coming soon - maybe

anyone want to hear about the grateful dead? One of the finest bands that ever roamed the earth although they never had good looking young buck drummers (already in their 20s by the first album and that was ages ago). I could do you reviews of a number of shows they played over the years, you only have to ask.

Van Morrison gets great again

So, one of the wettest summers around and the prospect of Van Morrison playing outdoors. You’d either be a very smug pessimist or an off the register optimist to be viewing that with any enthusiasm. And yet . . .
The man defied all expectations and turned in a stonker of a performance. Now don’t be daft, there was no smiling or audience banter or playing late into the night but clearly there was something going on. Maybe this had something to do with his inspired band which in addition to the usual keyboards, guitar, small brass section also included violin and a selection of slide instruments – dobro, pedal steel and straight electric slide guitar. The connection between all the band and their leader but especially between the pedal steel and violin was something to hear enabling solos from one instrument to continue on with the other fairly seamlessly. Coupled with some interesting oldies – Into the Mystic anyone? – brought the house down. Except it was outdoors and the abbey had already been pulled down several hundred years previously. One particular highlight was the seeming question of “what do you want me to do”? which, before a stunned audience could hit him with requests, turned out to be the instruction to the band for the next song – and very fine it turned out too. As did the weather. Needless to say, for the finale we got a ripping version of Gloria (well there always is one, it’s how you know he’s about to leg it) and then there were fireworks to take our minds off the fact that he wasn’t coming back after that (he never does – so don’t go calling out for Gloria early in a set or you might find yourself short-changed). Fantastic, an addition to the list of Van Morrison shows that you can recall with joy – I have a vague memory his performance at Knebworth back in ‘74 was similarly impressive but we were all younger then

And an honourable mention for Corinne Bailey Rae who did a sterling job of performing whilst everyone stuffed their faces – she deserved better but you can’t interfere with a picnic when the sun’s shining. Those Glastonbury events just keep on getting better. But have you noticed how no-one sits on the ground any more? Time was that you stood up and danced – in a reserved English style or an off your face deranged way (the latter guaranteeing lots of space around you) or you just keeled over on the ground. Ah, the dangerous edge of rock and roll replaced by comfort. Bring on the nurses.

I have nothing against drummers

I have nothing against drummers - why, the Grateful Dead employed two of them (both still alive - it was the keyboard players that had the Spinal Tap death curse) and they are fantastic. In fact Tom's tablas were influential for a good chunk of the Coombe Lodge entertainment value and he was also the hardest working seeing as he featured in two thirds of the acts performing.
Sadly you are wrong about Mark Knopfler and his Direst Straits as he has no soul. The headband was really to disguise the furrowed brow as he worked out what to play as there was no link between heart and hands. (These are admittedly the words of someone who has no idea which strings make what notes but that's not the point.) And that could bring us to Head, Hands and Feet which was the excellent Albert Lee's first(?) band and he certainly has soul rippling around the place.

More Dragonsfly

Here we go, kicking and screaming into the modern age. And appropriately for a scary birth it is performed in a maelstrom of wetness. Regardless, Sunday saw a trip to Coombe Lodge to see Dragonsfly, a local band of fine musicians covering an extreme range of instruments. Using a basis of drums and electric bass (six strings - count 'em) and overlaid with mandolin, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, various sax and other wind things, bagpipes (probably more technical than that) an acoustic guitar and probably a whole lot more besides. The weather stayed fine throughout making it one of the rarer outdoor experiences this summer. Even better was the band's ability to get people dancing. Quite a feat but, really, essential in any type of band that wants to have an interaction with their audience. A stunning session. So good that even the opening act who, in true folk singer style, appeared somewhat depressed, was seen to be dancing with reckless enjoyment for most of their set.
Snap them up fast when they appear near you.

When can I reveal my true distaste for the appropriately named Dire Straits?

From Drangonsfly