K C Jones and Alchemista at Warwick Beer, Cider & Music Festival
ReviewAs you'll have read in my in my article about Matthew Mansfield (aka Matt Hernández) earlier this week, my intention had been to pop down to the Warwick Beer, Cider and Music Festival at Warwick Racecourse yesterday, catch "Hot Music Live Presents" featured artists K C Jones & Alchemista and chat with him about our joint desire to put on some new gigs to offer live opportunities for local original musicians.
That very sadly was not what came to pass, though I went nevertheless & saw the music I had anticipated, but processing the Matt shaped hole was no easier for me than it was anyone else.
It's still not easy to find adequate words, but talking with others and listening to music (especially as he'd set the event up), helped get a few ideas into better order.
It wasn't a tribute concert: it couldn't be given the fact that it was already programmed & had a different focus and above all because the vast majority of local original artists who had given online testimony as to their feelings & memories were not playing. I imagine that I am far from the only one wondering whether such an event might not be possible somewhere down the line, though even that could only hope to feature a fraction of those whose careers he had helped set in motion & had encouraged.
A couple of big credits first: to event organiser Jo Ward who quite apart from putting it all together under challenging circumstances also helped facilitate my attendance & hence this review.
Sound engineer Mick Davidson, Matt's close collaborator quite literally had two roles to fulfil: not easy at the best of time with swift stage turnarounds but under the circumstances of loss, well one can imagine. The sound was impeccable.
Karen & Colin Jones had come straight from their previous gig at Folk on the Farm on Anglesey (not a short drive) which tells you a lot about their commitment.
The K C Jones duo is a very flexible act: although (understandably) we at "Hot Music Live" tend to focus upon their roots folk side which includes both their own originals & those which Karen performs as a solo artist, they also have a lighter side: their "pop" set as she puts it. This was the more appropriate one yesterday: their darker material was best left for other times & other places.
It didn't really affect their playing though: we got a good run through of their range: complex for a duo with duets, harmonies, solo guitar, two guitars, guitar & harmonica all appearing to create variety thinly veiled by a pleasant sense of simplicity.
This is my first live review of Alchemista: I could only wish the circumstances were not quite as they were. In fact both bands did what Matt would have wanted & poured their heart and souls into fine, truthful performances where music took precedence over other feelings. That said, Caroline's tribute to him was both moving & spot on: and hence appreciated.
Sticking for the main part to "greatest hits" that we've reviewed in studio release form, the band also unveiled a new track, the gorgeous "Rose From the East" alongside favourites like "Summer's Healing Time", "Calico Jack" and "Like Danny DeVito". There was even a song about moths: shame Joe Wilson wasn't present for that one.
The song was not the only unveiling: the gig featured not just bass player Aaron Clews' live debut with Alchemista but his live debut full stop. Odd to have reported on two such milestones in one week (after that of Charlotte Faulconbridge at the Godiva Festival) but a privilege too.
Hitherto the band's sound engineer, Aaron fitted excellently into the sound: and again credit to Mick for weaving together multiple elements, each of which played crucial parts in the complex arrangements: the other strands being Colin Halliwell's drums, Peter Garelick's guitar, Paul Jayes' keyboards plus Caroline Luxton-White's lead vocals & occasional second keyboard. For completists, Paul & Peter swapped instruments for the finale "Jewels on an Ebony Sea" demonstrating versatility as well as virtuosity.
I'd contemplated recommending Alchemista to you as much for their live work as their recordings & that has come to pass: they are compelling live: their skill at realising sophisticated material is complemented by the warmth & humanity which they bring to playing: they clearly love their music and that is a characteristic of so many musicians to whom Matt introduced me.
So where do we go from here? I imagine that many readers will be wanting to attend Matt's funeral (details on the "Hot Music Live" Facebook page: please let his sister Sarah know if you are coming as the logistics are likely to be challenging). I normally like to leave the identity of dedicatees of upcoming volumes of "Hot Music Live Presents" under cover until release, but in this case, I guess most of you will not be too surprised that a really exciting & diverse new instalment will emerge in mid-August dedicated to Matt.
Warwick Beer, Cider & Music Festival had been an event close to his heart: he continued to work with them even when other commitments had limited his capacity to put on all his other regular events. I gather from Jo that finances are tight, as they are for so many similar enterprises, so I hope it continues to be held and under the aegis of someone with Matt's values.