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Bob Harris Saturday Show 03/03/07 - a review by Cherskiy

 
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Cherskiy



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 3701
Location: near Amble, Northumberland

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:54 am    Post subject: Bob Harris Saturday Show 03/03/07 - a review by Cherskiy Reply with quote

Personal highlights:

One of the delights of listening to Bob’s show is hearing bands and artists I have either never heard of or never contemplated listening to before. Mostly Autumn fell into the former category, “Fading Colours” from “Heart Full Of Sky” being played by Bob. This six-piece band list their influences as the likes of Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Genesis, Queen and many others. Lead singer Heather Findlay’s soaring vocals are almost eclipsed by Brian Josh’s, the guitar and drum work reminiscent of something you’d expect from rock opera. Normally not my sort of thing, but I certainly appreciated how well it was performed.
Over The Rhine was another unknown band, “I Want You To Be My Love” from their album “Drunkard’s Prayer” being a simple yet effective use of Karin Bergquist’s obvious vocal talent. Over The Rhine have been going for over 15 years and have in the past opened for some of Bob Dylan’s mid-Western shows. Very soothing music, Karin Bergquist sounding almost like Lucinda Williams in places.
I had heard of Death Cab For Cutie before, the simple piano intro to “Brothers On A Hotel Bed” from “Plans” leading gently into Ben Gibbard’s almost understated delivery (Bob called it “ethereal”) and making me wonder why I haven’t acquired this album (which has been out for nearly a year and a half now) or any of their previous releases, including “Transatlanticism” and “We Have The Facts And We’re Voting Yes”.
The second hour opened with Argent’s classic “Hold Your Head Up”, featured here as part of the compilation album “25 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. This single was released 35 years ago.
Dead Rock West was yet another unknown act (so much so that they’re not listed on Amazon), although “Highway One” from their album “Honey and Salt” made me wonder why this is. Can’t quite label this band from San Diego accurately, although an alt-country version of Maroon 5 might be one description.
Ian Brown, formerly lead singer of The Stone Roses, released his third solo album “Music Of The Spheres” back in 2002. Bob played “F.E.A.R.” from this release, a pleasant trip through his post-“Madchester” sound complete with lyrics based on the acronym used as the title of the song.
The Greencards continued the unknown theme, their third album “Viridian” including the track played tonight, “Waiting On The Night”. Almost reminding me of Nickel Creek, this quietly-sounding bluegrass outfit were a joy to listen to. Bluegrass, yes, but not American – the Greencards are two Australians and a Brit. Carol Young provides the simple yet seductive vocals and this album has already joined the elite on my Amazon wish list!
Bob had planned to have Anais Mitchell in playing live, but unfortunately her UK tour has had to be rescheduled – David Celia substituting at the last moment, coming in after supporting The Avett Brothers at the Borderline that evening. I felt this was a good thing, as Anais Mitchell’s singing voice strikes me as being a more child-like Cyndi Lauper. Bob did however play her track “Before The Eyes Of Storytelling Girls” from the album “Hymns For The Exiled”, and whilst her voice isn’t unpleasant, it could jar on me after a few tracks.
So to David Celia, a Toronto-based artist who Bob has featured on his show several times previously. Aided only by acoustic guitar, an instrumental piece began the session, entitled “By Myself”. Influenced by the Beatles, Neil Young, The Band and Pink Floyd, his music is classed as folk with a rock influence, and he chatted to Bob about the Canadian scene and Toronto in particular (“New York without the stress”), including the “North-By-North East” festival. “Infinity” followed, interlaced with Bob Dylan-style harmonica, but much more memorable for its well-thought out lyrics and good harmonies with his support guitarist, Dave Headon (and his left-handed guitar bought in Aberdeenshire). His last live track was “Evidently True”, which he wrote in the car on the way to a gig. Although a last-minute replacement, David Celia wasn’t bad, and no doubt he’s gained a few more fans on the strength of his showing on the Bob Harris Saturday Show. Bob followed up the session with “Best Thing Ever” from “This Isn’t Here”, his latest album. David’s recorded voice isn’t that far removed from his live work and the harmonies work just as well on CD – “Best Thing Ever” wouldn’t be out of place on the normal daytime play list.
The Avett Brothers, who David Celia had just been supporting at the Borderline, ended the middle hour with their rousing song “Distraction 74” from “Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions”. Locking themselves in their house for four days, they came up with 31 songs, 17 of which feature on this, their fourth studio album. Splendid stuff, a little ragged in places but classic Americana roots music. Wish I’d known they were playing in Newcastle last weekend….
Rachel Harrington was another new name (how many is that tonight?) featured on Bob’s show, “Sunshine Girl” from her forthcoming debut album, “The Bootlegger’s Daughter”, which is released in May. She sent Bob a copy of this album, along with a note saying thanks for supporting Americana and Indie music. “Sunshine Girl” was a cracking piece of acoustic Americana roots, my reaction echoing Bob’s “oh, yes” after hearing it for the first time. Reminiscent of The Alison Brown Quartet in the accompaniment stakes but with much stronger vocals, I would bet good money that this album will feature on Bob’s show on many more occasions this year. In a word – delightful.
The rather un-prolific band Golden Smog features in this review almost purely due to the wacky bio listed on their website, although “Can’t Even Tie Your Own Shoes”, the track Bob played from their new album “Blood On The Slacks” deserves a further listen.
Focus was up next with the classic instrumental anthem “Sylvia” from their “Hocus Pocus: The Best Of” compilation, which has been re-released due to the band re-forming recently for a number of concert dates.
I don’t often share Bob’s enthusiasm for his selection of world music, although I did like the track he played from Baka Beyond tonight, namely “Woosi”, from the album “The Meeting Pool”. As someone who used to listen to Andy Kershaw’s show on R1 many years ago, I remember music like this, and this particular track, dating from 1994, sums up everything I enjoyed about similar stuff featured at the time – infectious vocals and great arrangements.
Luca was another unknown band, hailing from Tucson, Arizona. Lead singer Nick Luca sounds almost like a male version of Laura Veirs, going by his delivery and enunciation, “If Love” from his new album “Sick Of Love” was a well-crafted song with understated yet effective backing.
Providing a similar yet nonetheless enjoyable sound was Seattle-based Luke Temple with his song “In The End” from “Hold A Match For A Gasoline World”. Signed to a small independent label, I’d never heard of him before but I can see Bob playing more of his material.
Bob ended the programme with Kiki Dee’s “Lovin’ And Free”, this track demonstrating that there was more to her than just her collaboration with Elton John on their hit single “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”.

Justin Rutledge plays live next weekend – someone else I’m not too familiar with: three albums, and compared to Neal Casal, which isn’t a bad thing.
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AndyAndy2
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Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 548
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chersk, sagree about the Kiki Dee track, Star was another great track. She also sung the song at the end of the film 'Stri Crazy', it was called 'Nothing's gonna stop us now', I'm not sure if this was made for the film or one of Kiki's own songs, anyone know?
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AndyAndy2
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I meant Stir Crazy!!! Doh.
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