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'The Prince of Wales', Strood, 22
September 2006
Nine o’clock Friday
night; “The Prince of Wales”, Strood. In-fact, the
first time I’ve experienced that combination of time
and place, for more than thirty years! Why Now? Well
– to see if Medway’s “number one cranked up, punky
folk rock band” Ted Can't Hear Ya, are all they are
cracked-up to be – or more correctly – what their
lead guitarist/vocalist Paul Johnson keeps telling
me they are!
In fairness – I have
already prepared myself with their album “Just
Another Worker” – which gives a taster of their own
particular brand of folk/folk-rock songs and tunes;
but a line-up change in recent months, means that
the band you hear now, is significantly different to
the one on the CD. It’s not just the addition of the
fiddle – the whole band seems to have moved-up a
level musically, and although I hadn’t seen them
play before – I suspect that the ‘Ted’ you see now
is a good deal tighter than in their earlier
incarnation; expanding the possibilities, with the
addition of Tim Sumner on fiddle.
As to the gig; what
could probably be described as a modest audience
were at the “Prince of Wales” – added-to by a few
remaining participants in a wake that had been held
in the bar, earlier that day – to see ‘Ted’. What
did they get?
They got an excellent
couple of hours entertainment – a complete mix of
musical genres, delivered with enthusiasm, energy,
and above all, enjoyment – both within the band and
in the audience.
Highlights from the
set? All down to personal taste of course; but a few
at random:
Paul’s gritty “Shirt
of Blue” and emotional “By a River”; Lucy’s haunting
vocals on Christy Moore’s “Ride On”; Tim’s skilful
handling of the “Tam Lin Reel” within “Maid in the
Garrett; and Andy’s enthusiastic and solid drumming
throughout – not forgetting his own break from the
‘kit, to deliver some powerful vocals on “Cocaine
Blues”.
The set included
covers of such favourite bands as The Levellers,
Steeleye Span, Oysterband, Fairport
Convention, The Pogues and others – many “Trad. Arr. Ted…”, and just as importantly, a good few of
the band’s own numbers – all delivered in the ‘Ted’
way!
The only minor
down-side – the small audience. Don’t know why – but
I do know that there are an awful lot of people who
missed-out on a bloody good show!
‘Ted’ are back at the
“The Prince of Wales” again on Friday 15 December at
9PM – Admission Free – an amazing bargain! Why not
turn-off the telly, and try some real live
entertainment for a change?
John Tate |
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