The Gathering in Bonn

A veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of British Folk Rock was represented at The Harmonie in Bonn on Sunday:  Lindisfarne, Steeleyespan, Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull and The Albion Band…  It’s a genre that always seemed ‘underground’ to me, even in the 70′s.  Some 30 years later I’m catching up with ‘The Gathering’ and some Legends of Folk Rock…

First off, something of a disappointment is the news that Steeleye Span bass player Rick Kemp is ill.  I especially wanted to ask his thoughts on daughter Rose’s music – one of the more striking shows from last years ‘Crossroads’ Festival’   Maybe it’s just as well since I remember her somewhat screeching style of music wasn’t my cup of tea.  His replacement for the evening is not a folk legend but is the son of one – Matt, son of Dave Pegg to be exact.

The BOS count (Bums On Seats) is looking a bit low come showtime but there are enough people to create a pleasant atmosphere even if it seems as though chairs should be exchanged for blankets on the ground for that genuine Festival feeling (and maybe throw in a bucket of water too for that genuine 70′s Festival weather).  It does seem a bit empty though and I feel some sympathy for the ‘Legends’ who are more used to fields of fans disappearing into infinity (or English misty rain).

There’s a quite lengthy intro before the first number.  “We’re just talking until the drugs start to take effect” jokes guitarist Doug Morter in a dry way befitting someone who looks not unlike Frankie Howerd with a guitar.  Thankfully he doesn’t play guitar like Frankie – it’s much more in the Mark Knopfler cool style.  Delivered as so often by Knopfler on a cherry red Stratocaster.  His ‘I Don’t Want’ floats along nicely in Dire Straits mode.  “A song about my lifelong hobby… Avoiding work” as he puts it.  Actually, aside from a mention of  ‘Not wanting to work no production lines’ it’s a delicate love song.

As befitting a band fronted by singer Ray Jackson there are a fair few Lindisfarne classics on offer,  the most famous being ‘Lady Eleanor’.  Who can resist launching into the chorus – “Well it’s alright, Lady Eleanor…”  There is also opportunity to foot-tap to ‘Meet Me On The Corner’ the old Melanie hit from Lindisfarne.  ‘Around the Bend’ is an excellent opportunity to showcase the talents of Jerry Donahue on guitar.   A man justly christened ‘The guitarists guitarist’ with a list of credits behind him that reads like a who’s who of British rock music – Jerry has played behind them all: Elton John, Cliff Richard, The Yardbirds… and one Robert Plant.  Speaking of whom, the guest female vocalist this evening, Jerry’s daughter Kristina,  last year duetted with the former Led Zeppelin frontman on ‘The Battle of Evermore’ at the Cropredy Festival.

As a fan of the late Sandy Denny I was keen to see how Kristina Donahue would tackle the vocals of such a special talent.  In short, as she explains afterwards, she doesn’t try.  “I sing the songs the way I want to” she tells me.  Very wise – and as it turns out, very well too.  The delicate tones of Sandy Denny who died after a tragic fall down a stairway in 1978 (at just 31 years old) are bolder in Kristina’s hands on ‘For Shame of Doing Wrong’ but the more strident approach rides nicely on a hard, rocky backdrop with excellent drumming from Jethro Tull’s Clive Bunker.

Lest we forget that time moves on, Doug Morter’s dry wit is on hand to remind us with the poignant ‘Don’t Make Me Old’ :

“I can dance, I can strut, I can boogaloo.  Hip hop is fine and I can rave on too.

Don’t you be thinking Grandads out of his mind.

Don’t make me old before my time”

Thankfully Ray Jackson reminds us that old is good – especially if you’re a Geordie like him.  A quickfire blast of the genuinely old anthem ‘Blaydon Races’ is a nice pick-me-up.

“Nowadays we might get asked to endorse Stair Lifts and hearing aids” remembers Morter but there was a time when free drinks were the reward for singing the praises of a certain dark beer at home – A chorus singing the praises of ‘Newcastle Brown’ follows.  Whether free drinks followed this time around is not recorded.  I can however report a satisfied round of applause at the end of an enjoyable evenings Folk Rock though.

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