PAUL
SIMMONDS in "I CAN SING" SHOCKER!!!!
All
the pre-gig kerfuffle that surrounded the Bristol & Newcastle
gigs, but where was everyone for Paul & Swill's first PJB
& TWK outing prior to their German live appearances to promote
'Babyfishlips'?
The Barn, at Southwick is a perfect venue for gigs such as
these (indeed, TMTCH have played there before); and hosted
by an enthusiastic MC Attila the poetry lout (remember Iron
Men Of Rap?) it deserved better attendance from Rawhiders
than it actually got.
But all
things being equal it was perhaps fitting that a stripped
down audience should see a stripped down sound. It gave it
that 'family feel' as backpages of an illustrious songwriting
history were flicked through with Swill & Paul sharing vocal
duties (yes, Paul sings folks!) and supported by Dave Kent
on whistles, harmonica and occasional vocals.
TMTCH
& Liberty Cage songs were given just as much attention as
the PJB material, but with revised interpretations to make
them appear new again. Ironmasters, the Bells, Ghosts of Cable
Street, Refugee, Nightbird & You make my mind stand still
(for anyone who missed this version with Dave in fine vocal
form you missed out big time!) rubbed confident shoulders
with The Light, The Rising Road, Barretts Privateers & The
Trigger so that the cumulative effect was of having witnessed
one of those rare gigs that people talk about with great fondness
but you always seem to miss out on. This time, I'm very glad
and proud to say "I was there".
I've
seen TMTCH before, more times than I can remember...and will
see them again I'm sure, but PJB & TWK always seemed like
it was going to be golden...and by jimbo it was. Thanks guys.
Track
listing follows:
GOING
BACK TO COVENTRY
THE TRIGGER
PIECES OF PARADISE
NIGHTBIRD
BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS
MERCY OF THE GUARDS
GHOSTS OF CABLE STREET
RISING ROAD
REFUGEE
THE LIGHT
THE BELLS
YOU MAKE MY MIND STAND STILL
GREENBACK DOLLAR
IRONMASTERS
Encore:
SCARLET
RIBBONS (or GREEN BUTTONS?! If you were there you'll know
what I mean)
WALKIN' TALKIN'