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Young Uns

Venue: The Met
Town: Bury
Date: 23/01/14
Website: http://www.theyounguns.co.uk

A sell out in The Met's studio for the North East trio, and with jazzy Jacqui Dankworth upstairs in the main theatre gave 'oor lads plenty of opportunity for some of their famed natural and unscripted witty banter. The re-arranged gig at The Met came on the heels of completing their new album 'Never Forget' (out in March) and not missing the chance of a marketing opportunity, some hectic pre-release business was the order of the day at the break.

Seizing any opportunity to (a) break into closely harmonized and unaccompanied song and (b) to allow Dave Eagle to head off on an improvised tangent of his trademark sharply observed repartee (mostly revolving around jazz and saxophone solos this evening), a night out in the company of the Young 'Uns is nothing less than value for money entertainment. There's some element of charm in the way they seem to be busking it in the way they get into a huddle between songs to decide what to sing next (the "shall we do……..", "yes, let's do that one", "but we usually finish off with that one", "oh go on then we'll do that one" type chat).

The songs are unashamedly based around the North East, hardly a bedrock you'd think for traditional folk songs to the extent that they tell of one writer (whose name passes me by) actually imported songs into the towns of Sunderland and Hartlepool to give them some identity, and there's also the fierce pride and allegiance to their roots that the boys have shown over their ten years singing together (including seven and a half years 'shouting' according to Dave) which is a hallmark of their craft.

They take inspiration from some diverse sources and write about not only their locality but also look at more topical events, such as the well documented potential religious confrontation which took place in York in recent times, diffused simply by the very British solution of a nice cup of tea and some biscuits. The two variations on 'The Biscuits of Bull Lane' take the subject at a different level, with Dave's foray into Sean Cooney's songwriting preserve resulting in a more light hearted and laugh out loud version (track 13 on the new album apparently).

Whilst a medley of shanties shows their leanings towards a lengthy prog rock style workout, 'Love In A Northern Town' (that town being the centre of romance that is Sunderland) sees Michael Hughes pick up the guitar to accompany Dave's accordion and show what they can do with some simple instrumental backing. There's also (of course) 'The Battle Of Stockton' relating the tale of how the local townsfolk repelled the attempts by Oswald Mosely's Blackshirts to impart their beliefs and ideals on the vulnerable (or so they thought) locals in the 1930's. A composition of which they are quite rightly proud.

Recognising the tradition of folk song in the North West, the evening ending the evening with that well known Manchester folk song 'Sit Down' made famous by local lads James, it works as a tribute to show how the industrial centres of the nation are just as ripe for song as the fields, forests, rivers and glens which are the archetypal settings for these songs.

Originally tempted into the folk arena by attending their local folk club as young lads, being amazed by what they saw and heard and taking inspiration from local singers who simply love to sing, they have developed into an unpretentiously class act. A fine upstanding example to all, let's hope that they inspire youngsters to take up the mantle in the same way.

Words & Pics, Mike Ainscoe