Entertainment For Lively Minds
The Unthanks with the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band
Posted by Vince Black on 15 September 2011 - 10:51am.
When:
13/09/11
Where:
Lowry, Salford
Comments:
Great show featuring the Unthanks quintet and the current GB Brass Band Champions. Lots of Unthank material with Brass Band settings, plus a few new pieces including The King of Rome and a suite put together by Adrian McNally, who surprisingly (in that he is credited with most of their string arrangements) revealed that he can't read music. The Brass Band played a number in each half, from which you could understand why they are the GB Champions. The second half included some of my Unthank faves such as Patience Kershaw, and kicked off with Felton Lonnen. My "there's your ticket money right there" moment followed with a fine version of Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk with a terrific Brass accompaniment. As the regular Unthank musos weren't require to play anything they both did a solo vocal. Niopha sang a delightful "My Lagan Love" and Chris Price provided the comedy moment with a spot-on Ratpack stylee big-band reading of the none-more-miserable Queen of Hearts, from their latest album Last
The Audience:
Big! Probably 1500-200. This is way bigger than The Unthanks have filled before in Manchester. I wonder if a sizeable number turned up primarily to see the Brass Band?
Food & Drink:
Abstained. Drinks previously noted to be expensive. Didn't get there in time to order for half-time, can't be arsed to queue up
It Made Me Think...:
they are a very talented outfit. Rachel is a fine singer, but I would happily pay to hear Becky Unthank sing the telephone directory. She has become my favourite contemporary singer
Strangely enough...
I much prefer Rachel's voice! Lovely review, I hope to see them one day.
The Lowry Beer
two third of a pint bottles of beer, £7:80, that's just short of twelve pounds a pint.
Thanks!
I wrote that review yesterday morning when I was what's euphemistically known as working from home. It disappeared out of the Top Ten within about 5 minutes. I can't tell you how depressing that is. It's nice to discover that someone has read it
Very much spot on!
You said it all really rather well. My tuppence worth, I thought Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk was one of those moments you'll tell you grandchildren about. Niopha has a lovely voice, half time coffee was expensive coloured water, hopfully a few brass types will be come Unthankers and a many Unthankers will go along and support the various Brass bands.
Oh and the new bridge to the Salford Broadcasting Company was pleasnt to watch as it changed colours as we crossed over the 'old' bridge on the way back to Hovis mill.
It's the little things!
Very much spot on!
You said it all really rather well. My tuppence worth, I thought Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk was one of those moments you'll tell you grandchildren about. Niopha has a lovely voice, half time coffee was expensive coloured water, hopfully a few brass types will be come Unthankers and a many Unthankers will go along and support the various Brass bands.
Oh and the new bridge to the Salford Broadcasting Company was pleasnt to watch as it changed colours as we crossed over the 'old' bridge on the way back to Hovis mill.
It's the little things!
barbican
show had a similar sense of wonder at some of the melding of Unthank and Brighouse, ditto for the standout Blue Breezin - thought Rachel's singing was absolutely superb [Becky to me is a one off, the lass sings chords man! other worldly at times like the Antony & Johnsons song they played at Union Chapel earlier in the year - i dont know A&J's work so can't tell you what it was, only that it melted everything in its path] --- thought the big bad Queen of Hearts was totally joyous, completely unexpected and chris hammed it up a treat while at the same time doing a fantastic performance. must be extraordinary to sing in front of that band...
A dissenting voice from the ranks
Well, I guess I'm pleased that it clearly worked for everyone else, but I came away surprised at being non-plussed. I had high hopes, not least as I have a lot of time for the adventurous approach of the Unthanks, The potential was there; the B&RBB provided warm and subtle accompaniment. If you're familiar with the folk scene, you're used to impressive musicianship from those with a day job to pay the bills, but they were exceptional and credit to Adrian McNally for acknowledging that from the stage.
But at times, I felt that the B&RBB were so tight that it hindered the sisters when they were trying to play with their phrasing and timing, as they're used to. I missed Niopha's strings on the still-good Felton Lonnen and McNally's suite didn't really have enough ideas to justify its length, which was notable given his comments on prog in the Last sleeve notes.
I think they made more of the moment with the gig at the Cathedral earlier in the year, and I saw them rip the non-existent roof off at Cambridge Folk Festival last year performing Sea Song. So I'm quite prepared to live with an occasional shot off target if it's in the cause of exploration and developing the fine body of work they already have.
And one thing I can agree on. 'Becky Unthank sings the Manchester South Residential Pages.' Can I pre-order now? Oooh, I think I need a sit down.
St George's Bristol
I came on here to write about their performance in Bristol last night. But VInce's review and the other comments have said it all.
The opening King of Rome - a song I had only ever heard performed by Half Man Half Biscuit - was astonishing. I had shivers running down my spine and tears running down my face at the same time. That and Blue Blazin' Blind Drunk were real highlights.
Radio 2 recorded last night's performance for the Listen to the Band programme. Apparently it will go out in two halves in about six weeks' time. Worth looking out for.