Venue:
Bucks Uni Students Union, High Wycombe
Date: 08/04/2018
Just back from an afternoon at The Ramblin’ Roots Revue, a 3 day festival of Americana and roots music that gets better every year. I went to see Bennett Wilson Poole but saw that The Arlenes were on a couple of slots earlier, and got there just as they started their set. I only have a few of their songs, all courtesy of my friend Des who sadly passed away 3 weeks ago and who’s funeral is tomorrow. When they played Springboard I shed a quiet tear. Magical.
Next up were The Raging Beauties, a 6-piece which includes Robin Bennett from The Dreaming Spires, who also happens to be the “Bennett” in the band I’ve come to see. They were terrific, doing several songs by the late Bap Kennedy that they have recorded for a new EP. Great harmonies and a black and white Rickenbacker, what more do you want?
Bennett Wilson Poole are the aforementioned Robin Bennett, Danny ‘Champ’ Wilson from Danny & The Champions of the World and the astonishingly good Tony Poole. I last saw Tony play with Starry Eyed & Laughing at a free festival in 1974. I’ve never forgotten it and am convinced that my love of jangly guitars and harmonies was born that sunny afternoon.
The BWP album landed 2 days ago and has been on repeat ever since. It will be Americana album of the year, it is that good. They have only got a handful of gigs under their belt but you wouldn’t know it. The sound is immediately tight, the harmonies pin sharp, on the terrific opener, Soon Enough. All three of them, plus Robin’s brother on bass and F.Scott Vincent (who Tony later describes as ‘the greatest drummer I’ve ever seen’) on drums, say they are having the time of their lives on stage and that is plain to see. All five of them sing harmonies and the three front men swap lead vocals. But it’s the songs, the songs, the songs. The delicious Ask Me Anything, the delicate Hide Behind The Smile and the cheery Mr Wilson’s General Store are all great songs and are delivered perfectly. Tony introduces the dramatic Hate Won’t Win, saying that the song woke him up, in his head, the morning after Jo Cox’s murder. It is a brilliant song. They close their 50 minute set with the staggeringly good Lifeboat, Robin & Danny swapping to electric guitars and trading solos with Tony. It is a fantastic end to a majestic gig.
If BWP come to a venue near you, beg, borrow or steal a ticket. They are absolutely terrific and will renew anyone’s love of live music.
The audience:
A good mix of crusty old fogeys like me, some students and a few kids. And no one talking during the songs.
It made me think..
Tony Poole is an amazing musician. That 12 string Ricky is an extension of his body and he conjures beautiful sounds from it. The two younger guys out front kept saying in between songs, “Fuckin’ hell, Tony Poole!”
nogbad says
I’m bare jealous fam !
I caught their second gig,but just as a trio at Daylight Music and spent an age exhausting Tony’s patience with my reminiscences of the Starry Eyed shows with Kevin Coyne in 1473.
Their half hour show then was fab and awash with melody chipped in from each of the band.
The album has been correctly diagnosed as a minor gem and already a highlight of the year.
Yes, the current audience might be bus pass central,but I’m sure the songs will transcend that, in fact I’d bet my pension on it !
Glad you enjoyed them NB and here’s to them soundtracking a groovy Summer .
Afterworms who enjoy a string driven thing will love the band.
PS they also include the word unscrupulous within the lyrics.
Surely no further recommendations needed
niallb says
Next time they’re in London, if you’re at home, we’re going.
bang em in bingham says
Grand review…just heard the album….wonderful stuff..thanks for the heads up
nogbad says
We don’t agree about much… actually we do agree about nearly everything..but yes,it has to be done.
Plus did the Arlenes do Stuck on Love ?
I remember big Steve opening a number of Come down and Meet the Folks shows with that particular toe tapper.
niallb says
They did!
Baron Harkonnen says
Thanks for the review @niallb. We will definitely be going if they play within 50 miles. I’d forgotten about this album, that’s been rectified and the order put in.
Carl says
The Arlenes are back!?!?
A few years back I saw their “last” gig, also at Come On Down And Meet The Folks.
It was a shock to all of us there. Steve was basically sick of the struggle of trying to make a living, never mind making it big, and was starting a job on the 9 to 5, and interest in music was going to be limited to activity on the fringes, like radio work.
So I’m extremely pleased to see that they are playing music again.
I only found out about the existence of BWP last week and will be looking out for them. I’ve listened to a couple of things on YouTube and they sound just up my street.
retropath2 says
I remember I caught the Arlenes on their last gig before they emigrated to the U.S. (or went back, apropos Mrs A.) However she was busy having a baby, so it was a solo show. It wasn’t as good as the recordI gather they returned fairly shortly.
SteveT says
The album arrived on Friday- I love it – definite csny influences in places but song writing and singing top quality.
Would love to see them live if they make it out to the provinces.
Carl says
@niallb and @SteveT there is a date set up for 8th June at Water Rats, London (it’s on Grans Inn Road, not far from Kings Cross.
niallb says
Just snaffled a ticket, thanks. Only 45 tkts left.
Carl says
It’s a very small venue. That probably just means that five tickets were already sold.
SteveT says
It’s a right bugger but it’s the day before a early morning departure to Croatia. Hope they will add more dates in response to the positive reception for the album.
retropath2 says
I’m up for their trip to the centre of the universe and it’s environs.
(WS7 etc but I will accept B14 and thereabout.)
Neil Jung says
Hmmm. Interesting. Ive got a Starry Eyed etc lp. Tony Poole. What’s he been doing the last 40 years or so?
niallb says
Playing a bit but mostly producing. He looks so happy to be back on a stage, with his pal ‘Ricky’.