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Posted by Mike Jessop
on March 23, 2009, 10:24 am
217.206.230.2
Billy and Tom Mitchell at Davy Lamp Folk Club , Saturday 21st March 2009:
"Like Father, Like Son"
Having played Davy Lamp as his first "solo" gig after Lindisfarne , Billy again chose the familiar ground in Washington to re-emerge following his recent enforced absence. His return with son Tom in tow, proved another fine night , with some welcome variations in material, some nice keyboards and harmonies- and a delight to see Billy back in usual fine humour. A prompt start with the regulars Backshift saw 5 tunes , each well performed , the best being the band contributions led by Eric , especially on the Tim Williams song about ageing. Kicking off, as ever , with Rocking Chair saw I felt an immediate presence of a practised pair - Billy and Tom , with fine vocal harmonies .Highlights of the first half were the choice of material , a solo spot from Billy and some magical guitar endings - those on Devils Ground and Collier Laddies Wife were exquisite. Toms leading of Randy Newmans Louisiana was superb and he informed us he had taught his dad the chords - we almost believed him ! The closing with 2 Rab Noakes songs was lovely and memories with Together Forever brought a loosening of vocal chords around the room . Guitarists in the room must have loved the instrumental introduction of Billy ahead of his female impersonation in Collier Laddies Wife. After a briefest of breaks for some Taylors Landlord and the usual raffle, second half started with a reduced presence of regulars with 3 performers , Michael Woods ' left handed blues pick being a joy to behold . Secong half with the Mitchells was superb and especially on three tunes - Mr Bojangles on two guitars and transposed up was excellently delivered - I was watching Billys fingerwork close by; Toms solo version of Alan Hulls Tynemouth Song ( tonight for a late friend Gillian ) brought shivers to the spine - such a great songwriter and delivered so well tonight ; then best of all a song Billy feels contains the greatest lyric line of all - Warren Zevans' Dirty Life and Times. The relaxed humour was well evident and the best moment came half way through.......... following a timely quip from Tom about the Washington audience , exiting Billy leant back to his mike and grinned out loudly "Like father, like son! " . Wonderful , sincere, fun. As well as a couple of songs brought back to the repertoire - such as Hull's Log on Your Fire from the News Album , and the notable change in the planned encore (from MMOTC) to The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down ( WHAT SINGING EMERGED HERE ! ) , much familiar material provided the mainstay of a popular night. Billys new sound both vocally and with Tom ably , and at times on keyboards , gave a melodic mix. My only dissapointment with the night was so many people bought Toms EP that they ran out and I missed out on one , also the set had to be reduced with tight timing , maybe at times even more time could be given over to the guest slot. Great to see and hear the man back - and if you were not there but do want to know the greatest lyric ever , get off your arse , get out and see these lads , great stuff as always.
Welcome back Billy , great night Tom ,
Mike Jessop
For the Anoraks like me !
1 = Rockin' Chair / Devils Ground / Walking Back To Blueberry Hill / Louisiana / Primrose Hill / Happy Birthday Dad / As I Watched The Tyne Go Bye...... Collier Laddies Wife / Dublin Take Me / Together Forever ::
2 = Pitman and The Blackin' / Ghost In Blue Suede Shoes / Mr Bojangles / Northern Sky / Tynemouth Song / Cant Do Right For Doing Wrong / Log On Your Fire / She Belongs To Me / Dirty Life And Times ................... The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down::
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