The Carolina Chocolate Drops | Gig Review Cecil Sharpe House

Photo credit: Crackerfarm

23^rd January 2012

Since the sad departure of Amy Winehouse, Camden Town has been lacking in award winners. But tonight that’s all changed as Cecil Sharp House strikes a folk-coup, attracting last year’s Grammy winners for Best Traditional Folk Act, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, to its historic stage.

With a refreshed line-up following Justin Robinson’s departure, the ‘Drops’ are now a four strong tour de force. And with a repertoire of American tunes that draws from the 30s – the 1830s – through to modern pop, they have a seriously varied archive from which to select the best musical tricks and turns to captivate an audience.

Rhiannon Giddens, founding member and co-host is perhaps their biggest star. A classically trained singer, she turns her chops to blues, cabaret and modern R&B styles. While the funky chart hit, Hit ‘Em Up Style has long been a crowd favourite, a welcome surprise is a Gaelic language lament backed just by calm strokes of cello and a solitary drum, putting any Transatlantic Session to shame.

Her co-host Dom Flemons has a penchant for minstrel style banjo and quirky ragtime songs and blues. Tracks such as Ben Curry’s Boodle De Bum Bum and Charlie Jackson’s You’re Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine are veritable rarities. And when he flips his guitar, improvises scat vocals, and frenetically clacks his pair of ‘bones’ (wooden blocks played like the spoons), he can be a one-man spectacle to boot.

But Rhainnon and Dom are at their most fabulous when alongside their new band members, Hubby and Layla. Whether they raise a ruckus through sets of old-time dance tunes like Old Cat Died / Brown’s Dream or Was You Ever in Quebec / Candy Girl, or share more contemplative, mellow numbers like Leaving Eden, the title track of their forthcoming CD, the Chocolate Drops put on an outstanding show. Award-winning in fact. They sure don’t hand out those Grammy’s for nothing.

Josh T Pearson | Live at the Union Chapel

If you’ve not yet stumbled upon Josh T Pearson’s new album, Last of the Country Gentlemen, then read this excellent review by Alaistair Mackay in Uncut and see if it sways you.

It won’t be to everyone’s taste.  It is at times uncomfortable listening.  You’re right in there with him, as he whispers and croons poetic but raw, unashamed and often cruel confessions of his unravelling relationship.  As someone at NfMP said after full submersion in the album: I feel like I know him more intimately than I know my closest friend. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always beautiful. After listening to the album on repeat for a week I took to self-medicating with Onda Vaga. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pleasure to lose yourself in there, but nice to be able to bring yourself back.

Three weeks after playing to a sold out Slaughtered Lamb (~150 capacity), Josh was back in London playing to a sold out Union Chapel (~800).  Pianist and composer Dustin O’Halloran opened the show, delivering a note-perfect performance of cinematic arrangements. The ideal support for Pearson; creating a meditative and reflective space for what was to come.  Dustin toured with JTP’s previous band ‘Lift to Experience’ and later in the show Josh credited him as being one of his heroes.

JTP wandered onto the stage, deliberating with the audience: “Jacket on or off?”  Jacket off.  He’d requested little or no light on him during the sound check.  Once the sun had set he asked: “Can you see me? I wasn’t sure about the lights cause it was daytime when we set it up. S’alright? Cause I’m reaaally good looking” (said with a smile).  “It’s true!  I totally forgot to shave this morning”. Some more jokes followed, about how he’d planned to play from the pulpit and rise up from behind it just as Dustin finished his support.  He’s naturally funny and endearing, but you sense his sharpness, he’s no fool.

“The King is Dead” he bellowed and he passed his hand over his face saying, “serious face, serious chords” and with that silence fell, as he launched straight into ‘I Ain’t Your Saviour or Your Christ’, which lasted over twelve minutes and managed to make you feel like it’s just you and him in the chapel in the dark.  It felt almost dangerous.  There was total silence apart from the irritating click from photographers who buzzed around the front of the stage. Not appropriate on this occasion – even though they were doing “the Lord’s work”, as JTP said. Though they did get some good shots. Union Chapel staff said they have never seen an audience so entranced… and silent.

He played most of his set unaccompanied, but for a couple of songs (‘Country Dumb’ and ‘Woman When I’ve Raised Hell’) he was joined by strings (not his idea, but because someone thought it needed to be grander for the Union Chapel) and Dustin on piano. He admits, and it seems, they were slightly unrehearsed.

In between songs he told more jokes: “What do you call a musician that just split up with his girlfriend?  Homeless.”

“Mickey Mouse is on a charge for killing Minnie.  The judge says – ok Mickey, so after all these years of love and devotion, you’re telling me you killed Minnie cause she was crazy?  And Mickey says: I didn’t say she was crazy, I said she was f*cking Goofy!”                   And so on. Throughout the night he continues to pepper his dialogue with “the King is Dead“.

Here’s his second song: ‘Woman When I Raise Hell You’re Going to Know It’:

And third: ‘Sorry with a Song’, that has a distinctly Buckley-esque (Jeff) feel.  Though as another friend put it; he makes ‘Grace’ look like Justin Bieber.

By the end of his encore we were wrecked (but exhilarated)… and understandably, he was too – exhausted from touring these songs.  They’re not easy to listen to and, one imagines, even harder to perform.  He invited the crowd along to the after-show drinks at the Buffalo Bar.  “Password?” he says –  “The King is Dead”.

The password did actually work.

Josh T Pearson returns to London 26th November to play the Barbican.  We suggest you get your tickets now before they sell out.

New films from The Lantern Showcase

We’re in the process of uploading films from the Lantern Society Showcase from last Saturday 5th March.

Though the regular Lantern Society nights can be a bit hit and miss on the talent stakes as they work their way through the 30 or so acts that turn up to play in an evening, their showcases are always guaranteed to be pure talent and a real treat on the ears.

Following their last showcase in January which boasted a spellbinding acoustic headline set from Romeo and Angela from the Magic Numbers, this Saturday was equally rich in sounds with the hugely talented Hank Dogs making a welcome comeback.  The thinly-veiled tensions on stage between Andy and Piano left over from their years together were endearing and intriguing and added an intimacy to their performance as they aimed lyrics at each other with accusatory looks and entwined their always complimentary guitar and vocal styles around each other.  We filmed the majority of their set to share with you, so click through on the link below and check our YouTube site for other tracks from their set.  More will be coming in good time so check back and watch the full show.

There were also quality performances from Simon Stanley Ward,  Greg Harrisburg, Joe Wilkes and our recently featured Pete Greenwood, performing songs from his new album as well as some fantastic covers of Ryan Adams and Townes van Zandt, some of which we also caught on film and will follow shortly.

Headlining was Lantern co-organiser Benjamin Folke Thomas and his full band who put on a suitably energetic and rambunctious performance for a Saturday night.  The Oliver Reed of the London folk scene, Ben and his band punched out some of their classics to a more than willing audience, almost too much for some, as one audience member got sick and had to be assisted from the crowded basement.  We witnessed a similar reaction at a recent BFT band outing as someone developed a nosebleed as the band cranked it up.  Is this a sign of things to come? “Nosebleed country”?

We also caught most of the BFT Band’s show on film and have uploaded highlights for you to check out.

The Lantern Society continues to run as usual, 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month at the Betsey Trotwood. The next Lantern showcase which will be part of the Camden Crawl on the 30th April 2011.  More news here nearer the time or check their site for details.

There’s also a Lantern Radio feature coming up on the 12th April on Bob’s Folk Show featuring club favourites and regulars.  Keep an eye on our featured listing for more info.

Best heckle of the evening: A request for ’10th Avenue Freeze Out’ from sick-boy.  Got the thumbs up from us.  Judgement clearly not totally impaired by booze.

The Lantern Society Showcase

A few images from the first Lantern Society Showcase at The Betsey Trotwood. The night was sold out and packed to the rafters. The bill featured full sets from George Frakes, Josienne Clark, Song Dog, Jack Day, Jason McNiff and Angela and Romeo from The Magic Numbers.

Angela and Romeo played a stunning headline set that had the whole room captivated, personal highlight was a cover of Papa was a Rodeo by The Magnetic Fields.

The next Lantern showcase is at the Betsey on the 5th of March. Tickets are £5 again, get there early to make sure you get in!

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Photos Kate | Film Kathy