The Curfew Club Presents: PAINTED LADY, SEAN MORRIS, JONNY MUDD.
The Cavalier Club Barber Shop Bedford. Wednesday 21st January 2016.
Even at my advanced years things and situations in a hairdressers shop at eight O’clock in the evening would, a few short weeks ago, been quite unimaginable. However, let me explain. 2016 has seen the launch of The Curfew Club under the watchful eye of Mr. Jez Brown, artists and bands are going to be regularly performing acoustic sets in some of Bedford’s most quirky and unusual places. (If you know of one please let Jez know!). Tonight, the recently opened Cavalier Club is host to the first show, which is primarily a fund raiser for future, bigger events. Situated on the corner of Lime Street and Harpur street, this barbers shop provides the most perfect ambience for some fun and at times, raucous fare, as opposed to the ‘shushy shush’ stuff. Although of course alcohol is not available for sale, attendees are freely welcome to bring their own, which most people do. The sound quality of the room is surprisingly good and is helped and overseen by the Bedford Esquires sound engineer ‘Mash’ the low ceiling makes a considerable difference first to the mic is JONNY MUDD as far as live gigs are concerned, this tall fella is vastly underrated and sadly underused in Bedford, hopefully The Curfew Club will rectify this glaring omission.
Jonny has a natural engaging personality and a fluid, relaxed style. “This is intimate” and “What an awesome little venue” he muses at the start, before strumming a song that is ironically entitled Getting It Wrong, thankfully he doesn’t! Jonny is genuinely performing on the shop floor tonight and that’s The Truth. His dapper attire is classy, but a touch warm, so when he starts overheating a bit he politely asks for the hairdresser door to be opened. Gazing out of the very large windows, I notice so many rather gob smacked people walking past us. They appear both oblivious and curious. A look of amazement is etched on their cold faces. My favourite song of the set is The Wanderer Never Returned. Principally it’s because a chunk of it features Jonny whistling. I always have an admiration for this, as it must be damn difficult to do it in a room full of staring people. His composition The Things We Might Have Been almost catches our bespectacled troubadour out! Firstly he has to quickly remind himself how it goes and secondly, oh those “New strings in a hot room” Jonny also admits that this song stripped down acoustically does not do it full justice. If, when, or maybe, Mr. Mudd has his debut E.P. released, a grand piano amongst other instruments will sweep majestically across our consciousness in listening to the recorded version on the whole, this is a set heavily influenced by Californian singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and in homage to “The Big Man” Jonny finishes off with the Mraz composition You Fxxxin Did It.
With a denim jacket and smart brown shoes, SEAN MORRIS follows with a nod to his hero’s, those blue collar American composers messrs Springsteen and Earle. When he is on top form, Sean expressively utilises his fantastic vocal prowess, but unfortunately I felt tonight was not one of them. It was a very flat, stop start set that seldom flowed for this reviewer. Sean sadly reached a sunken low with a dirgy cover of Don’t Look Back In Anger. (I couldn’t see that one coming!) Thankfully the gloom was lifted by a couple of highlights. Doghouse Roses featured a clever injection of Born To Run towards its closure. I know Sean is proud of this song and he gave it full value this evening. Also worthy note was Never Look Back, a tale, rudely introduced “About unrequited love”. Perhaps alcohol clouded this talented musician’s brain on this particular occasion?
Headlining are PAINTED LADY . A local band who I feel deserve some success. They are a jaunty five piece male/female folk ensemble and they have also released a most impressive debut E.P. entitled Holding Back And Hoping. Although they categorise themselves as a folk band. They are probably a 21st century model for this perennial genre. No beards or ‘Hey nonny noos’ for these youngsters! Folk is a wide umbrella and Painted Lady demonstrate this exquisitely. Their songs are forever bright, breezy and uplifting. More importantly, they never ever stop smiling, I like that, if they are enjoying it the feeling for us is infectious. With Richard and Elizabeth sharing main vocal duties, the whole ‘gang’ join in throughout. Liam on bass. Claire on shaker and especially the exuberant Luke tapping his Cajon, although this gig is free, everybody attending are actively encouraged to put some money into the tip jars which are situated around the room. As well as performing their own compositions, the five piece offer up a whole variety of covers jokingly they say they are “for gangstas” and “garage fans.” They also like “mash ups,” but really it’s a ‘team’ love for “nineties RnB”. A penchant for “urban vibes”. Their own stuff enchants for its catchy variety. A soft reggae lilt lifts the soul of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart ( the outro even includes a dash of Careless Whisper) a light bluesy flame flickers through Down At The Burrow, while the very catchy indie pop of Beer For Breakfast is an instant favourite of mine in these dark dank depressing days of January, its crystal clear that this breezy sounding crowd requests are answered in the affirmative. As well as a fine rendition of The Chain with the many tattoos on show tonight, Painted Lady are an extremely apt band to start, what hopefully will be many top shows for The Curfew Club I wish them good luck and every success.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk