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O'Hooley Tidow

Venue: forestLIVE
Town: Fordingbridge
Date: 10/11/13
Website: http://ohooleyandtidow.com/

I have listened to Belinda's and Heidi's album 'The Fragile' a number of times and really enjoyed the narratives. However, hearing the album live and watching the duo bring these songs to life exceeded my expectations.

Belinda's piano playing was precise; at times grand accompanying songs such as 'A Daytrip' and at others uncomplicated on such songs as 'Que Sera' and 'The Last Polar Bear'. With few instruments (the accordion and hand bells made an occasional appearance) the two performers concentrate on the power of their two voices united in song.

The duo created exciting and innovative textures, building each song to reveal its clear purpose. Whether raising awareness of a strained global climate, the beauty of human kindness or a daytrip to the seaside each song stood alone. O'Hooley and Tidow's charm lies in the simplicity of their music and its presentation. When offering a capella songs such as 'Teardrop' and 'Banjololo' the two musicians stepped away from the microphone allowing the room to carry their harmonies.

By focussing on the interplay of their voices O'Hooley and Tidow capture a breathtaking intimacy. I was fortunate to speak with the two musicians after their performance and discovered that their first proper meeting took place at a piano. No surprise that their performance at forest LIVE portrayed two friends sharing songs and stories in their front room.

Their performance at forest LIVE was part of the final leg of the Fragile Tour following which O'Hooley and Tidow revealed they will put the album to bed. If their forthcoming third album 'The Hum' is in any way similar to The Fragile, I look forward to more remarkable vocal harmonies and imaginative piano composition accompanying songs that are socially aware; which capture the everyday and the extraordinary.

Louise Jordan