The last time I saw Bellowhead was
at a one-off Christmas Revels show at the Ballroom of the London Festival Hall. A
great show though the open-plan venue lacked the intimate atmosphere of a more regular gig as I noted in my review at the time. Fast forward 10 months and this is put right by a celebratory performance at
the old theatre now known as Koko. I’ve been very busy in the meantime
as have the band…
The Koko gig is part of a tour to
promote Bellowhead’s second LP Matachin. After starting the set with Jordan
from their previous LP Burlesque, the ‘Head played all of Matachin, intermingled with a few other tracks before returning
to their classic debut for the encores. This was no problem as the new songs
are excellent with the pounding Roll Her Down The Bay, barking Kafoozalum and gentler Spectre Review being particular highlights
for me.
For all those who don’t know
them, Bellowhead are an 11-piece folk big-band including a full brass section who play modern versions of traditional songs. Sound different and, in these times when we may feel we’ve heard everything
before, they are utterly unique, highly melodic on record and highly entertaining live.
Like all of their performances, the Koko gig had a party atmosphere with loads of dancing by the band and audience. The prize for the best ballet though went to saxophonist Brendan Kelly, picked out
tonight at random by cellist Rachel McShane go do a silly dance for us all. Rather
than jive, Kelly went crowd-surfing with me among those holding him up.
This may all sound a bit OTT but Bellowhead
have the musical proficiency and talent to back their stage antics up. All 11
members are superb musicians who, crucially, know when not to play as much as when to display their considerable musical chops. As on record, the live band play excellent, uncluttered arrangements with no-one over-playing
to the detriment of the song.
Many members of the band are also
excellent singers with the five-part harmonic sheen behind Cholera Camp being a particular highpoint. Further highlights not already mentioned included the riotous Pogues-like Whiskey Is The Life Of Man and
crowd-pleasing encores of London Town and Sloe Gin.
Bellowhead are one of the best kept
secrets in the music industry and I would urge you to listen to Matachin or Burlesque.
Even better, go and see them live, down at the front of a regular venue. You
should be in for a superb evening's entertainment by a highly talented group of musicians as I was at the Koko.
28.11.08
