I once had this vague idea about using my MySpace blog (not that vague idea, a different one). And I was posting up the dates of gigs I was going to plus reviews of said gigs. I failed.
Probably because it is evident that no-one is interested (or that LiveJournal garbles the syndicated RSS feed - whatever that means).
Anyway, back on track I have decided to go through the month of May, because there have been so many excellent gigs during the last five weeks.
Our journey begins with Howe Gelb. Somewhere on here, you may find my account of the last such event at the Barbican - Down Home. That was quite possibly my favourite gig ever. So this one had a lot to live up to.
Of course, finding out shortly before that the Handsome Family were on the bill was a bonus, and a factor in assuring this'd be a good one too. The line up had a different emphasis so it was never going to compete directly with Down Home, but it didn't disappoint.
Howe Gelb hosts these events, improvises, fiddles around with the inside of his piano and plays with many of the acts, but his headline "Sno Angel" set with gospel choir was a brilliant climax to the procession of great acts. We got a "Giant Sand" line up too - these days mostly Scandinavians it seems, but do not fear, Joey and John will be along later in one of these reports.
I'd seen Isobel Campbell before and this time found her more engaging. Lonna Kelly and Emiliana Torrini were pleasant enough. And the spanish band Flow were an excellent break from the ladies. But Mary Margaret O'Hara was a revelation. Her's is one of those names that I have heard for many years, but never really known her music. She was a crazy compelling woman shouting "look at me" but without the irksome quality that can entail. A superb bluesey country voice and a damn good performer.
The Handsome Family managed to compress their usual banter and great singing into the three song sets. With Howe Gelb and Brett Sparks vying for title of my favourite male voice in the world I was very pleased.
Howe Gelb's gigs are always among the more interesting and you'd be a fool to miss out on seeing him.
http://www.barbican.org.uk/media/events/5651howeprogfinalsignedoff.pdf