Hove Folk Club

Al Baker : 2nd July 2010

Wow. What a night. This was definitely one of the best evenings at the folk club in a while. It was a balmy evening, a good crowd packed in, and the music was amazingly entertaining from start to finish. There was a great atmosphere, and everyone seemed to be in fine form and doing something pretty special, floor performers and main act Al Baker alike.

The most commonly-heard phrase among the floor performers was definitely, “How am I going to follow that?” and there was certainly a lot to live up to. We had songs that honestly made you laugh, songs that got you deep in the soul, songs to get everyone joining in with a singalong… It’s hard to pick anyone out, but a definite highlight was the duo whose names I’m ashamed to say I didn’t quite get – I think the lady was called Trisha and the chap was called Spong; they played amazingly well on concertina, mandola (I think) and fiddle, and offered a fantastic mix of covers, traditional songs and original pieces that were both hilarious and beautiful. I really hope they come again soon – and I promise if they do I’ll get their names right.

Songs decrying the Emergency Budget were a common theme for the whole night, too, and while it’s almost unfair to select one, I think the prize has to go to Mike and Reina Reinstein and their sublime “You’re Not Going On A Summer Holiday,” which had almost everyone there corpsed with laughter.

And as for Al Baker himself… I’d seen him before with his band and was really looking forward to catching him again and hearing what he’s like solo – his songs are wonderful, full of excitement, punch, and great lyrical and melodic hooks, and capable of balancing stark social outrage with wry laughs about human failings. Plus he’s that rare thing: a young, lefty musician who actually makes really good music as well as the politics. And I’m thoroughly, thoroughly glad I saw him tonight. From his first couple of numbers he set the tone for the whole rest of the evening – easy-going and comfortable, but packing each song with an effortless energy and emotional intensity while still always being fun. Honestly funny, too, and a thoroughly decent human being and very happy to share the limelight – he lead us into a perfect end to the evening by inviting anyone who felt like it to jam along with him on some classic American folk songs. A pleasure to have seen him. It’s only a shame he mainly plays in the North, but I’ll look forward to him coming down here again.

A good night. Thanks millions to all involved.

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