The final three in this year’s proms were completed last night. The concerts were supposed to be post ablation celebrations but that never happened, although it got pretty close!…..
First up on the 22nd was Altan, a folk group I have long admired and respected rather than actually listened to at length. They proved to be very fine, much fierier live than expected and the whole set was well paced. Overall, another I’d rather see live than hear on record (CD, live stream, flac, music server etc.) but very enjoyable, although as ever I’d stay clear of the classical traditional Irish repertoire.
The next night we took a chance on Hailey Tuck, having hear no more than a snippet on the excellent Jools Holland show Later. We (that’s Mrs No Name and myself) both thought that the vocal style, whilst affecting, was a little limited in scope. Interesting and eclectic choice of material, her obvious love of both jazz and its pioneers shone through. We enjoyed the set, but did find that the material was often ‘reinvented’ to understandably accommodate the limitations and range of the voice. Quick shoutout for the musicianship of the accompanying band of piano, bass and drums.
Last night (and the last gig of Snape Proms 2018) saw the return of old favourite Jon Boden. Seen Jon both as a solo and with the band Bellowhead before at Snape and always thought they majored on audience excitement/participation. This set, with the Remnant Kings, understandably majored on Jon’s recent “Afterglow” release, which proved in a limited way to hark back to the old 70s idea – the concept album. At first, we both thought that the lead and band didn’t quite seem to gel, almost as if they hadn’t rehearsed the arrangements for long enough. After the break, we both recognised a very different vibe from Bellowhead, much more atmospheric and with an overall feeling that matched the subject matter. Having initially dismissed Afterglow as underwritten, might now have to revisit it!
Roll on next year…..