TALES FROM THE BLUE COCOONS

I dunno....it may be slightly fewer bands....and as all the Canterbury bands claim, it was never a conscious scene...but I always thought there should be a defined 'Welsh Scene' that tended to radiate from Man usually. It has a definite sound and vibe ....and guess what, it is exemplified on this second and final album from Neutrons.

The jamming stoned feel reeks of patchouli and other substances. The good time hippy groove of the opener here No More Straights is infused by Mans C'Mon (with past and future Maners Phil Ryan and Will Youatt on board are we surprised...oh and see just like the Canterbury Scene, revolving door band members!) and guitar interplay throughout is very Jones/Leonard. I have to be honest, I find Caromay Dixons vocals a bit fey and folky and they don't quite work for me. The keys intro to The Jam Eaters is top draw prog but it then flows into the Welsh Scenes (did you see what I did there?) laid back atypical 'which band is it' style. Welsh R Blunt gives the 3 main players chance to shine and you even hear slight hints of Steely Dan.

All in all a Sunday afternoon at the Roundhouse 3rd of a 5 band UA/Welsh Scene bill. And all the better for that too!