Nell Bryden with Katie and the Carnival @ Auntie Annies – 30/05/2010
June 6, 2010 No Comments
Nell Bryden and Andrew McConkey (C) Peter Stuart 2010
Katie and the Carnival are one of the most eccentric and wonderful local acts you’re likely to stumble across in random corners of Belfast’s music scene. Today, they’d just performed at the Waterfront’s children’s festival, leading their front-woman and founder, Katie Richardson, to declare after their opening track that they were all knackered.
And yet, despite all looking a little jaded, their performance was still extraordinary for such an eclectic bunch. Katie herself carries considerable stage presence, with a gutsy, powerful voice and deliciously creative control of both keyboard and guitar.
Add to this a double bassist, who looks like he’s constantly grooving and absorbed in his instrument, a crazy jack-of-all trades washboard/xylophone/maraca player, a guitarist who looks like the jazz version of John Frusciante (of Red hot Chili Peppers fame) and a drummer with two tufts of clown-like grey hair on both sides of his head.
Katie sharing smiles with Bassist, John Conway and guitarist, Conn Smyth (C) Peter Stuart 2010
You’re probably feeling a little shocked or maybe even put-off after reading that, but don’t be. Their songs, while eccentric and sounding like fairy tales with a gothic twist, are brimming with melody, charm and catchy rhythm.
There were Disney-esque ooh’s and aah’s as well as brooding dark lullabies, all performed richly and enthusiastically by the carnival. The audience loved every minute, especially when Katie declared that they loved Nell Bryden and a gentleman in the second row shouted back ,”We love you to!”
Katie responded to this with ironic appreciation, “Awww, this song’s dedicated to you! – It’s called Hide your face… but it’s a love song, so it’s OK!” It was impossible not to feel charmed by her easy sense-of-humour. The song was definitely one of the highlights of the set with its lush guitar opening and moving vocals. Other highlights included ‘I can’t get no sleep’, a stunning ballad and ‘These thoughts of mine” which brims with engaging insanity. Inventive is the word.
Nell Bryden certainly had one hell of an act to follow but she didn’t disappoint, strutting on stage in an eye-catching red dress, carrying a beautiful 1947 Gibson acoustic guitar. She burst into the opening song and title track of her new album, “What does it take” with exceptional gusto and energy.
Nell with her amazing 1947 Gibson (C) Peter Stuart 2010
While Nell didn’t have a carnival backing her (just an exceptionally talented bassist and drummer), she proved just as eclectic musically, producing blues, jazz and country, sometimes all in the same tune and all the time carrying an infectious beat that had the audience dancing in their seats the entire night.
Nell herself had an almost Elvis-like charisma, swinging her hips to the beat and pushing her voice to the limit. She often shared rockabilly style chemistry with her bassist as they played off each other (perhaps reminiscent of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a way)
While she can’t quite be compared to the 50s or 60s greats, her performance and music is clearly influenced by that era and what made her gig so good was that it catered for just about any taste, with a retro twist. The audience were very into her music, with one excitable member constantly pleading for Nell to play her emotionally charged single, “Not Like loving You”, and this was undoubtedly the highlight, with her exceptionally strong vocals filling the room and possibly even the entire of Belfast (Had there not been walls in the way!)
Overall, this was one of the most entertaining nights I’ve had in Auntie Annies, even with a small crowd and hopefully next time Nell comes to Northern Ireland, there’ll be more retro-music lovers turning out because she needs to be seen, not just heard, to be fully appreciated.
- The Editor