So last night I go to see the 16 legged beast that is Ella Guru.
However prior to my trip to the Masque I nip to the Pogue for a pint of the black stuff. I arrive as it's being delivered to this oasis of Irish culture (I've been into of the odd lunchtime only to find the odd resident of Chinatown supping and making the place feel like the set of Father Ted). Now part of my love affair with Guinness is the anticipation as you wait first for the pour, then for the pint to settle, so no barman I don't mind waiting five minutes while the barrel is tapped, that's right treat me cruel I'll enjoy the pint more. Half way through the pint I need a piss and then have to cast my mind back to my rudimentary Gaelic to remember that the gents is labeled 'Fir' not 'Mna'. Lovely pint in a place that is full of character and characters from the rapier thin hairy 'Yosser Hughes' like dude in the Liverpool shirt to a bunch of geezers bemoaning the disaster of pubs changing hands.
Then off to the Masque and doors ain't opened yet. No problem, I can have another pint safely so into the Masque Bar, all red paint and framed NME covers. This time I have a Murphy's a little sweet and not the best pour. But OK to read The Fly to. Eventually pin finished I head upstairs. It's a nice venue a too room affair and being a good boy I have a coke sat on a low orange plastic garden chair. The band filter through and John notices me and wanders over for a chat, which is nice. Apparently Leeds went well and things are happening fast for the band. John's fallen down the stairs and hurt his ankle. Now last time I saw Ella Guru he had a nasty cold, am I the jinx? I wander off enjoying the vibe of the calligraphy bearing the legends, Fender, Peavey and Marshall, all lit in blood red by the lighting rig. Yes I feel at home in this.
First up are Final Five who chug like a train, getting their unholy tunes right into your head. Nice bit of jangle and blues. I'm mightily amused by the geezer with a harp round his neck as he moves it to one side so it looks like some demented parrot perched on his shoulders. Anyway main thing is I'd be more than happy to listen to the geezers again.
Ella Guru take the stage delicately. They have to, with eight people on a tiny stage littered with equipment, speed is not available. This is a band who if your going away on holiday you want packing your case because they can create a veritable tardis out of a very small space. They also create a very compact sound, gentle, quiet and very beautiful. It washes over you, taking you to the edge where you think everything is going to cut loose and begin to get a little noisy, teasing you and then bringing the sound down a notch. It's hypnotic and lovely. Throughout there is much humour as John's capo buggers itself up, Kate has a puckish face and the most delightfully breathy vocal style that complements John's whispered vocals. Both they and the band giggle their way through the gig, a band at ease with themselves and having a good time, it's a beguiling sight indeed. Scott's pedal steel colours their soundscape and delight of delights for me is the bass section, bowed double bass and semi acoustic together it's a killer. Combine this with muted cornet, gentle keyboards and you've got a mix of sounds that you just want to bathe in. 'On a Boat' is special, 'Got My Mojo Working' nicely twisted and funny, 'On a Beach' a work of great beauty. 'Heroes of Folk' just makes me fall in love with the band and the encore 'Little Bobby Dylan' is great with the band nearly rocking out with it. There is a cracking album in this set list demanding to be made, here's hoping Ella Guru go away and make it (apologies to those Guru's I couldn't remember the name of, there are a load of you about and I think there maybe multiple Nicks, apologies if I got the titles of the songs wrong too).
Back home I listen to the single purchased for �3. It's a masterpiece, go and buy one.
