DRIFT RECORDS NIGHT 2 - MARLBOROUGH THEATRE, BRIGHTON - 4/6/06
The place to be in Brighton tonight is undoubtedly the tiny, back street Marlborough Theatre ? where those in the know have gathered for the second record label showcase gig from the brilliant folk at Drift Records. Expect another night of blissful acoustic music at its finest. Hopes are high, so lets see what?s on offer?
Firstly we?re warned by the nights compere not to dance on the venues plush carpet ? for fear of whipping up a nasty static carpet storm. Thanks for the warning. With that bit of advice out the way it?s down to business. First up is Miles Poppycock ? who can usually be found fronting local seafaring power pop types The Poppycocks. Tonight though he entertains us with his clever, witty, observational songs that are inspired by the events of everyday life ? bringing to mind Ray Davies or Belle & Sebastian in their quieter moments. Impressive stuff, but a set ending sing-a-long rendition of the Velvet Underground?s ?Femme Fatal? finishes things off perfectly.
Thirty Pounds of Bone is the brainchild of Drift co-founder Johny Lamb ? and a brilliantly lo-fi folk roots noise they make too. Usually joined live by a full band, playing an array of instruments ? tonight is just Johny and his guitar. His songs are in classic folk music mould, whilst still sounding fresh and modern, as on the brilliant ?Crackshandy in the Harbour? and ?Homesick Children Of Migrant Mothers? - which combine the dreaminess of Sparklehorse with the sentimentality of the slower Pogues numbers. On occasions the lyrics even recall the second-generation Irish themes of which Shane MacGowan is known - infact you could easily imagine Thirty Pounds of Bone doing magical covers of the likes of Pogues classics ?The Old Main Drag? or ?Lullaby of London?. In a word ? excellent.
Next it?s the turn of the other half of the Drift team ? RG Morrison, complete with his dark yet joyously uplifting songs of love, redemption, home and heartbreak. Morrisons finger picked guitar is lavishly accompanied by a second guitarist who helps elevate songs such as ?Honest Man? and ?Funeral For a Foe? into something extra special. Atmospheric stuff alright, which leaves you totally engrossed in the songs from start to finish. Quite some talent.
Finally its time for Matt Eaton ? he of hotly tipped Brighton hero?s Actress Hands. A long awaited solo acoustic record is forthcoming on Drift, whilst his solo shows are always wonderfully unpredictable occasions, that never fail to entertain. Being described as sounding like "Teenage Fanclub and the Reindeer Section having a quiet night in with a guitar" really isn?t all that far off the mark at all. His own song ?How Many Shoes? is a gorgeous, short number, while an Actress Hands songs apparently about adders, is a catchy, melody filled wonder. As always there?s a couple of random covers thrown in ? firstly a great version of Johnny Rivers ?Poor Side of Town?, then ending with a surprisingly good take of the traditional Irish tune ?Johnny McEldoo?, for which Matt is joined by Johnny Lamb on banjo. Top marks for remembering all the words too.
Now before ending let me give you a free piece of advice. If you haven?t already done so then your urged to invest your pennies wisely in the RG Morrison record ?Learning About Loathing?, or simply get your hands on the Drift sampler cd and hear these (and other) wonderful artists for yourselves. So, another spellbinding and inspiring night of acoustic / folk music at its best. But then again did we really expect anything less from the people at Drift? Spot on.
Ian Chambers, June ?06
The place to be in Brighton tonight is undoubtedly the tiny, back street Marlborough Theatre ? where those in the know have gathered for the second record label showcase gig from the brilliant folk at Drift Records. Expect another night of blissful acoustic music at its finest. Hopes are high, so lets see what?s on offer?
Firstly we?re warned by the nights compere not to dance on the venues plush carpet ? for fear of whipping up a nasty static carpet storm. Thanks for the warning. With that bit of advice out the way it?s down to business. First up is Miles Poppycock ? who can usually be found fronting local seafaring power pop types The Poppycocks. Tonight though he entertains us with his clever, witty, observational songs that are inspired by the events of everyday life ? bringing to mind Ray Davies or Belle & Sebastian in their quieter moments. Impressive stuff, but a set ending sing-a-long rendition of the Velvet Underground?s ?Femme Fatal? finishes things off perfectly.
Thirty Pounds of Bone is the brainchild of Drift co-founder Johny Lamb ? and a brilliantly lo-fi folk roots noise they make too. Usually joined live by a full band, playing an array of instruments ? tonight is just Johny and his guitar. His songs are in classic folk music mould, whilst still sounding fresh and modern, as on the brilliant ?Crackshandy in the Harbour? and ?Homesick Children Of Migrant Mothers? - which combine the dreaminess of Sparklehorse with the sentimentality of the slower Pogues numbers. On occasions the lyrics even recall the second-generation Irish themes of which Shane MacGowan is known - infact you could easily imagine Thirty Pounds of Bone doing magical covers of the likes of Pogues classics ?The Old Main Drag? or ?Lullaby of London?. In a word ? excellent.
Next it?s the turn of the other half of the Drift team ? RG Morrison, complete with his dark yet joyously uplifting songs of love, redemption, home and heartbreak. Morrisons finger picked guitar is lavishly accompanied by a second guitarist who helps elevate songs such as ?Honest Man? and ?Funeral For a Foe? into something extra special. Atmospheric stuff alright, which leaves you totally engrossed in the songs from start to finish. Quite some talent.
Finally its time for Matt Eaton ? he of hotly tipped Brighton hero?s Actress Hands. A long awaited solo acoustic record is forthcoming on Drift, whilst his solo shows are always wonderfully unpredictable occasions, that never fail to entertain. Being described as sounding like "Teenage Fanclub and the Reindeer Section having a quiet night in with a guitar" really isn?t all that far off the mark at all. His own song ?How Many Shoes? is a gorgeous, short number, while an Actress Hands songs apparently about adders, is a catchy, melody filled wonder. As always there?s a couple of random covers thrown in ? firstly a great version of Johnny Rivers ?Poor Side of Town?, then ending with a surprisingly good take of the traditional Irish tune ?Johnny McEldoo?, for which Matt is joined by Johnny Lamb on banjo. Top marks for remembering all the words too.
Now before ending let me give you a free piece of advice. If you haven?t already done so then your urged to invest your pennies wisely in the RG Morrison record ?Learning About Loathing?, or simply get your hands on the Drift sampler cd and hear these (and other) wonderful artists for yourselves. So, another spellbinding and inspiring night of acoustic / folk music at its best. But then again did we really expect anything less from the people at Drift? Spot on.
Ian Chambers, June ?06
posted by ianc21 at 6:45 pm
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