Not many in tonite, but with entertainment aplenty, those who made the midweek pilgrimage to the Roadhouse were not to be disappointed on this balmy, rain-free spring evening.
It's the POLLY PAULUSMA faithful that make up the bulk of the small crowd here, plus the friends and supporters of the support acts sandwiched either side of Polly's set. I descend the steps in time to see a good chunk of the performance from Breightmet rockers A FOREIGN TOWN.
A tight unit they are too. Their flight of the Bolton flag involved the brandishing of classic instruments that added credibility to their 'second-generation' onstage presence, and their catchy four-chord jams were juxtaposed with easy banter to make for a skin-tight, yet lighthearted rock n'roll whole. Tunes like 'Night Rider' showcased their free-spirited three way harmonies, and a pretty accurate knack for hitting the spot as their breezy rock/pop hybrid tore along with some energy, and bollocks to originality.
The stop-start of their bouncing hyperactive offerings boasted a tightened up rhythm section awash with all manner of voxed-out shenanigans. 'See What Happens' was a freakout of epic proportions, bass-driven before the single thread of guitar reverberated forth in tandem with the vocal echo.
Hidden power laced with poetic secrecy? I think you could have been forgiven for thinking as much as the last number shuffled into being off the back of a belting percussive display from their blissed out drummer. 'Never Let You Down' capped their whole thang nicely: "Broken hearts, broken minds, all the
time" went the refrain, and I reckon there's a universal truth in there somewhere. An enjoyable set from these hard gigging Bolton lads, shortly bound for the 'States - catch them in action soon!
With a full band and an array of guitars at her disposal ("I always thought they'd be the death of me one day"), POLLY PAULUSMA took to the stage, and promptly announced that it was great to be back! In a bigger venue than The Star & Garter as well!
Showcasing new material prior to the June release of brand new album 'Fingers & Thumbs', there was an epic opening, as the tuning and sound level false starts gave way to an enduring and uplifting brand of rock n' bared soul. (Owwww! Ha Harr!). As soon as Polly was technically satisfied, her artistic side glowed throughout a stunning performance that bodes very well
indeed for the commercial success of what sounds like a very fine record indeed.
Following up with the understated, dischordant and dizzying 'Ready Or Not', those oddly pitched lungs were now wide open as she powered through the hook-laden slow burn and the central refrain with off-kiltered ease.
Powerful and melodic, this was radio-friendly without much in the way of the mainstreamlined 'assembly line' processing that the phrase implies. Accessible, yes. The new songs are awash with a conventional beauty, but are still idiosyncratic enough to be true to themselves. Sentiments intact, this was solid fayre from the waistcoated songstress, who has a lovely way of
rhyming with articulate and consummate effortlessness between infectious Cheshire sized TV grins.
"This is grotesque. It's about killing kids": she said by way of
introduction to'The Woods', an eyewitness testimony that glowed with smouldering secrecy and a chiming nocturnal half-life. Taken down low enough to make audience attention undivided, and silences tangible
Paulusma's one concession to the keyboard was a big highlight: 'This One I Made For You', a streaming stream of consciousness carried by that uncanny vocal strength. It left the awestruck audience powerless and the appreciation was all the momentum she needed to inject her full soul into her new material
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"You're a lovely lot" she beamed, before returning to her guitars for the shuffling poignancy of 'Day One'. These songs are lengthier than yer average, four to five minutes long and tonight stretched still further under the lights and the weight of expectations that were surpassed - or filled to the point of overflow.
Dizzy falsetto heights were hit as the childhood memories poured forth and time stood still to this. With a voice that slices right through to the bare bones of these bittersweet and breathtaking songs
The hitlike and harmonic 'Goodgrudge' sparkled as a perfect finale. As a showcase for the forthcoming album, this was a complete and utter success. Set for June release, it sounds like compulsive listening on the strength of this strangely compelling show.
Those who stuck around for the countr-ee flavoured set from ALEXIS MCLEAN were fully rewarded with a gorgeous blend of talent and tradition. Accompanied by accomplished guitarist MAT SKINNER, this Manchester artist treated us to a bright and breezy concoction of material that was in perfect step with your notion of what counts as for-real Nashville-conceived classics.
With a lilting kicker voice that hammered home near every line of every number to gorgeous effect, her set oozed a kind of inner strength that was apparent in more than just her highly stylised country celebrations.
Upbeat ditties poured forth with finger-snapping addictiveness, and, undaunted by the few that stayed behind, she bounced about without self-consciousness as she did her absorbing and entrancing 'thang'.Mancheser's contermporary interpretation of good 'ole count-ree music could be spearheaded by this stylish and honest performer who demonstrated deep knowledge of the history together with a natural-born feel for the subtle
melancholy of this oft' slagged and much misunderstood musical tradition.
Grabbing an acoustic and hopping from G to C added a synchronising depth to 'Let You Be', a lovely and distinctive, yet strangely unassuming ballad. With Mr Skinner now free to spice up the slow sad heartbeat with mournful half-asleep licks, it was a delicate and in places dreamlike conclusion to a
brilliant night's entertainment. Ms Mclean is another prolific gigger, and returns to this very stage on April 23rd for an E.P. launch that this writer strongly recommends that you try to attend. 'I Hate Country' emptyheads, be prepared to change your mind as quickly as your socks in the face of her classy and undiluted interpretation.
http://www.myspace.com/aforeigntown
http://www.myspace.com/pollypaulusma
http://www.myspace.com/alexismcleanmusic
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