Larkin Poe
Jumping Hot Club
Caedmon Hall
Gateshead
12th April 2015
Yet again I was too busy chatting in the foyer, I nearly missed the start of Gilded Thieves set; and as I made my way through the sold-out crowd I thought I’d been transported back to the sixties as the Northumbrian Folk-Rock troupe are made up of three very hirsute young men and two young women who wouldn’t have looked out of place in Steeleye Span or Pentangle circa 1968.
Yet again I was too busy chatting in the foyer, I nearly missed the start of Gilded Thieves set; and as I made my way through the sold-out crowd I thought I’d been transported back to the sixties as the Northumbrian Folk-Rock troupe are made up of three very hirsute young men and two young women who wouldn’t have looked out of place in Steeleye Span or Pentangle circa 1968.
Not normally my first choice of music on a night out; I was really impressed with the bands tight harmonies and fluid guitar playing; but their self-penned songs were all quite memorable and full of hooks and choruses.
A couple of songs really stood out; Run, about an outlaw and Oh Sinner! Which may even have been a bit of a jig, if I’m not mistaken and they also included an Ed Sheeran song, I See Fire much to my amusement as my friends aren’t that songwriters biggest fans. Regardless of the songs heritage it was especially good; probably because it suited Laura Jackets’ lovely voice perfectly; and not for the first time Sarah Cardnell’s performance on the violin was exceptional and showed the difference between that instrument and a fiddle.
On paper a local Folk-Rock band (with the emphasis on Folk) shouldn’t have worked as the support for Alt. Country Swampers Larkin Poe; but it did work and the queue for CD’s and ‘selfies’ was testament to how good they were. One for the future; methinks.
Tonight Larkin Poe were a trio; not the normal quartet, with Marlon Patton not only drumming but also playing a magic box with his stocking foot that substituted for a bass guitar.
I first saw the Lovell Sisters four years ago; upstairs in a local pub when there were possibly as many people on stage as paying customers and was singularly impressed with Rebecca’s dexterity on acoustic guitar and mandolin while Megan’s flourishes on her lap-steel were mind blowing. In the intervening years their playing has certainly matured and is now less ‘showy’ probably because their songs are now the main focal point of the show.
With five previous long playing EP’s in their back catalogue and two very well received collaborations Larkin Poe’s Kin is hardly their debut album; but it’s being markets as such; and was the basis for the bulk of tonight’s concert.
Although not on an album (I think); early on they included the Jazz standard Wade in the Water; but turned it into a dark and brooding Southern Gothic hymnal that was quite scary in parts; and beautiful in others and Jesse; about a family member, was stunning and had the fans eagerly joining in the call and respond chorus. Another joy from the album was the bass heavy and tub thumping Mad As a Hatter which opened the door for some cool riffs from the dark haired Rebecca.
Alternating between acoustic, mandolin and her damn cool looking Fender Jaguar Rebecca seemed to have more fun on the latter; particularly showing the boys how it’s done on Hey Sinner! as sister Megan made her slide guitar squall and squeal like a melodic wounded animal. Halfway through they even gave a nod to Southern Rocker, Black Betty and between them it was difficult to believe that there were only three people on the stage; but there were.
Most songs were given an introduction; many of them quite humorous; and before Dandelion Rebecca became a bit over excited and got tongue tied; much to Megan’s obvious delight. The night was particularly made memorable for two members of the audience as Megan stepped off stage to give them their very own personal lap-steel dances!!
The Lovell Sisters may look very young and pretty; but don’t let that deceive you, they can Rock like anyone full of testosterone and beer; as the final two songs the Southern Boogie of When God Closes a Door and the thrash Country of Jail Break which had a few at the back dancing like Dervishes.
The trio left the stage for the obligatory 45 seconds before returning for a shimmering, slide induced version of Cher’s Bang Bang which took us right back to the girls sexy Southern Gothic roots.
This is the Jumping Hot Club’s thirtieth Anniversary year and tonight’s concert is a perfect example of why they have stood the test of time; introducing newcomers Gilded Thieves alongside club favourites Larkin Poe who are knocking on the door of International stardom.
http://www.larkinpoe.com/
http://www.gildedthieves.co.uk/biography.php
photo-set http://www.harrisonaphotos.co.uk/Music/Larkin-Poe/i-vcB74W8
The Rocking Magpie 