The last part of BBC4’s excellent ‘Folk Britannia’ highlighted the traditional folk music communities distrust of the new weird folk produced by the likes of James Yorkston, Adem and our host for tonight, Kenny Anderson , AKA the mighty KING CREOSOTE.
Of course reactionary attitudes are nothing new in the folk scene (ask Bob Dylan) - just a little dispiriting. Much as I love the mysterious, traditional music of Martin Carthy et al, surely there is room for experimentation in what is, thankfully, a resurgent scene.
In the aforementioned programme, Eliza Carthy said ‘Folk music isn’t ego-music’. Well, you can say what you like about M CRAFT, but you can’t accuse him of being egotistical - he continually asks for the spotlight to be taken off him. Perhaps it’s to do with a confidence in the music itself and in the abilities of his band, a confidence that isn’t misplaced judging by what is on offer tonight - deep, well-crafted songs that take in a variety of styles from haunting Appalachian mountain music to warm, trippy Bossa Nova.
Part way through a great set, my new favourite Australian ex-pat proves he has the Midas touch by transforming Fine Young Cannibal’s ‘She drives me crazy’ from mediocre eighties pop into a Velvets-tinged slow-burning tale of obsession.
Following the success of Fence mates James Yorkston and KT Tunstall, things seem to be finally taking off for King Creosote and there is palpable excitement amongst the often jaded Night and Day crowd as Kenny and pals make their entrance.
I have to admit to being a little disappointed that none of The Earlies (who provided sterling back-up on ‘KC Rules OK‘) are in evidence tonight, but King Creosote’s tour band provide more than adequate compensation.
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Indeed, whilst the set is book-ended by self-accompanied acoustic Creosote, for the most part it is a band thing, with the similarly strangely monikered The Pictish Trail on guitar, synths and theremin, Le Baron Rouge on bass and On The Fly on drums.
‘Space’ from ‘Kenny and Beth’s Musakal Boat Rides’ sounds fantastic - intensely mystical and moving with King Creosote’s accordion reminding me of the criminally ignored A Hawk and a Hacksaw. It’s one of those songs that you wish would last forever, and fortunately it nearly does.
‘KC Rules OK’ understandably dominates tonight‘s setlist, which is no bad thing. Amongst an embarrassment of sonic riches, the chirpy realism of ‘Bootprints’ and the mournful beauty of ‘Not one bit ashamed’ stand out.
At one point, In what may or may not be a good-natured dig at Ms Tunstall’s live sampling shenanigans, Kenny plays a guitar part, tells us that it’s the loop and we’ll have to remember it because he hadn’t brought the requisite pedal. He might just have forgotten it, I supppose.
My only minor gripe is that, like all great gigs, it was over too soon. And with 20+ albums already under his belt, King Creosote could have played for days. After years of hyper-productive obscurity, Kenny and his gang seem surprised and grateful to attract a decent-sized, attentive audience. They deserve nothing less and much, much more.
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