently Blonds are from Florida originally but are now based in NYC. They sound professional with their indie pop. They don't really grab my attention though.

We actually stand up for Laura Stevenson and the Cans. They play punchy pop songs with gusto. I guess its what Americans might call 'Blue Collar' Rock. Imagine Springsteen without the bombast or the Pretenders. An accordion player adds a slightly different texture (although he is underemployed). Good solid rock and roll to finish off our night.

Hurray for the Riff Raff/Heliotropes/Hans Chew/Jo Schornikow/Mount Moriah @Cake Shop, New York

Apparently an experienced junkie can quickly score drugs in a new town. Similarily it hasn't taken me and Mrs Windbag long to scope out a couple of likely gigs in Manhattan. Admittedly the Internet, local magazines and the concierge at our hotel have all played their part.

The Cake shop is actually a Cake shop in the gritty, grungey but funky Lower East Side. The venue is in the basement of said shop. Rather unusually myself and Mrs Windbag have to show our id to prove we are over twenty one. Somewhat surprisingly a couple turn up later with a toddler in tow. They must have one hell of a good fake id for her!

The venue itself is extremely dark. This seems to be pretty normal for Manhattan. The room is long and narrow but there is a well stocked bar with friendly staff. The stage itself is illuminated with a whole load of fairy lights in the roof which actually looks pretty cool.

The first band we catch are Mount Moriah. From the moment the vocalist sings a couple of lines to check the levels it is clear that these guys are good. They are a pretty standard 4 piece with female vocals. The drummer provides lovely backing harmonies as well. They play soulful Southern rock and come from North Carolina. The songs are punchy and melodic and played with economy. Nothing outstays its welcome.

The next act, Jo Schornikow, employs the same sort of line up. The songs are more spectral and quiet though which leaves the other 3 band members somewhat underemployed. The songs are pretty good if a bit much of a muchness. I also enjoy Jo's semi conversational vocal style. She sounds to be Australian.

Hans Chew is a balding piano player but is much more rocking than Elton John. His band play bluesy heavy rock. They are not bad despite the showiness of the guitarist and drummer. As Mrs Windbag says though I wouldn't buy an album.

The crowd swells noticeably for Heliotropes. They tick several boxes for marketing types because they are a female multi racial 4 piece. I quite like them and they are very tight. But its not my sort of music being a kind of Stooges/Sonic Youth mash up. The lead vocals are put through a hell of a lot of reverb as well which I suspect is employed to disguise their thiness. They finish up with a cover of Nirvana's 'Negative Creep'.

If Hurray for the Riff Raff seem a little dazed and confused then its completely understandable. They have stepped straight off a plane from Germany.

This New Orleans based duo play lovely stark Country Rock. They are accompanied by a friend on fiddle. They guide him through their set just by telling him the key to each song. He appears to be NYC's answer to Kieron O'Malley.

Despite their disorientation there set is gorgeous and much more sparse than the one recorded song I've heard. They finish up with a version of 'Be My Baby'.

Dry The River/Arcane Roots @Fibbers, York

Why do all the tall people have to stand in front of me tonight? Fibbers has been revamped in recent years but with the low ceiling they can only make the stage so high and it hasn't got great sightlines to be honest. Spare a thought for Mrs Windbag and Nat though who are even littler and scarcely saw anything all night.

Arcane Roots are a weird band to be supporting Dry the River. They are quite 'heavy'. Lots of twiddly bits and soloing. Not really my thing but they were good and tight and could play and sing.

Each time I see Dry the River the bassist and singer seem to have longer hair. Despite that the music has remained pretty constant. Though they play loudly they are still quite folky. Although I enjoy it the set is pretty much the same as on the other occasions when I've seen them. I'd be interested to hear some new material.

Lucy Rose/Pete Roe @Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Tonight is a sell out at the Brudenell. Poor old Pete Roe, the support act, as to start his set by telling the people sitting down at the front on the floor to stand up. The reason being that those of us at the back are crammed in and can't see a thing. Despite this he seems to go down quite well with the crowd. Although guys (and girls) with acoustic guitars are ten a penny he is well above average. His guitar playing his great. On the opening number I have to double check there isn't a second person up there playing.

Lucy Rose seems to have crept up to this level without people taking much notice. It has to be said that she isn't a striking presence perched on a chair with her acoustic guitar. Her voice is pleasant rather than distinctive. Where she shines though is on the songs. They are beautifully crafted and catchy. She kind of reminds me of Beth Orton at some points.

Slow Show/Arthur Rigby & the Baskervylles/Joe Banfi/David McCaffrey/Harry Ridgeway @Communion @Oporto, Leeds

We arrive part way through Harry Ridgeway's set. He is a  pleasant but not particularly memorable singer songwriter with acoustic guitar.

I am somewhat gobsmacked when towards the end of the set David McCaffrey drops in the fact that he's eighteen. Firstly its well over a year since I first saw him perform and secondly his ability and songs are so good that he must have started working on them at an extremely young age. Anyway needless to say I think he's one to watch.

Joe Banfi I've also seen before. I'm not really sure what to make of him though. It has to be said his songs don't instantly hit you. However there's a certain darkness and intensity to it all that makes me think he's going to be a grower.

Arthur Rigby on the other hand writes instantly catchy numbers. He has a depleted set of Baskervylles tonight (I'm not convinced the full line up would fit on the Oporto stage anyway). But the songs are as punchy as ever although 'Dark Clouds' doesn't soar as much in this setting.

Finally we have Slow Show. Although they are touted to me as a similar sort of band to the Travelling Band I'm finding it hard to see the similarities. I guess they both come from Manchester. Slow Show though seem a much more polished, and on first listen, blander group. Their only really countryish element is the twangy lead guitar. There is a smoothness to the boy/girl dual lead vocals that reminds me of Deacon Blue. In general there's something eightiesish about them. Possibly  I'm thinking of Danny Wilson (most famous song 'Mary's Prayer'). Anyway as you can tell I'm not blown away. More admirable than involving