Seth Lakeman at The Assembly – Leamington
Spa 24/03: A Review
What an awesome way to top off what had been more
like a summer’s day than early spring. The venue for this gig was an old
ballroom complete with intricately designed motifs on the surrounding walls and
a large space in the centre of the ceiling where a huge glittering disco ball
would have hung. Cue a cavalcade of colourfully vivid time travel flashbacks to
the 70’s featuring images of funky divas in full swing demonstrating their
dazzlingly daring disco skills. Unlike some excuses for musical performance
however, Seth’s entrance was not about to be marked by him being lowered down
on a gigantic disco ball.
Music from the Mountains
I usually make an effort to research support
acts and check out what kind of music they have to offer but being as busy as I
have lately the first thing I learned about folk harmony duo Winter Mountain, was the name of their act when I caught a glimpse at a
promo poster earlier that afternoon. Although this was a short set
(being a support act) their phenomenal performance is worthy of a full review
because the pleasant surprise their delicate
acoustic sound offered completely blew me away. It was so sublime I opened my
eyes to find my feet were no longer on the ground.
I will admit when I saw the beards I thought the
pair were from Seattle Ireland
and Joe from St Austell in Cornwall their sound certainly
demonstrates the Seattle
Memphis
The duo met
while backpacking their way across the US Chicago heading
down to Memphis
Their sound is perhaps experimental but nowhere
does it lack even a little in quality as a result of this. If anything it
provides an impetus for real heartfelt performance and such incredibly tranquil
sounding melodies I wasn’t surprised when the rest of the audience joined me
for a float fest in the air as the pair sang out a song called Sarah.
It wasn’t all the same style throughout either as they mixed it up a bit with
each tune. Sometimes singing almost an entire song together in flawless
harmony, others where each had their own parts but came in interlacing the
other like their vocals were emulating the perfection of a proper love-struck
relationship. As testament to their talent they have recently signed a record
deal with Cara Dillon’s Charcoal Records so I look forward to what comes from
this magical pairing.
Leamington Laps Up Lakeman
I first heard about Seth Lakeman through fellow Levellers fans but having foolishly missed his set
at the Beautiful Days festival in 2010 (I have since learned one must obtain a
programme as soon as one arrives at these events) I felt it was imperative I get
to one of his gigs as soon as possible. Thus as soon as tickets were released
for his early 2011 dates I made sure I snapped one up immediately as part of my
mission to get to at least one live gig every month. I desperately wanted but
was unable to get to a date on his second 2011 tour promoting the limited
release of his latest album last December but lucky for me he soon announced a
string of dates for this year.
With success that has been building gradually since
he went solo in 2002 it is easy to see why Seth has become somewhat the poster
boy for contemporary folk music. The former Mercury award nominee (2005) helps
introduce the diversity this genre can, at times, offer to music fans. While
traditional folk elements are never far from evident in his music, he manages
to marry these with sounds somewhat more palatable for a mainstream audience. The
crowd at this particular show demonstrated his appeal to this wider range of
music fan covering many different sub-genres in addition to those who belong to
his almost cult-like loyal following.
The versatility he demonstrates together with an ability
to captivate and hold on to this widening fan base only serves to promote folk
music to people who would otherwise have run a mile in the opposite direction if
they so much as heard even the slightest dinkle dankle of a banjo. Whenever I
mention a folk artist to most people their facial expression moulds into
something that quite clearly asks why haven’t I been institutionalised yet? If artists like Seth can help persuade others
that we who appreciate a little bit of folk amongst our tunes are quite safe to
be out amongst the public, then this is no bad thing.
I’ve
read some articles reporting how when he first started out some from various
corners of the traditional folk scene often derided Seth attempting to downplay
his music and style which I can only imagine was down to jealousy. Perhaps he
does sometimes break off into less folk heavy and towards a more alternative
sound but as an evolving artist this only showcases his many talents.
Tales from the Barrel House to the Ballroom
This was the final date on the second leg promoting
sixth album, Tales From The Barrel House,
whose initial limited edition release sold out almost as fast as Seth can
fiddle to Kitty Jay (i.e. very). A general release has since been
recorded with a couple of extra tracks and a DVD. It really does show this is
his first independent album following the departure from his previous record
label because it sounds so individual and fresh compared to the previous two
(as much as I enjoy them in their own right). Solidifying his folk roots he
recorded first track More Than Money down a copper mine
and the rest of the album in the cooperage (The Barrel House of its title)
playing every instrument featured, producing and mixing it all to boot.
From the lament of Blacksmith’s Prayer to
the seafaring story of Salt From Our Veins and the timeless
tale of The Watchmaker’s Rhyme, the subject matter he focussed on also
relies heavily on these traditional folk roots covering mostly the forgotten
trades of yesteryear. Closing with the gentler Apple of His Eye and the
beautifully perceptive The Artisan Seth most clearly
demonstrates his exceptional skills as a songwriter.
He is the Music Man
Beginning the set with More Than Money for which
he played the banjo, Seth quickly picked up the mandolin while the band played
straight into Blacksmith’s Prayer. He went on to exhibit his expert and
flawless musicianship by following up with songs where he played his trademark
fiddle, tenor guitar and even playing the violin pizzicato (plucking it like a
guitar for those unsure). Added to his distinct emotional vocals and the
support from the band, a truly electric atmosphere was the result.
Getting Jiggy With It
Seth’s music carries with it the same infectious
quality epitomised by folk punk legends The Levellers. It encourages, slowly
at first (think snake charmer), one’s legs to spontaneously start jigging about
like they’ve been directly fed an electric current (think slightly tamer
version of River Dance). Before I knew it while he began pouring out words via
his pulsating heart to accompany his gradual build up to fiddling for England,
a third or more of the crowd, myself included, were all jumping about like
loons. Happy loons appreciating great live music though and hey no one was
looking at us oddly here so it was all okay. No doctors in white coats watching
from the bar, thankfully.
You could really feel the raw beauty of the
elements within the hall. I’d even go as far as to say we were somehow
transported to the ghostly Morwellham mining port on the bank of the River
Tamar where stands the Barrel House the album was recorded at (there’s magic in
folk, right?), such was the atmosphere they created as a collective up on
stage.
Fiddler Freedom
A newfound freedom was
clearly audible with the return to older material seeing the jigging loons double
in size now making us a sizeable majority as The Colliers, Setting
of the Sun and John Lomas were played out in all
their magnificent glory. The very haunting sounds of Preacher’s
Ghost also featured as did a
sensational rendition of Lady of the Sea which I’m sure was
sped up so fast by invisible futuristic machines to get moving those few
stragglers who hadn’t yet started looning (yes I made up that word).
The band
took a break leaving Seth and his bass player to perform The Artisan, the bass
requiring more of a melody than the typical bass chords. This song tells the
story of a woodworker who, as he plies his carpentry trade, relives his life
with each chip of the chisel and every stroke of the saw. I once passed out
after chiselling a finger during a woodwork class at school (true story). The
way this song really gets up close and personal I fully believe Seth could do
as much justice to my chiselled finger turning it into a beautiful yet sad tale
like he does here with The Artisan.
Fiddle Off Championship 2012
There was
also the highly popular fan pleaser Kitty Jay, a song that builds up to
such intensity before erupting in a near orgasmic explosion. With nothing more
than his vocals, fiddle and a stomping right foot it is compelling and
blockbusting rolled into one. You cannot help but remain transfixed as Seth
fiddles like the continued existence of the universe depends on it.
The hard work and effort it takes to be this faultless while playing at such speed shows but through expressions demonstrating how much he thoroughly enjoys what this classic song has evolved into. I’m pretty sure with each tour and indeed each night’s performance he cranks it up a notch further in an attempt to out-fiddle himself. With this being the final night of the current run he didn’t disappoint although I am surprised he didn’t pass out immediately after or that there wasn’t a mass of smoke billowing from the fiddle or his hands. It gives me goose bumps just recalling it.
Life on the Road
Seth
belongs to that subset of artists who seem to tour constantly and I’d have to
agree with some who’d say his live performances far outstrip what the studio
albums are able to offer given their limitations. They do have their own
important place but with him touring so often as well as being a mainstay on
the annual summer festival circuit fans can have the best of both worlds. This
gig was my second Seth experience in less than twelve months and it most certainly
won’t be the last with an October tour already announced. I do have
just one question I’d like to ask. Where’s the full live album, please Seth?
Music of the Moment:
There's actually far too much for me to be able to squeeze it all in here like I did before. I used to listen to a lot of music as it was just going about more or less anything. This has increased loads since I've started putting together the podcast as I check out new music, new material from old bands and artists and lots else besides.I know they're a band who have featured a lot previously as well as both opening and closing my first podcast but they truly deserve to be mentioned as often as possible. One Cure For Man have just released another new EP entitled The Lost contains three beautiful acoustic tracks and also features the sounds of a violin. It is a real treat.
Gathered is the latest album from Nick Burbridge of the McDermott's 2 Hours versus The Levellers fame, this time teamed up with Tim Cotterell.T J Courtney has debut EP Into the Sky out now which sounds fantastic.
Finally for the moment, The Dreaming Spires are soon to release a new album (June) and have kindly sent me the radio edit for their new single Not Every Song From The Sixties Is A Classic.
Books:
I finished reading Joe Vampire by Steven Luna and it was superb all the way to the end leaving me wanting so much more from this newly turned vampire dude. It's just so fresh for a vampire tale considering it is a genre that has been (pardon the pun) done to death.
My next read is going to be Leiyatel's Embrace by Clive S. Johnson who also has sequel Of Weft and Weave due out very soon. I'm really looking forward to this first one.Follow @roberto_baggins Tweet Tweet to @roberto_baggins
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