Gerard & Rodney on Wednesday

[Paul Vallis <paulvallis@ho...com>]

Gerard and Rodney's set list (according to my list scribbled in the half 
light):
 
Love Come Round
Razor Walk
Spitting Out Miracles
Barfly (Rodney solo)
World View Blue
Treeful of Starlings
Jack Leaves and Back Spring
Streamers (Rodney solo, on mandolin)
Beautiful Is
Yr Own World
 
Most of it worked reasonably well, although not as well as with a full 
band.  Rodney's solo stuff works slightly better in this context, although 
that may be just due to Rodney having a better "singing" voice than 
Gerard.  The half-spoken, half-sung style of Gerard's is a bit more 
exposed in this more intimate sort of setting, and sometimes his 
announciation left words hanging in the first couple of songs, but it 
improved as the set went on.
 
As to the rest of the night....
 
First support of the night was Deer Park, sometimes a band but tonight a 
solo Irishman with some excellent songs and a lively presence.
 
Headliners Cracker were playing as a duo rather than the usual band, 
presumably to make touring abroad a cost effective possibility.  I wasn't 
familiar with them, but one of the guys used to be in Camper Van 
Beethoven, whose single "Take The Skinheads Bowling" I remember hearing on 
John Peel back in the day, and its always been a favourite.  They did a 
few CVB songs as well as Cracker material, and really impressed me. Some 
great songs with entertaining patter between.
 
The only things that didn't impress on the night in fact were the people 
chatting loudly (mainly at the bar) and the fact that the gig went on so 
late that I had to miss the end to get the last bus home.  Weeknight gigs 
should start earlier and not end late, otherwise people will either stop 
coming or always drive, which will mean less bar take.
 
PV1                                       
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