Recommended by Denzil Monk to catch this band which Gwenno leads - a Welsh singer who sings in Cornish and prides herself on growing up on the songs of Brenda Wootton (good). The music was very different from what I expected being a sort of prog rock, psychodelia event (helped by projected mesmerising graphics on to rear screen which lent an acid trip feel to parts of the evening) - atomised abstract patterns a la Bridget Riley on screen cut with archive film and kaleidoscopic patterns. Unlike Brenda who had a high supple voice, Gwenno has an alto tessitura which makes it difficult for he to rise above the instrumental accompaniment and she is less secure in the upper register. The sound is dominated by an electroic synth vibe. She is a striking tall chanteuse of the Ute Lemper groomed and svelte style.
Her songs are interesting taking such pictorial themes for lyrics as Peter Lanyon's mine paintings (now thank god two of his masterpieces on display in the newly hung Tate Gallery in St Ives - worth a visit just to see his paintings), the traffic on the A30 glinting in the sun, the canyons of Cornish mines, the final day of the robots, Georges Sylvain (Haitian poet)
As she is tall she stoops a bit when tied to the synth keyboard. But when released from the keyboard and takes up a tambourine she moves well (though she could do with a mobile or radio mic) . She was extremely well supported by rhythm section, guitar and second keyboardist. And hats off to Carey Davies for the subtle balance engineering he navigated for the band on stage....he's a Cornish diamond of a live sound mixer on minimal get in times.
The support band did not introduce themselves so I am still in complete ignorance of who they were. They sang in Cornish and English, thought everyone in the audience was a Cornish speaking beardie and would know them and identified with Mebyon Kernow. Decent sax playing, indifferent bass sound and male lead vocalist and guitarist was inaudible lyrically singing over banal anthemic monochrome sound. Female flautist in sequin mini and purple tights with orange splodges set the grunge-like fashion tone - identiying with tree people alternative type that is Cornwall's default folk scene. Loads of beards on stage and in the audience - but it was a youngish and diverse crowd - and a good vibe...well done the Poly
Her songs are interesting taking such pictorial themes for lyrics as Peter Lanyon's mine paintings (now thank god two of his masterpieces on display in the newly hung Tate Gallery in St Ives - worth a visit just to see his paintings), the traffic on the A30 glinting in the sun, the canyons of Cornish mines, the final day of the robots, Georges Sylvain (Haitian poet)
As she is tall she stoops a bit when tied to the synth keyboard. But when released from the keyboard and takes up a tambourine she moves well (though she could do with a mobile or radio mic) . She was extremely well supported by rhythm section, guitar and second keyboardist. And hats off to Carey Davies for the subtle balance engineering he navigated for the band on stage....he's a Cornish diamond of a live sound mixer on minimal get in times.
The support band did not introduce themselves so I am still in complete ignorance of who they were. They sang in Cornish and English, thought everyone in the audience was a Cornish speaking beardie and would know them and identified with Mebyon Kernow. Decent sax playing, indifferent bass sound and male lead vocalist and guitarist was inaudible lyrically singing over banal anthemic monochrome sound. Female flautist in sequin mini and purple tights with orange splodges set the grunge-like fashion tone - identiying with tree people alternative type that is Cornwall's default folk scene. Loads of beards on stage and in the audience - but it was a youngish and diverse crowd - and a good vibe...well done the Poly
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