John Sebastian Gig Review

The gig was organised by Tony from Tin Hut Promotions, who apart from organising events like this look after The Wraiths. Also in support was Steve Parkhouse from The Folk House, who also manages Jhassi Elliott. These guys are passionate about their music, so we knew we were in safe hands from the start. They got a full house, which is an achievement in itself for a Bristol venue these days.

A lot of musicians in the audience as well. We were lucky enough to be sat beside Rowena from Santa Dog, who had come down to check out The Wraiths before they play with them and Los Imbasils at a New Years bash (that will be some event!).

The John Sebastian Lightship has the potential to be a really great and unusual venue. It smells a bit damp right now, probably because it’s an old ship that is only open at weekends. This should improve once they open during the week as well.

It’s cosy and the shape and size of the space makes for excellent acoustics. Unfortunately the acoustics work both ways and when the bar area was noisy, it did irritate everyone else sat in the forward area who had come to listen to the music, and I saw the odd flicker of annoyance cross the faces of the artists.

Not sure how they can resolve this without some structural modifications as there is a wide, open stairwell running from the upper deck and this divides the bar from the auditorium.

Anyway, what type of idiot pays £5 to see a gig of this calibre, then spends their time nattering in the bar?

Off we go then – me on the camera and Chris taking notes.

Jhassi Elliott was up first. She had that nightmare of every singer – a sore throat that had been so bad the previous day she was worried she might have to cancel. Anyway, after overdosing on Locketts and drinking loads of water, apart from a noticeable croak when she spoke and having to detune for one song (she apologised), Jhassi performed perfectly. She’s got an excellent clarity in her voice and gave an assured performance. No slouch on the guitar either.

She started off with the upbeat ‘Our Way’, before moving on to ‘ Sea Of Days’, a song she wrote a couple of years ago. Next was ‘Duma Song’, which she wrote when she was 16 and fell in love for the first time. A Fiona Apple cover ‘Paper Bag’ was followed by the plaintive ‘Naturally Awkward’.

Jhassi had to detune for ‘Collide’ (a song which revisited the recurring theme of insecurity in love, and seeing threats from other people), and made effective use of a staccato strum technique. Another cover ‘Both Hands’, from another of Jhassi’s influences Ani DiFranco, was followed by ‘Norman Bates’ (a song about stealing other people’s lovers). Jhassi rounded off her set and demonstrated her guitar skills with ‘Ticking bomb’, a song she’d written a couple of weeks ago after an argument at the bar with a friend.

Jhassi’s CD is due out in October, so she didn’t have anything to give out at the end. Steve Parkhouse tells us it’s fantastic though, and on the strength of tonight’s performance we believe him and look forward to getting a copy.

Slow were performing as a 5-piece tonight, with Lucy debuting on harmonium/harmony vocals. Marvin, Lucy and Col were visible, Dan had managed to wedge himself into the back corner of the stage, and it wasn’t until Marvin mentioned Kate was playing glockenspiel that we knew she was there at all as she’d successfully vanished from our field of view (well, small stage for 5 people!)

Slow started their set with ‘Universe', followed by 'Old Crow' a track from their second EP 'The Acoustic EP'. Marvin was on lead vocals, with Lucy on harmonies on most of the songs – a really effective combination.

Next up came all four tracks from their new EP entitled 'Seeds' which was showcased at Ashton Court this year. First up was the title track, featuring the harmonium and glockenspeil, and then Lucy moved on to djembe for ‘Lies’, which was followed by the catchy and introspective ‘Over Myself’. ‘Exit’, with Lucy back on Harmonium and harmony vocals, started off quietly and built up the intensity nicely.

After that came ‘Glory’ from the Acoustic EP, and finishing off with ‘Higher Self’ which is likely to be on their forthcoming album.

Slow got an enthusiastic applause at the end of their set, and Tony persuaded them to reprise ‘Seeds’, their ‘positive vision of the end of the world as we know it’, which got everyone going all over again.

The ‘Slow’ ethos is as it says on the tin – s-l-o-w. So to get the best from the live experience you need to be chilled, relaxed and above all, quiet. This is when the noise from the bar became an issue and took the edge off a really superb and subtle performance.

We made sure we got a copy of Seeds and can enjoy Slow as nature intended – surround sound or through headphones – oh yeah!

Last up, The Wraiths. Chris tells me I spent most of the set with my mouth open. For those of you who don’t know, The Wraiths take their lyrics from poems, from poets like Tennyson, DH Lawrence, Emily Dickinson, Ford Maddox Ford. The other thing The Wraiths do is clothe these words in the most incredible music, with sequences and chord changes you just don’t see coming.

The delivery is something special too: a feeling of restrained power always underlying the fragile and haunting vocals, a power which is unleashed at the perfect moments with sections of urgent driving guitar. The cool, unflappable Mog, counterbalanced perfectly by the sensitive and intense Jon.

Their interaction with each other is as much part of the experience as that they have with the audience. Mog and Jon were obviously enjoying themselves and the affection and esteem they have for each other is evident to all who care to look.

The overall effect is something that hooks into your soul and transports you away to somewhere else. Well, it did me anyhow.

Amongst the standout songs were ‘I Robbed The Woods’, an Emily Dickinson poem, and Bright Star (John Keats), both with an ecological message for the modern world. ‘The Time Of Roses’ was played on request from the audience, followed up with my personal favourite ‘Fair Pledges Of A Fruitful Tree’ –a Robert Herrick poem from the 1500’s. Sent shivers up my spine, both for the ethereal quality of the vocals and the slider effect Mog produced on her electric guitar at the end.

A newish song ‘Eastern Sky’ by Thomas Beddoes, was a more upbeat number. For ‘Wild Times’ (Christine Rosetti), Mog moved to drum and dealt out a pounding beat to a rhythmic build that held the audience spellbound. Another Christine Rosetti poem – ‘Baby Lies Asleep’ was followed up by their final number ‘ Charing Cross’, the title track from their first album.

Of course the audience went bonkers at the end, and The Wraiths were called back for an encore. Then it was back to planet earth for me.

The Wraiths are now working on their second album, which will include a lot of the songs we heard tonight.

Those unlucky people who missed tonight (or were at the bar) can get a second chance. Slow perform at a PA-free acoustic night at the Landsdown in Clifton (with 7Hertz) on Tues 17th October. The Wraiths are on at The Folk House with North Sea Navigator on 22nd September.

Kev& Chris@Bristolbands.com