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O'Hooley & Tidow

Venue: Bournemouth Folk Club - Centre Stage
Town: Bournemouth
Date: 1st march
Website: http://www.ohooleyandtidow.com/

It's been too long since I'd last seen O'Hooley & Tidow, they were still touring previous album "Silent June". Likewise it had been way too long since I'd last set foot in my favourite folk club, Bournemouth Folk Club at Centre Stage. To resolve both issues in a single night was way too much of an opportunity to pass up. Especially as this was the first tour supporting new album "The Fragile", an album I'd declared a masterpiece when I reviewed it earlier in the year. I was buoyed by the Independent declaring this as one of their top ten gigs of the week, have they got a crystal ball and a half.

First up were local duo The Douglas Firs, a band I've seen here on a number of occasions, but not since they went off on an extensive tour of Canada last year, definitely a night of home comings. Before getting into the review a word of solidarity with Jimmy Douglas, he was the only representative of chromosome Y on stage this evening. It's a role he's destined to repeat next week when Bournemouth Folk Club celebrates International Women's Day with a barrage of the best of the areas female singer songwriters, with Jimmy again playing with Suzy Douglas.

Back on home turf, the Douglas Firs were quickly into their stride, Suzy performs in an understated style, which really allows the songs to speak for themselves. The set being a fine combination of old favourites and new songs for a projected new EP later in the Spring/early Summer. Judging by the way they went down with a very attentive and appreciative audience, it's going to be a popular release.

The Douglas Firs signed off with their signature song, "Woman Of Wood" to warm and heartfelt applause, leaving a happy and contented audience for (Belinda) O'Hooley & (Heidi) Tidow for the first of their two sets

If you've been lucky enough to have seen and O'Hooley & Tidow set before you'll know that it's not so much a gig as a performance, it's the cumulation of the singing, playing and banter, it all comes with a touch of cabaret, all of which draws out your empathy for both performers and songs. You know from the moment they open with "The Tallest Tree", the opening song from "The Fragile" that you are in for a magical evening. It's not until there's a small stutter in the encore that you are reminded that you are in fact watching mortals.

As expected both sets that O'Hooley & Tidow performed drew extensively on "The Fragile" sympathetically mixed with a sprinkling of favourites from "Silent June". Beautifully rich harmonies, both accompanied and unaccompanied took us pretty much through the whole range of emotions as they played with so many different shades and textures. The between song banter filled you in on the history of the songs to the extent that at times you could almost feel yourself living some of the numbers.

There were the little things too. You realise how much ornithology plays a role in the songs, not just those that draw on traditional themes, but their newer pieces as well. Similarly there is a very political edge to their repertoire, not so much as a whole song, more phrases and verses built into the body of their work.

Theirs is a set of contrasts, sometimes free flowing, sometimes slightly more rigid, happy and sad, deep and meaningful through light and frivolous. O'Hooley & Tidow can hold your attention, almost to the point you don't want to let out your breath less it disturbs the person sat next to, only to make a racket as soon as the song finishes.

This was a special night, a special night indeed.

Words & Pics Neil King