Thursday 20th September - Poetry And Music - ThisisUll At Babylon Bar, Cleethorpes (2/2) By Michelle Dee

(1/2), (2/2),

Photograph Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4.

Next on stage was the first set from Broadsword. I notice the mando player is wearing a horned hat. They open with The Waterboys, Fisherman's Blues a popular choice that gives us the first chance to marvel at the top end thrills on mandolin. Then it's an Irish war protest song Johnny I hardly knew ya; funny we should be kicking up our heels, while those good strong boys fallen in battle, are pushing up daisies.

Broadsword is bound to go down sweet as Irish Whisky at Durty Nellys in Hull. Every so often the trio slot in one of their own instrumental tunes. They show a good understanding of the folk genre incorporating trad. reels and jigs, both spirited and passion filled. Then another change of pace with Dixieland track by Steve Earle that conjures up the everglades and the bluegrass sound.

With another change of head gear, this time a tri-cornered pirate hat, they move back into familiar territory with a couple by The Levellers. Strong vocals and gutsy delivery, musically true to the original they really pick up a head of steam. I love the way each refrain is punctuated with a hand slap on the cymbal and a blast of harmonica too; marvellous stuff. The original tune, level 3 once again recreates that traditional folk feeling with rousing reels and jaunty jigs.

A lot of fun and I look forward to seeing them play in Hull very soon. Perhaps at Durty Nellys but they'd fare equally well at Stripped, Music Exchange with the Harri Watts Band (in fact I think that'd be an absolute winner) a folk oriented Sidekicks Lounge at Lamp and of course Music HQ at Tigers Lair.

After all that live stuff, Pete the Beat (Pete Shuttleworth) spins some more tunes and we await the return of Jane Foster to the stage. She proves she hasn't lost any of her wit and charm as she delivers her fond look back at the Seventies in a poem of the same name. I was next and did a ten minute set of poems; personal, political and perhaps poignant. Can't review myself so I'll move swiftly on to Joe.

Well what can you say about this guy? He really is the genuine article, brimming with confidence, "I'm all over it..." he remarks which has become something of a catchphrase for the evening. Picking up the mic, like it's the most natural thing in the world, he's away with Crystal. This one a tragic tale of a lost girl; a lost soul with no future and no dreams of redemption, hold's the audience in their seats.

He then stuns the crowd with Available On Demand even the rather large blokes propping up the bar, who look like they've never seen a guy doing poetry in their local before can't take their eyes of our Joe. Adding a Cleethorpes locale in Two Cops In A Subaru he involves the ever-growing crowd and has them right there until the last.

After the last poem Joe gets deserved applause and Arthur (the organiser) is already trying to book us all for a return gig. We have to leave before the last song by Broadsword so we say farewell to the strangely be-hatted ones, but just before I go I catch sight of the percussionist, now sporting a Wee Willie Winkie night cap. Time for bed, but not before sampling some local cuisine, at the take away across the street.

Photograph Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4.

Joe Hakim - Albert Hoffman's Bicycle http://www.youtube.com/thisisUll

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