Rob Heron And The Tea Pad Orchestra
Album: Talk About The Weather
Label: Tea Pad
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

I first became aware of Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra when they played a blistering support set to Pokey Lafarge at The Kazimier in Liverpool in 2012 [what a double bill that was -you can read about in this magazine's live reviews].I was hugely impressed by Rob and the band.

By a happy coincidence [!] I also got to review their album "Money Isn't Everything" for this very same magazine, also in 2012 [see reviews section]. Again I was most impressed.

For those who are not familiar with Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra [RHATTPO]they are purveyors of their own heady blend of Western swing, blues, Gypsy jazz, early Country music and Ragtime. As they come from Newcastle Upon Tyne, they naturally call their style of music North Eastern Swing.

However, RHATTPO are not mere revivalists or copyists, far from it. Of the eleven tracks on this album, ten are original compositions by Rob [although one was co-written by the band's mandolin/harmonica player, Tom Cronin]. The only non-original is "Crazy Country Fool" by G. "Shippy" Anderson [about whom I know absolutely nothing].

Apart from Rob and the aforementioned Tom, the Orchestra comprises Ben Fitzgerald [guitar],Colin Nicholson [accordion], Rob Blazey [double bass]and Paul Archibald [drums, piano and kitchen utensils]. Rob Heron is the lead vocalist but Tom,Ben,Colin and Rob Blazey all provide vocal support. Together they create a gloriously eclectic noise.

They also look the part, dressed in their sharp retro suits,waistcoats and ties.

What appeals to me about RHATTPO is that they cleverly use early twentieth century American roots music [eg. Western swing and early Country, think Bob Wills and Hank Williams] as a platform for Rob's topical contemporary songs. Thus, they are at once both authentically old yet compellingly modern.As Pokey Lafarge has put it "They feel the old music but they're more concerned with speaking their own voice". Well put, Pokey.

This new album "Talk About The Weather" is, like its predecessor, a delightful blend of deft playing and witty songs.

Rob's songs encompass a broad range of contemporary issues with great verve and humour.

The topics covered on the album include:

• In "Drinking Coffee Rag", the craving for coffee ["I'm a gibbering wreck on the floor"];
• In "Soleil", the English obsession with the weather ["We need to talk about the weather"];
• In "Junk On The Radio", the paucity of good radio and television programmes ["There's too much junk on the radio,too much trash on t.v."]. Quite.
• In "Hey Mr.Landlord", the plight of tenants ["I've got mice in my kitchen and the lack of a functioning tap"].

Best of all,though, is "High Speed Train", a brilliant song in which Rob questions the need for HS2 and states that he would rather take his time and unwind than have a high speed train "rolling through my little town".Rob also asks " just where are you going to get all that money that you're going to spend?". The genius part of this song is that its tune bears a certain resemblance to Junior Parker's "Mystery Train"- a great musical pun.

Another topical subject that Rob tackles in his inimitable way is gambling. In "Penny Drop Mambo" with its sinuous Latin beat, honky tonk piano and honking sax, he tells of the dangers of betting. He warns "All you fellas, don't believe the dream because if you want to lose your house,your wife and your money, put it all in the penny drop machine". Many a true word, methinks.

The album closes on a lively note with "Don't Kick That Oven Door" which combines cookery with songwriting and gives drummer Paul Archibald his chance to perform his big solo on pots and pans. Great stuff !

In conclusion, this is another hugely enjoyable album from Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra. It's tremendous fun and has some wonderful playing from the band but at the same time Rob's songs do provide a healthy dose of satire and comment on contemporary Britain. Do yourself a favour and check it out, it will put a big grin on your face.

Peter Cowley