I never got to see The Bluebells during their heyday but I’m not sure why as I was a big fan of their records. This gig however, being only a 15 minute drive away, an early evening show on a Sunday after a busy weekend, and presented/hosted by the ever enthusiastic and engaging Gary Crowley meant it was a no-brainer.
The evening started with a Q and A session, which was very entertaining, the band being full of early 80s anecdotes, both poignant and funny, catnip to an older chap like me and lots of similar others present, who unsurprisingly made up the majority of this appreciative crowd.
I like The Exchange. Pryzm in nearby Kingston is good as well. We’re lucky in this area, having a couple of great local venues who do small shows with early start times, meaning you can be home to put the kettle on and wind down with a bit of TV before bed. Back to the band…The Bluebells were always much more than the Young At Heart one hit wonders that many perceive them to be, and we got a lovely acoustic set peppered with the likes of Cath, I’m Falling and others from 85’s cracking “Sisters” album, with earlier pre-album tunes and songs from 2023’s excellent new album “In The 21st Century,” an underrated and somewhat overlooked corker. You forget what terrific harmonies The Bluebells can do and this stripped back performance showed them off to the full. I love harmonies, and this band are easily up there with the best. The inevitable finale of Young At Heart was the expected full singalong, and great fun with it. An encore of ” Todd Rundgren’s I Saw The Light was an i interesting choice of cover but it suited them well.
This was a really fun and good vibes evening. The Bluebells have another new album out next year and if you’ve ever liked anything by them you should go and see them live.
The Bluebells, at The Exchange, Twickenham
Perhaps surprisingly, I *did* see them live at the time – at a small open-air festival on a cliff at Portrush in the early to mid 80s.
‘I’m Falling’ was one of my absolute favourite 80s singles. I think it’s actually a perfectly crafted pop song, completely faultless from beginning to end, a beautiful intro,
You’re sweating now
But wait till the winter comes around
It won’t be sweat
That pours from your brow
Just the cold tears of the hard driven rain
An insistently catchy chorus, then sealed off with a repeated couplet ending.
It’s one of my all time favourite songs. I’m not embarrassed to admit I had something in my eye when they played it last night.
I’ve never heard (or heard of) I’m Falling before. Just listened. What a great song.
It’s worth sharing for all to enjoy
Anyone in doubt around the importance of Bobby Valentino’s fiddle riff to Young At Heart, might like to hear the version without, by Siobhan Fahy’s then band, Bananarama. She and Bobby Bluebell wrote it together.
Lest that sound snarky, I too am enormously fond their short window of fame, the first album and singles all cracking stuff. Aside from Bobby Bluebell, it was the McCluskey brothers who were the main force of the band, whose brand of politicised folk never quite took off, after the initial demise of the Bluebells.
I really like the first two ‘Nana LPs, and the singles they did with the FB3. Cruel Summer can still fill a dance floor.
SAW got involved from the third album (Venus, etc) and it all went a bit pants.
Cruel Summer is such a banger.
They were great weren’t they? Terrific singles band, but one of my favourites is Boy Trouble from their first album.
I’m glad it was a good night. I only received the “forthcoming attractions” email on Thursday & other stuff distracted me. The Exchange is only a bus ride away & the Hampton hub within walking distance – so will probably catch you sometime.
I remember one of the brothers was very enamoured with Clare Grogan (weren’t we all) & they knew each other from hanging around in Glasgow.
I know the Hub in Hampton well, and yes I should have mentioned it alongside the others. Part of the Q and A revealed that Robert Hodgens/Bobby Bluebell went out with Siobhan from Bananarama. Well played Sir!