Reviews
Artist:Bob Burke
Venue:Bournemouth Folk Club
Town:Bournemouth
Date:24/02/08
www.myspace.com/bobburkemusic
There seems to be a trend at Bournemouth Folk Club for the headliner to switch a gig from being a band event into a bit of a session. I first noticed it when Lou Brown last played and it was repeated again for the Bobby Burke launch of his new album, "Shadow Of Mercury".
During the course of his set, Bobby started with four extra musicians, dropped down to three, went solo, became a duo, then a trio, then back to the four piece and ended the evening with the original five musicians on stage.
The set started in full band mode, featuring the majority of the musicians that contributed to the album, the harmonica player was missing, but that aside it was a great turn out, both on and off stage. To be honest I don't recall seeing the venue quite as full as it was on the night before, a good testament to one of the club regulars.
The band it's self consisting of backing vocalist, Aimee Newsome-Stone, Ezio's Bass player, whose name I missed, drummer Gav Jones from Tinderbox and Steve on the guitar. To add to the nerves of the occasion, Bobby was having to use a borrowed guitar as his own was experiencing technical difficulties
The launch of a new album is an important point in any artists career, one of the pivotal points. Bobby was a little hesitant at the start of the set, feeling the need to explain the song, rather than let the song do the talking. It was something you realised he became aware of as the set progressed and cured it.
The nervousness didn't transfer it's self through to his playing, but his facial expression pointedly grew towards his trademark smile as he got deeper into the set.
The session like feel allowed the songs to be played with a bit. "Time Will Come" brought a rockier, more driving edge to the sound. It was a great contrast to the next song "Chasing Rainbows" that saw Bobby on stage on his own.
A brief problem with the tuning nut was off set by Aimee joining him on stage as they performed the title track from the album "Shadow Of Mercury". It was also the last of the pre-song explanations, but not the last time he mentioned the tour of Russia, where he wrote many of the songs.
"Shadow Of Mercury" works very well live, two voices and a guitar gave the song a simplicity and a resonance that command and got the respect of the audience. Whilst the band sound is good, there are more things to listen to and for, the duo approach gave the song a chance to speak for it's self.
Lou Brown joined Bobby and Aimee on stage to become the unit that is due to set off for a tour of the States during March. If the tour is of the quality of this short song, the U S of A is due for a real treat.
Lou drops back into the audience and the band rejoin Bobby on stage. Steve plugs in a full blown electric guitar for the final numbers, which gain a country rock tinge to them as they cut loose into the final part of the set.
The closing number "Not Standing Still" is almost a country thrash by the time it's finished." There's a huge amount of applause, which leads to the obligatory encore, the carefully chosen "Start Afresh" getting that honour.
All in all a well attended album launch for which Bobby can be justifiably proud. A knowledgeable audience heard and were entertained by a fine collection of songs. They also discovered more about Bobby's tour of Russia than expected
On the night Bobby was supported by Bob Whitely and Frank, Tinderbox, The Douglas Firs and Fearne. As Bob Whitely has a headlining slot coming up and I've included Tinderbox and The Douglas Firs recently, I'll concentrate on Fearne.
By their own admission, this was Fearne's folk club debut. Until now the band have mainly been focusing on bars and student friendly venues and of that ilk.
Normally a trio, Fearne, Alex Bedrijczuk, guitar, vocal and bassist, Nick Bryson were missing drummer Tom Slade on the night. They kicked off their set with one of the strangest starts I've heard.
Initially it seemed that Alex was just talking to the audience, the words became a little more rhythmic, then his guitar kicked in and you realised that he was into a song. An interesting opening, particularly when you realised that there were parts of the song he was making up as he went along.
More than once I was reminded of a young "They Might Be Giants" there was a quirkiness to the sound that just couldn't be ignored, particularly after Alex went into a mock French section of the song. I wasn't sure how it would go down with the audience, judging by the applause and cheers, damn well.
From there the set went from strength to strength. Fearne are a band that are hard to define, they've got a comic touch to their presentation, but it's considered, it's not really going for laughs, it's not laugh out loud humour. It's more a perception sort of thing, they've got a different slant on the world and are happy to see it that way.
They reach the end of their three song burst and are waved into another couple by folk club host Paul. It's a popular decision with the audience. Fearne have gone down very well. I'd definitely pay to see them headlining one night.
Images courtesy of www.gobadirt.com