On Saturday evening I paid an all too rare visit to Newcastle City Hall. As I attended many of my first concerts at that venue, it was something of a homecoming for me, as it was indeed for the Newcastle based folk band, The Unthanks.
If the name is unfamiliar to you, then perhaps you have an aversion to folky type music sung in a northern dialect. If so, may I suggest you give a listen to the wonderful new album 'Mount The Air'. Also a flick through various press reports and internet sites will reveal that among The Unthanks legions of followers are, Ryan Adams, Martin Freeman, Elvis Costello, Colin Firth, Robert Wyatt, Nick Hornby, Ade Edmondson and members of Radiohead. A pretty diverse collection I think you will agree.
The support act who opened both parts of the show were a Stockton-on-Tees based trio who call themselves the Young'uns. I first caught them live exactly two years ago when they ably supported Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer. On this occasion they performed all of their songs unaccompanied and totally captivated the audience with their vocal harmonies and their witty in between song chatter.
The Unthank sisters, Rachel and Becky eventually took centre stage and were surrounded by a very capable bunch of backing musicians. Strangely in these times, with the exception of the electric bass, there was not a guitar to be seen. Instead, the band weave their magic with drums, piano, harmonium, a string quartet and a young lady who performed wonders on trumpet and flugelhorn. Focusing mainly on the current album, they ended the first set with the absolutely awesome 10 minute title track. I have always loved the acoustics of the City Hall and it was a perfect setting to replicate the wonderful sound the band achieve on this superb album.
The second set was a little more eclectic featuring songs by Antony Hegerty, Robert Wyatt and ending with a great version of King Crimson's 'Starless' before the band returned to encore with a reprise of the end section of 'Mount The Air'.
If I have one complaint about the performance, it concerned the amount of chatter. While it was always engaging and allowed the natural personality of the girls to come across, it also affected the overall flow of the songs and in my view, interrupted the dramatic effect of their wonderful music. However, that is merely a small personal viewpoint.
Clearly the girls were overawed at this homecoming reception. This was their first performance at the City Hall. I hope it will not be their last.
My second gig of the week involved a trip to a venue that is new to me, the rather intimate Caedmon Hall which is part of the building housing Gateshead Central Library. The purpose of the visit was to witness a performance by one of my particular favourites, Anais Mitchell.
On this occasion she was accompanied by her friend and musical collaborator, Jefferson Hamer to perform music from their recent release, 'Child Ballads'.
I should first mention the support band, a male trio from Teesside in north east England who call themselves The Young'uns. Having seen so many average or downright bad support acts in recent years, it has been my tendency to spend more time in the bar and take my place in the venue in time to catch the main act. The car was my easiest mode of transport to get to the Caedmon Hall, so no bar for me on this occasion. It was a good move as the three guys gave us a wonderful performance of songs mainly concerning the industrial and political past of the towns and cities on the banks of the River Tees. Being fascinated by the heritage of the north east of England, the songs appealed to me anyway but they were delivered in such a way that the whole audience were captivated from the start. Occasionally unaccompanied, but sometimes with guitar and accordion backing, the three voices blended beautifully. Also, their between song chatter often had us in stitches. A worthy warm-up for the main event.
Without fuss, Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer took to the stage.
The problem with performing the Child Ballads is that there are so many versions of these songs, it becomes difficult to make comparisons between them. Consequently, not everyone may appreciate the interpretation of these two American singer songwriters and I am aware that not everyone takes to the distinctive but rather childlike tones of Ms. Mitchell. Personally though, I became accustomed to her voice about a year ago and have since eagerly devoured all of her recorded work and seen her live whenever the situation has allowed. Happily the audience in the Caedmon Hall wholeheartedly agreed with me.
The pair took us through all seven of the ballads included on their recent album and for added measure we were treated to 'Wedding Song' from 'Hadestown' and 'Wilderland/Young Man In America' from last year's album 'Young Man In America'. Anais Mitchell explained that most Child Ballads have a hero called Willie and a heroine who becomes pregnant. That seemed an opportune moment to tell us that she was midway through her own pregnancy so she felt right at home with the songs.
Not having seen Jefferson Hamer before, I was struck by the quality of his voice particularly on a couple of his own songs, and his fantastic guitar playing complemented the music perfectly.
Sadly it was over all too soon, but to end their well deserved encore, the couple paid a homage to their respective parents who introduced them to the music of Jethro Tull. The song they chose to end with was 'Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day'!
It had been commented that the first time Anais Mitchell played in the north east (in Newcastle), there were about a dozen people in attendance. With each visit she is acquiring a new band of followers. Long may that continue.
