Reviews
Artists: O'Hooley & Tidow
Venue: The Peacock Lounge
Town: Huddersfield
Date: 26th February
Website:
http://www.ohooleyandtidow.com/
The Peacock Lounge, Huddersfield seems like the ideal place for the launch of "Silent June", the debut album from (Belinda) O'Hooley & (Heidi) Tidow. This is partly because it's featured on the album cover, partly because it's in their home town, but mainly because it's packed full of atmosphere.
It was a night that had everything, glamour, champagne, the Jo Freya Trio in support, wit, banter, audience participation, actually a little too much audience participation, it nearly spilled over into a fight, but the band played on. It was like the finest traditions of the honky tonk only with a bit more panache, ok then lots more panache. More on that later, it a;; made a five hundred mile plus round trip worth while.
It was the first time I've ever been to a gig where you are met by the hostess and escorted to your seat, whoever had the foresight to stick the journo next to the bar, many thanks. The next surprise was the hostess going back to the door to greet more guests, rather than stinging me for a chat and a hundred quid bottle of champagne. In all seriousness it's not that sort of venue, but it was a little unconventional.
I end up chatting to Chumbawamba's Neil Ferguson who not only produced Heidi and Belinda's album, but was also here to make up a third of the Jo Freya Trio. Another Chumbawamba stalwart, Jude Abbot making up the final third.
If I had to describe the Jo Freya Trio in one word, it would be jazzish. Given a few more words and this is a review, well considered songs that flittered between the personal and the political separated by some grand banter. It was a great warm up, complementary, it even had Belinda and Heidi for one song.
It also highlighted a problem with the venue. Sound travels. At my end of the room you couldn't mistake the sound of an ice bucket being delved into. Towards the middle you could hear the couple next to you talking, not that you should be talking during the set, especially not increasingly loudly and drunkenly.
Let's just say it nearly came to blows later in the evening, but commonsense prevailed before it got really nasty and the couple left. I wouldn't want it to detract from the review, especially as Belinda and Heidi didn't let it detract from their performance, with Belinda thowing some of her well renown banter at the situation between songs to bring the lightness back.
There was a hint of nervousness in O'Hooley & Tidow as the set kicked off. I briefly considered the stress had got to them, but by the middle of the opening song they were really into their stride and Belinda's banter between the songs told you all was right with the world.
"Silent June" has it dark moments, live the songs appear to be a little more stark and that gives the contrasts with the lighter songs, such as "Banjololo" a real sharpness and one that allows them to reset the mood and nailed in a single take on the night.
It hadn't occurred to me until the night that O'Hooley & Tidow really hit the peak of their performance with the songs that refer to family and personal history, they really bring that passion right to the fore. Not that the more distant songs lack the passion, they just don't have quite the same sparkle sprinkled on the top. It's something you notice more live rather than when listening to the album.
Champagne was served to all to toast in the new album, as well as Belinda and Heidi, it was beyond a doubt their night. A night we felt privileged to have shared in. "Silent June" had a launch to be proud of and the audience, metaphorically at least, got to throw streamers and shout BON VOYAGE!!