Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Focus at the Brudenell - 29th June 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My7RAgJrj2M Sophie and I went to see Focus. They did two sets - and amongst other stuff I didn't know they did “Hocus Pocus” (see below for an very early version!), and "Eruption“ from ‘Moving Waves’. "House of the King" from Focus Plays Focus as well as "Sylvia" from 1972 album Focus 3 Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album ‘Moving Waves’ in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Udo Pannekeet, and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, complete the band’s current line-up. Thijs van Leer now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ill06Ekj6QI

Laura Cantrell - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds - 23 June 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9hJ8eI8vWU I met a guy in a west coast town, had four walls to bring him down. And he sometimes speaks of you, the way that you want him to. Late at night he'd reminisce, over the lips he used to kiss. And his hand upon your hip, why don't you send him a line. Cause I'm almost certain, That he's going crazy. For two seconds of your love. Two seconds of your love, Is all I need from you. Two seconds of your time, that's enough to say we're through. Two beats of your heart, enough to know we'll never part. Two seconds of your love, that's all I ever want. I never thought that he'd go that far, lost his job and he stole a car. And he's running back to you, the way you'd want him to. Late at night I reminisce, over the lips I used to kiss. And your hand upon my wrist, why don't you send me a line. Cause I'm almost certain, that I'm going crazy. For two seconds of your love. Two seconds of your love, Is all I need of you. Two seconds of your time, that's enough to say we're through. Two beats of your heart, enough to know we'll never part. Two seconds of your love, it's all I ever want. Two seconds of your love, Is all I need of you. Two seconds of your time, that's enough to say we're through. Two beats of your heart, enough to know we'll never part. Two seconds of your love, it's all I ever want. Sophie and I went to see Laura - not sure of the set list but she covered the following ... Churches Off the Interstate Someday Sparrow Do You Ever Think of Me Queen of the Coast Brand New Eyes I'm Gonna Miss This Town Can't Wait AWM-Bless When the Roses Bloom Again Secret Language Not the Tremblin' Kind The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter Two Seconds REVIEW BY PAUL RHODES Laura Cantrell is one of a rare breed. Seeking a life, rather than a career in music has enabled her to resist the drip-drip to pander to today’s fads, which is perhaps why her body of work is so consistent. Cantrell is also a DJ of note, so it was not a surprise that the setlist on Friday was crafted with the same care that goes into her songs. The 13-tune, 80-minute set showcased her new album, but began and ended with tunes from her debut and had enough forays into her back catalogue to keep everyone happy. It helped that over more than 20 years almost everything she has released is of the highest quality. Despite being an Americana artist, what also startles is how many of her songs feel like bona fide hits – from the 1960s. Her cover of Amy Rigby’s Brand New Eyes recalls Ronnie Spector. Do You Ever Think Of Me (from her proper debut, Not The Tremblin’ Kind) would sit proudly in the country pop canon of Skeeter Davis, while Two Seconds, the closing song on Friday, can devastate just as effectively as her heroine Kitty Wells. Listening to too much Wells can be a bit of a straightening experience, but Cantrell’s set was far more varied. This was her first show at the Brudenell since 2016, and it was clear from the first that she hasn’t spent the last seven years gargling stones and whisky. Her voice was as clear and wonderful as ever. Kicking off her UK tour, Cantrell’s five-piece band were still, laughingly, brushing off a few rough edges, but these enhanced rather than detracted from the show. Adding too much polish would obscure the music’s soul. “Laura Cantrell’s voice was as clear and wonderful as ever,” says reviewer Paul Rhodes Alongside Cantrell (rather than at a deferential sidestep), Mark Spencer and Jimmy Ryan on electric guitar and mandolin shone. They took in the different contours of the Americana map, with country at the centre, but more than a smidgen of rock, rockabilly and folk. Cantrell’s new album, Just Like A Rose, her first since 2013, is among the strongest of her career. It is saying something that the new duet with Steve Earle of her signature song When The Roses Bloom Again (penned by Jeff Tweedy, but made entirely her own by Cantrell) is not the best tune on the record. That honour goes to AWM – Bless. AWM (Angry White Man) is a protest number that takes aim at any number of entitled white-backed alpha males. Written in anger, it retains a dignity that makes such songs endure. When it comes to Laura Cantrell, the Leeds crowd were powerless. They also enjoyed entertaining opener Doug Levitt. This songwriter is leading a colourful, itinerant life, a former foreign correspondent and travel writer too (listen to his Greyhound Stories on BBC Sounds). His first album, Edge Of Everywhere, is an apt title for his journeyman songs. The pick of the bunch, (not coincidentally the shortest by some distance) was I Killed Buddy Gray. The crowd gave Levitt a warm hand, but for Cantrell they really didn’t want her to leave. A great night at the Brudenell, thanks to Joe Coates and Please Please You Productions. Review by Paul Rhodes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifh6UOOZyo&t=31s Laura Cantrell - When The Roses Bloom Again They were strolling in the gloaming Where the roses were in bloom A soldier and his sweetheart brave and true And their hearts were filled with sorrow For their thoughts were of tomorrow As she pinned a rose upon his coat of blue Do not ask me love to linger When you know not what to say For duty calls your sweetheart's name again And your heart need not be sighing If I be among the dying I'll be with you when the roses bloom again When the roses bloom again Beside the river And the mockingbird has sung his sweet refrain In the days of auld lang syne I'll be with you sweetheart mine I'll be with you when the roses bloom again Mid the rattle of the battle Came a whisper soft and low A soldier who had fallen in the fray I am dying, I am dying And I know I'll have to go But I want to tell you Before I pass away There's a far and distant river Where the roses are in bloom A sweetheart who is waiting there for me And it's there I pray you take me I've been faithful, don't forsake me I'll be with her when the roses bloom again Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Jeff Tweedy / Woody Guthrie

Thursday, 22 June 2023

The War On Drugs - The Piece Hall, Halifax

Sophie & I went to watch The War On Drugs at the Piece Hall, Halifax. Parking was an issue. Warpint - the support was already on and the balcony was full. We got a spot right at the end.
Then at about 8;45 The War On Drugs came on and were brilliant. Bloke next to me asked me if I seen them before to which I told him twice. He and his partner had seen them three times - once in Hamburg, which he told me was cheaper than seeing them at the O2 in London and they stayed 2 nights! Set list was Pain Oceans of Darkness An Ocean in Between the Waves I Don't Wanna Wait Victim Strangest Thing Harmonia's Dream Red Eyes In Chains Play It All Night Long (Warren Zevon cover) Living Proof Come to the City Eyes to the Wind Under the Pressure I Don't Live Here Anymore We left after I Don't Live Here Anymore - which was excellent but not as good as the version with Lucius singing backing of course. Apparetnyl they finished with Occasional Rain Strange Boat

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

The Mountain Goats - Waylon Jennings Live!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Kqdu8_w9c&list=RDMM&index=18 Drunk at the Meskwaki casino Right where God intended me to be Looking up at the one man in this room Who's handled more cocaine then me Think back on the good times just an hour or so ago Before I got myself this drunk When the valet parked my rented Mitsubishi With a beat up old brown suitcase in the trunk Full of firearms and flash drives Full of passports And international money orders For just in case I make it cross the border Get a postcard from the gift shop Let my family know I'm doing fine Looking up at a map up on the ceiling To find the place where we all meet up further on down the line Head back to my table Get another scotch and soda for the road The band on stage is really working off a head of steam Close my eyes and lean my head back, dream a little dream Full of firearms and flash drives Full of passports And international money orders For just in case I make it cross the border

Thursday, 4 May 2023

Gena Rose Bruce featuring Bill Callahan - Deep Is The Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXiclx6gtoE I'm in love with you So let me awaken you I'm going to follow you through The darkest day Just like the sun Sadness is real Just like the sun It's going away So don't get lost in a world that favours fast living Cause you've got a mind for drifting and dreaming A beautiful mind that will both terrify and free you (And free you) But for a beautiful mind, deep is the way There is a place for you There is light It's just hard to see Through the heavy fog And I know how quickly Thoughts can turn dark But you can stay In this place of love Don't get lost in a world that favours fast living Cause you've got a mind for drifting and dreaming A beautiful mind that will both terrify and free you (And free you) But for a beautiful mind, deep is the way Don't let them break you You're going to break through Take the mind that time gave you Take my love and my time too A beautiful mind that will both terrify and free you (And free you) But for a beautiful mind, deep is the way, deep is the way Songwriters: Tim Harvey / William Rahr Callahan / Gena Rose Bruce

Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Tom Waits - "Downtown Train"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtZKkCIVmI Outside another yellow moon Has punched a hole in the nighttime mist I climb through the window and down to the street I'm shining like a new dime The downtown trains are full Full of all them Brooklyn girls They try so hard to break out of their little worlds You wave your hand and they scatter like crows They have nothing that'll ever capture your heart They're just thorns without the rose Be careful of them in the dark Oh, if I was the one you chose to be your only one Oh, baby Can't you hear me now? Can't you hear me now? Will I see you tonight on a downtown train? Every night, every night it's just the same On a downtown train I know your window and I know it's late I know your stairs and your doorway I walk down your street and past your gate I stand by the light of the four way And watch them as they fall, oh baby They all having their heart attacks They stay at the carnival But they'll never win you back Will I see you tonight on a downtown train? Every night, every night, it's just the same You leave me lonely Will I see you tonight on a downtown train? All my dreams, all my dreams fall like rain On a downtown train Will I see you tonight on a downtown train? Every night, every night, it's just the same Will I see you tonight on a downtown train? All my dreams, all my dreams, fall like rain On a downtown train On a downtown train All my dreams fall like rain On a downtown train

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

The War On Drugs - "Disappearing"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ7v9YBropc All this way to connect And all the way to the corner everyday You were there for me But will you wait for the one that disappear? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I was home when you came It threw me out of touch It took away from the cold of your arms Now I wait for my turn to let it blow Against me Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Will you wait for the one that disappears? Comments The economy of words and beat reminds me of a tired, weary march, and would not allow me to let this song go. I was left, grasping at straws, seeing as how it tints the song with an expectation of loss, sadness, and tragedy. It stems from the writer - Adam Granducie - beat crippling anxiety and isolation. If you have never suffered from crippling anxiety, count your blessings. I believe this song is in response to a bad bout with anxiety. The person in the song with him came "All this way to connect" When the Adam does good to make it "All the way to the corner everyday" he writes "You were there for me." but then goes on "But will you wait for the one that disappears?" Few understand what the clinically anxious are going through. If you've seen depictions of a dog so abused and scared that it gives up on 'fight or flight' and just freezes with its head in a corner even after the threat is passed. The clinically anxious, like the abused dog, can't reason it's way out of the corners. The fear is crippling because they loose the ability to do some of the most basic and necessary things for living. When he writes "But will you wait for the one that disappears?" He's recognizing that this person will soon give up on him too, eventually coming to the false conclusion that "He could do better if he wanted to." Disappearing (under this scenario) is the appropriate title. The narrator is disappearing in every way possible; mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, even financially. He is not seen and has given up hope of being seen. The lyrics end a quarter way through the song. The beat wearily marches on like the passing of time. Guitars and harmonica wail in lament as the music slowly disappears down the road. Not really ending as much reaching the end of the horizon and fading into oblivion.