Chasing the white rabbit…. Friday, March 27, 2009

Now I have been known to do some strange things at times… voluntarily spending 3 days on a non-smoking train with a chain smoker comes to mind (although if I’d had my way he’d've been out at Broken Hill!). But driving 3 hours to Plymouth and back for a concert…. you’d have to be mad. Right?

Well, it was standing room only in the White Rabbit on Tuesday as Seth Lakeman serenaded us all in an ‘intimate’ gig – warming up, no doubt, for the slightly more salubrious surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall! But nonetheless, it was a chance to see once again a master performer at work…. and also glimpse a rare smile from Ben!

All the old favourites were there, mixed in amongst some new material. And whilst I was a little disappointed that Scrumpy’s set and Blood Red Sky didn’t get an airing, we definitely got value for money.

Kicking off with The Hurlers, it seemed that high energy was the order of the night. And compared with his last gig in Falmouth, it seemed like the ‘audience,’ despite their age, were willing to move along in time with the beat.

As always, it was his fiddle playing that really impressed me. His bow moves with almost hypnotic speed… and whilst I’ll try not to sound too bitter, please take it as read that I am insanely jealous!

[Ed. I am currently at odds with my violin. Being classically trained doesn't mean I want to play Mozart for the rest of my life!]

Kitty Jay, in particular, blew me away.

From the first double-stop to its frenzied finale, I was entranced. And it stands as testament not only to his technical prowess, but also to his fantastic performance.

Whilst violin teachers may look in horror at his crouched stance, it serves to draw in even the most neutral observer. You physically have to lean in. From then the rhythm takes over and so by the time he does stand, there is no escaping the intensity of the solo violin.

He uses his bow almost like a painter uses a brush. But instead of a canvas, he imposes his will on his audience. and we willingly give in to the music.

As much as I love my music collection, it’s always been the ugly sister to the live performance. The very nature of recording tracks in a studio and perfecting them over time takes away some of the spirit of the track. It is only when played live do you experience the raw power of the sound.

And so that’s why I went to Plymouth last night – some artists are simply worth the 120 mile round trip!

Yes, it was a long night, yes I got stitched up on the parking and yes, it was humiliating when the bouncer asked me for ID, but it was totally worth it!