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Merry May Music


Summer finally seems to be on its way, along with 2 excellent shows in a week! Another first on Tuesday 19th - a concert in the Cardiff University School of Music's hall. Originally booked as a 'why not' kind of thing, the recital by Emma Johnson (clarinet) and Pascal Rogé (piano) was very interesting.

The set (courtesy of the CUSM website):
Weber – Sylvana Variations
Debussy – Rhapsodie
Brahms – Sonata op. 120 no. 1 in F minor
Bernstein – Sonata
Stravinsky – Three pieces for clarinet solo
Debussy – La Cathedrale Engloutie (from Preludes Book 1)
Aaron Copland – Nocturne
Milhaud – Scaramouche Suite

Personal favourites from the evening, both Debussy pieces and the encores, which were Debussy's 'la fille au cheveux de lin' and a Benny Goodman solo (not sure which) on the clarinet. The hall was fairly full and show well received, so all in all a good warm up for the duo's later concert at Cadogan Hall, London on 28th May.

Back to something a little more typical (but not that much!). Saturday 23rd M and I ventured to Clwb Ifor Bach to see Marc Riley recommended band Woodpigeon. Possibly a first for the Clwb, all 3 bands (there were 2 supports) were excellent and the place was definitely not empty! Local band Hail!The Planes were up first, very interesting and would recommend them. Main support from The Loose Salute (something of a motley bunch, apparently!), whose Americana (and possibly Seasick Steve - check the John Deere hat) set was also very well received, so much that I purchased their 2007 album Tuned to Love.



Calgary-based Woodpigeon had a fair amount to match, then, and they certainly did so in style. Interesting point to note, they had no drum kit (only 1 drum for use in some songs) and the 4 members present played a mix of clarinet, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, ukelele and cello. From the sleeve notes of new album Treasury Library Canada it seems that its a tour of a select few of the band as their list of members is much longer! Quite a lo-fi sound (such that one of the Clwb staff had put a sign on the door, 'no talking during the quiet bits'!) but lots of catchy melodies and an inspired cover of Abba's Lay All Your Love On Me! In a small way they reminded me of Fleetfoxes (but much much better) and also of Sigur Rós, Amiina and other northerly bands. In short, not a dud in the 3 and would see all of them again.



Summer off to a good start - and the sun is still shining!
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