Dave Paskell ventures over to Leeds on a freezing cold night and takes refuge in the bar of the Leeds Irish Centre with a couple of pints of guiness whilst he waits for the doors to open for the Imagined Village and a night of traditional English folk, political song and a Slade cover version. Here's how it all went...
Its been quite a few years since I have been to Leeds and even longer since I've been to a gig there. Tonight it's the Imagined Village, touring their new album Empire and Love, the doors are open and I follow the freezing masses into the venue.
The support slot was admirably filled by Chris Wood who entertained us all with his skillful musicianship and humour. There were a number of stand out songs for me beginning with,'Grand Correction', a song about the credit crunch and being self sufficient and of course about the wise sages those bankers! God help us if they were in charge of food production!
Other subjects for songs include a love song for old gits, his words not mine, those in semi retirement, as he says most love songs are from a young perspective hmm! Then 'Spitfires', a great song and I could say so much more on this song but as the subject comes up later I won't. I will however, give you a clue, its concerns the odious BNP. The song was delivered with passion - Folk Against Fasicsm indeed ! Not forgetting the one about him not passing his eleven plus. He told us the song was a thank you to some one who helped him to improve his job prospects. His friend has done a good job by the looks of it. The last song was in part about the shooting
of Jean Charles de Menezes, it is a very subtle yet powerful song.
"their new album Empire and Love is stunning but live its awesome!!"
Now the main event the Imagined Village. A very atmospheric start, playing to a capacity crowd. Sitar and electronics meld with double bass and fiddle Sheema Mukherjee sitar sends shivers down my spine on this rendition of 'Sweet Jane', and on we the go to the next
song, its very tight, they play with such conviction 'John Barleycorn Must Die' goes down very well. Next up a tune in 8/9 as Martin Carthy explains and Simon Emmerson adds that its hard to play in. I reckon it
is but they all do it so very well. 'Biker Hill' sounds great live I must say that they sound so much better
live, their new album Empire and Love is stunning but live its awesome!!
"in the hands of the Imagined Village its a jazz, folk, extra-terrestrial extravaganza"
Next a favourite song of mine 'Space Girl', a quirky number if there ever was one, written by Ewan MacColl and in the hands of the Imagined Village its a jazz, folk, extra-terrestrial extravaganza. Eliza’s vocals telling us this plainly potty story. I love it to bits! We are treated to song after song of excellence, the asides from the band are very funny,they are going down a storm, although Eliza recounts that she has a fan she could do without. One she has in common with Kate Rusby, a certain Mr Griffin. He of the BNP, the band make their feelings plain as many of the audience there do tonight, I don’t think I need to elaborate expect to say one word to him and his racist agenda ! Folk for all folk!
Next up is 'Scarborough Fair' with the audience singing the words along with the band, each member of the band tonight plays their hearts out and it does not go unnoticed. More great song's and another favourite of mine, 'The Mermaid' followed by 'The Hand Weaver and the Factory Maid'.
The villagers then leave the stage leaving Martin Carthy alone on the stage with his rendition of 'Cum On Feel the Noize', which has so much more meaning the way he delivers it. I have heard the song many times by Slade I like the song but I had never paid close attention to the lyrics the band join him, fantastic, I wonder what Slade fans make of it?
Long may this village imagine and dare to dream. Traditional English folk still evolving and inclusive! A great night courtesy of Simon Emmerson, Sheema Mukherjee, Andy Gangadeen, Ali Friend, Martin and
Eliza Carthy Simon Richmond, Chris Wood, Barney Morse Brown, Johnny Kalsi.
Dave Paskell January 2010.
