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aimless drifter View Drop Down
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Points: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bluehorses...Tavistock Jan 14th 2006
    Posted: January 24 2006 at 19:02

www.bluehorses.co.uk

Bluehorses are probably the only folk-rock-celtic-heavy-metal-goth band around. ..(BBC)

I was not sure what to expect here, never having been before - its a long way from home - but I was assured there would be a warm welcome. I was also concerned that so soon after Krimblydoddle many people may be on the austerity bit and minding the pennies - well if they were it did not show, and the latecomers had to search for a place to stand.

The night was also going to be different as the band were to play two sets with an interval ... something I had never witnessed them doing before - mind you it did give the audience time to shuffle around a bit, and cut down on the mid set migration to the bar.

The set followed very similar lines from last year .. opening with Cabbage Train which allows everyone to warm up gently before charging off into Witch in Wedlock. This highlighted how many new fans had turned up ... there were very few hands in the air during the counting - may have to get some corriograpy sheets made up and passed around. This was actually very pleaseing to see and does show that the fan base is expanding Laughing

Blackleg Miner followed keeping up the brisk pace,before cooling as they settled into Gravel Walk, as Baby Blue - the harp made it first appearance, it reminded me of a conversation overheard before the start .........
Two blokes watching the promo for the Live DVD shot at Saul Festival last year, which was playing on a big screen to get everyone in the mood and also to show off all its glory Wink

Quote:


1 - What's that then?
2 - Dunno - looks like a harp
1 - Can't be ... thems really big, thats just a small thing.
2 - has to be, .. never heard of a Rock band having one
1 - Not bad though

Black is the Colour moved into Mad Tom after some pantomime practice. By now even the reticent, were moving around unable to keep still. Next up was Ostara/ Morrisons with a gentle build to to full on mosh. Extra percussion was provided by Jay during the latter part - Hios new gig trousers were festooned with metal which jingled with every step, couple this with a large pair of New Rocks thumping on the stage. Jumping up and down added a differnet dimension to the accompanyment Surprised

Last song before the interval Billy Boy and the mandostrat was out.. three youngsters just behind me went off with very un Goth like Oooohhhs, and "sweet" - I suspect that there will be some changes to the wish list after this. Rolling Eyes

All too soon the interval arrived and great effort was taken to avoid the stampede towards the bar.

 

So the second half started with the slow wind-up introduction to Barbara Allen which kinda got the crowd going again in a gentle sort of way. However buy the time Lizzie and Jay were exchanging licks in the middle we (in the crowd) were back at full throttle. The pace continued as the band charged into Bigger Gun which highlighted again the need for more 'old timers' to come forward and show the newbies the moves.
Sitting Pretty - vying for the oldest track of the night- maybe Mr Neddy could confirm - brought a sea of hands clapping in the air (after some prompting from Jay and Nat).
Lizzie introduced the next track -Crow on the Cradle - as one heard at Saul, from a performance by a local hero - Phil Beer - as part of the Show of Hands set. I hope that when he gets to hear this version, that he agrees with me when he answers Lizzie's question. Following on was another "borrowed" track, this time from Last Night's Fun - Night Visit - once again the "horsed up" version went down a storm with the audience.
The second set finished with the the barnstorming title track from the current EP - Skyclad - and the band left the stage to the thunderous applause from the audience.
After a suitable wait, they were back, while the other band members were sorting out their instruments Lizzie asked how many of the crowd were wearing New Rocks - a brand of boot I am told - a lonesome hand went up from the front of the crowd, however one of three young un's near me was overheard

Quote:
Damn, damn ... they are at home


next time they will be out of the cupboard as it is cool to wear them Laughing

before the laughter had died down we were into Vivaldi - brings back memories of Curved Air, but not sure they could deliver the power of this. then into the traditional finale with teh introductions and leading into that great jam session otherwise known as Twmbarlwm

Then all too soon it was over, the crowd spilling out for one last drink at the bar, and the checking out the merchandise stall. As usual the band was on hand for signing duties.

There were many happy faces that night in Tavistock, including mine.


 

 




 
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Nightwing View Drop Down
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Points: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 25 2006 at 13:44

We were privaleged to be at this show, and can confirm what an awesome band The Bluehorses are, both live, & their studio albums are a must have for any home.

I (Mark) have not been so excited about a band since 1982, when I first saw Nightwing live.  Please don't let The Bluehorses get away, like Nightwing were allowed to.

The Bluehorses could & should go all the way to the top!

 

 
Make 2006 The Year Of The Bluehorses
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Tony Fisher View Drop Down
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Points: 967 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 25 2006 at 14:11
Since my favourite bands include Mostly Autumn (Celtic/Folk Prog Rock), Horslips (Celtic Prog Rock), Budgie (Hard Rock/Metal) and Oysterband (Folk Rock with a hard edge), I suspect this lot might have something to offer. Do they ever come up North (ie Yorkshire area)?

Not sure about the Goth bit, though.
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Points: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 28 2006 at 09:58

Hi Tony,

 

Don't let the goth bit put you off.  it's just the way Lizzie dresses.

Have a look at their very good website  www.bluehorses.co.uk

The Bluehorses have shared a stage with The Oysterband & Hawkwind to name but two.  Live is where The Bluehorses come into their own, not saying that their studio albums are not good though, they are.  After we saw them for the first time at Bridgnorth, we bought the job lot of cd's and love them all.

The Bluehorses are always on the look out for gigs and festivals.  If you have a festival near you, contact the organisers and ask them to book The Bluehorses.

Like you we are into all sorts of music, and in the last year or so we have seen live, Budgie, Danger Danger, The Oysterband x 2, Show Of Hands x2, Martyn Joseph x2, Ralph McTell, Def Leppard and of course The Bluehorses x2, plus coutless artists / bands at festivals.  Our next gig is The Oysterband again at Exeter University Feb 24th, unless of course something else pops up in the meantime!

 

 
Make 2006 The Year Of The Bluehorses
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Points: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2006 at 03:38
At last, the Commercial; Winter Holiday, previously known as; Christmas was behind us, and Saturday January 14th had arrived. So we packed out our beloved motor home, the usual 6 bottles of wine, a gorgeous home made lasagne for tonight’s dinner, with some garlic bread, also breakfast, of bacon, sausages mushrooms and eggs for the morning, a change of clothes, and nice thick duvet, as we planned to stay over-night in The Wharf car park.

So our 4 cats taken care of, what a blessing to have some nice neighbours, we set off across country, and joined the A30, and then onto the A389 towards Tavistock, travelling through some beautiful Devon Mooreland countryside. Never having been to The Wharf before, and never having been to Tavistock via this route, we were unsure as to how long our journey would last. We were surprised that The Wharf was only 38 ½ miles from door to door, and parked up right outside the entrance only about an hour after leaving home.

We arrived about 2.30 pm, so plenty of time to look around Tavistock, & purchase a new film for the camera, but we needed a cup of tea first. So with the gas on in the van, keeping the wine well chilled for later, we nipped into The Wharf café for said liquid refreshment to save a bit of time, and then made our way into the market town of Tavistock, saying hello to Jay & Mrs Jay, who had just arrived. We finally found an outlet to purchase our film, and didn’t think too much of what else was on offer in Tavistock, so made our way back to the motor home to warm up, and warm up our dinner, and crack open the first bottle of wine.

So dinner down our necks and 2 bottles of wine drunk, a quick change of clothes, and we were off to get our tickets and get a well deserved glass of wine from the now finally open bar at 7 pm. The venue was now starting to fill up nicely, and the atmosphere was so thick with anticipation you could have cut it with a knife!

8 pm and the doors finally open, a mad rush for the hall, so we made our way to the now less crowded bar for another deserved glass of wine. Ambled our way into the hall to have a quick look at the merchandise stand, still no dvd for sell, so watched 5 minutes of the dvd trailer playing in the auditorium. The dvd looks fantastic, so save us a copy please! but by now our glasses were emptying rapidly, and as the bar was once again awash with punters, we made our way back to our motor home and refreshed our glasses from our fridge!

Another quick look around the auditorium, another glimpse of the dvd trailer, and back to the bar for another deserved glass of wine. We were then approached; by not one, but two strange looking guys! We were trapped, no way out via the bar,....... too crowded, couldn’t get out via the exit,........ too many late comers barring our escape! We need not have panicked though, or should we have? It was only Andy & Mike coming to say hello, as they had recognised us through Mark’s multi-coloured cowboy hat. Pleasantries exchanged etc… Mike & Andy made their way back stage ready for the off, 10 minutes to go, bar heaving, so back to the motor home to top up our glasses.

Straight into the auditorium, just in time to make our way down to the front, as the Mighty Bluehorses took to the stage! The worry that only about 50 punters would turn up, so close to Christmas, in a Devon; fed on commercial pap 24hrs a day, 7 days a week; well behind us; as behind and to the side of us, 200 plus eager fans, old and new, and with an age range from about 7 – 70 yrs, ready to dance the night away.

From the off The Bluehorses did Tavistock, Devon, and the world of music proud. From that instant, you were glad you were a Bluehorses fan, and glad you had made the effort on a cold winters night, to turn off your TV’s; leave that lovely warm comfortable fire, and come to the Wharf, and witness an awesome band......... LIVE!

Opening number was the wonderful instrumental Cabbage Train, the months of practise shone through; as the mighty rhythm section, of drummer extraordinaire Nic, & bass playing nephew Nathan, kept this complex tune pounding along like a galloping steed, whilst the lead guitar of Jay; & ferocious fiddle playing skills of Lizzie, held the audience captive at an entirely different race course. How to be in two places at one time? Great music! That’s how! (Merlin, 2006)

Witches In Wedlock, one of our favourite Bluehorses tracks quickly followed, and by the reaction of the already dancing crowd, a Bluehorses favourite amongst the others too. Ok I’m sorry my hands didn’t go up during this, hands up and count 1, 2, and 3 number, but having one hand full with a camera, and the other with a goddess, you try it!

The Dark, Black Leg Minor followed the banter of the hello’s to Tavistock; and God’s County of Devon, this great traditional song, done in the Bluehorses own impeccable style maintained the pace, like the last furlong of The Derby.

Cooling things down nicely, with the race to captivate the audience already won, and the jockey looking over his shoulder at the also rans. Time for something completely different, first appearance on stage for the electric harp; and Mr Stage Crew, & Techno Wizzo, Stan’s The Man, for Gravel Walk, dreamy. (mmm……………………… The tune, not Stan! O hum!)

Before the dream of Stan became a nightmare, Black Is The Colour rocked us all back to reality. Quick quiet plea of guilty as charged here to loving this track for all the right reasons. Black Is the colour of MY TRUE LOVES HAIR! Mad Tom was next up. We told the door-staff not to let that village idiot in! He did have a wicked disguise though ,… to be fair,…. to the door-staff……, the tune is full of notes, and chords and other wicked musical things, don’t think they were quite ready for that! Mad Tom was quickly followed by some embarrassed door –staff, no, the rocking instrumental Ostara / Morrisons jig, don’t know why bands especially folk bands have to do that, so time consuming title / title why didn’t they just call this one, Some Greek Birds Dance With A Supermarket Chain?...... Too commercial???? Yeh! Too commercial!

Well the band must have read the audiences mind! Look we’re quite a bit tired now, what with all that crimbo shopping, the New Year thing, back to work after nearly two weeks of being me, myself I! We would love a rest and MY WINE GLASS IS EMPTY looks of despair on our hot sweaty faces! They walked off promising to be back in twenty minutes, panic! Only twenty minutes, look at the bar! Heaving already, and who said we Devonians were slow! You’ve never seen a bar fill up so quickly! 1 exhausted Devonian! bar quite empty, 200 exhausted Devonians, it’ll take us twenty minutes to get out of the hall, or if we go the back way around, or indeed around the back, we can be back at the motor home, glasses re-filled before the band can sit down and say I think we’ve won them over! not necc in that order!

Part 2 is much shorter we promise…………………………………………………………..

Or stay tuned for the next enstalment of, 24 Hours In The Life Of Two Bluehorses Nutters! 0r 24IT / LOT / BN We also do quit like The Bluehorses!
Make 2006 The Year Of The Bluehorses
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