Compared to Gateshead, the set list had a good game, in that the whole of the Boat To Bolivia album was actually played this time (according to John Steel, Martin had simply "forgotten" to play Running Water and Look Down, Look Down on Saturday night). Not in the original running order of course, that would be almost normal. In addition we heard Nancy, Slaughterman, Tremelo Men, Wholly Humble Heart, Me & Mathew, Home and Salutation Road (more on most of these later).
The social networking sites were on fire in the build up to this one, mostly due to the impending attendance at the gig of several of my family members and a number of hard core Martin Stephenson e-groupers. There was also a rumour that this lovely lady was a fan and might turn up...
...and as you can see, she did. She being actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, famous for her role as Coronation Street character Hayley Cropper.
The evening started (once pizza and beers had been consumed), with a brief set from singer-songwriter Eliza P, and a slightly longer one from Helen McCookerybook, setting the tone perfectly for the gig ahead.
Commencing with one of the great album openers Crocodile Cryer, (the attention to detail re the running order only starting to go pear-shaped later on), something seemed slightly amiss with the sound compared to Gateshead. Each instrument and Martin's voice were all crystal clear but somehow they didn't mix together properly, hence the result was a little clinical for the first three songs (through Coleen and Little Red Bottle). Also Martin seemed a little less than comfortable on the stage, unusually for him. This fan having seen him adapt to a wide variety of live environments over the years. However after a brief walkabout interlude to Tribute To The Late Rev Gary Davis, an absolutely belting version of A Piece Of The Cake, dedicated to Roddy Frame, seemed to coincide with Martin and the band relaxing and the various disparate elements of the sound clicking into place, and from here on in it was upwards and onwards.
Caroline, preceded by a story setting the context for this highly emotional song, and Slow Lovin', were the standouts from the remainder of the album, and the initial intensity reached a peak with Running Water and Look Down, Look Down, played back to back.
A word at this point for drummer Kate Stephenson. Now, it shouldn't be, but somehow it is, really difficult not to sound like a right sexist twat when talking about a female drummer. You know, "the lass can actually keep time and hit those big horrible animal skins as well as a bloke" blah, blah, blah. So hopefully with that out of the way I can make myself clear...the energy levels Kate drives the band to throughout the fast paced numbers is phenomenal, but equally wonderful is her sensitivity during the slower, quieter songs and, most importantly, she has her eyes fixed to Martin's body language to pick up on the slightest changes to tempo, volume, stops/starts etc. I really hope Kate and partner John continue their roles in the Daintees for many years to come. Their contributions to California Star have already been alluded to on this blog, but no harm in repeating that one. An excellent album by any measure.
So after a lovely story about his maternal Grandad, Mathew Carlton, Martin and the band pressed on with Me & Mathew, a vibrant Wholly Humble Heart, and a solo version of Home dedicated to Martin's late Mum, Frances. That album review (actually for the 2nd album Gladsome, Humour And Blue) by Len Brown of the NME all those years ago, really did nail it - "he...builds bridges between love and hate, between cradle and grave, between folk and pop, between the past and the present". At a time when writing about one's family history wasn't deemed to be particularly cool, Martin did just that, and thankfully he still is, putting a lot of things into perspective for an audience of 40 and 50-somethings, many of whom are rediscovering this wonderful music for the first time in nigh on a quarter of a century.
That is one thing that is making this Daintees tour more special than ever; the higher profile brought about by linking in with a major promoter for the first time in 20 years doesn't so far appear to have any down-side to it. The bigger venues are pulling in the forgotten fans as well as the die-hards, and hopefully this means Martin and the band will get something close to their fair share of the attention and plaudits "we" all know they deserve, without any of the horrible business elements in this most horrible of industries, ruining things.
Before we knew it the best part of two hours had passed and Martin and the band, supplemented by the Girl Power of Helen and Eliza, took off on the customary walkabout to Salutation Road, finishing up in the bar and very naturally just slipping into relaxed conversations, photos and such-like with the fans. That complete lack of "we are the stars, you are the audience" is a truly great and unique thing about these people. They love the playing and they love the people they play to.
Oh and that daft Daintees v Hull City thing? 2-1 to the behatted one and his gang.
We roll on to Watford and Brighton on Saturday. If everything goes according to plan then expect a rather emotional Part 4, sometime very late on Sunday.
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