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The Green Ray – Live Friday (for a pleasant change) 12th December 2008
“More than Healthily” attended The Plough, Wood Strret
“More than ably” supported by Malcolm Morley
(No, your eyes do not deceive you – and neither would your ears !)
Well, Santa’s Little Helpers made an early seasonal delivery over Wood Street last Friday evening. And it would be a churlish, heartless soul that wouldn’t have left the venue smiling and feeling just a little warmer in their heart after three hours of great entertainment for the princely sum of a Fiver !
To do justice to the “Bill o’ Fare” this may well turn out to be two reviews in one – there will be no glossing over the efforts of the Support Artiste – who, in all honesty, really shared the bill. How gracious, and not without sentiment, that The Ray should invite Malcolm along for another slot to build on his October “début”. Could the time be right and ripe for a re-appraisal of the talent that Morley still remains ? Sir Cliff reckons he’s an enigma – absolute “tosh”, the Man’s a “mere apprentice” compared with our beloved Malc ! One further piece of background info – as already alluded to, the Room was “standing room only” at the back – and if you want any further evidence of the interest and respect that this dual billing can attract – step forward the lady who had travelled from Denmark and hadn’t seen Malcolm for 38 years!
Malcolm takes to the now “rail-less” stage behind a keyboard, accompanied over five cover numbers by the clear vocals of Alex (the very same “gal” who had assisted on vocals on Malcolm’s “Aliens” release. I say covers, but that would be to gloss over the compositions, Tim Buckley’s “Song To The Siren”, a Billie Holiday number, Neil Young’s “Helpless”, Oscar Brown Jr’s “Afro Blue” and Tony-Joe White’s “Rainy Night In Georgia”. In fact, in the current climate, I would have paid extra to have heard her have a crack at “Hallelujah” !
Alex departs to warm applause and the man is nicely warmed up. What follows is a good mix of covers and Morley originals with Malcolm switching between keyboard and acoustic guitar. The originals contained one spellbinding surprise – “more on that story later”. I suppose some may say that he missed a trick by not delivering more originals – especially those emotive trademark tracks – but trust me, what we got was a set of impeccable taste – it also had a few different items from the previous run-out in October. Malcolm’s boogie-woogie piano style suggests that he could out-do Jools Holland without even breaking “perspiration”. This was more than ably borne out when he romped through Jimmy Reed’s “Big Boss Man”. The fact that he gave one of The Helps’ classic tracks a “spanish” flavoured acoustic guitar arrangement was a sheer magical master-stoke and so “Blown Away” got aired in the 21st century. If someone had told me while I was downing m’ Corn Flakes that very morn that I would end the day hearing that I’d’ve dismissed them as “being away wi’ the Fairies” !
J.J. Cale’s “Magnolia” followed, along with one of Dylan’s lesser covered classics, namely, “When I Paint My Masterpiece”. On Friday night’s showing I’d say Malcolm’s palette has currently got a good range of texture and colour as regards his playing and singing.
We also were treated to a great version of “Naked As The Night from “Lost & Found”. Another homage to The Helps in the form of “Paper Leaves” just serves to remind what a great enduring song that has been with fine imagery. It was during “Paper Leaves” that I believe Ken & Pete Tuck’s Mrs. made a strong case for being put forward for the next “Strictly Come Dancing” – a very creditable Waltz that would have Broocie getting doddery, “Seven !” said Len, Bruno would have been getting all “hot and bothered”, Craig would have found something to moan about & Arlene would have seen Ken as the next Austin Healey. It was perhaps a good thing that this all took place out of Malcolm’s line of sight. This brought Malcom’s set to a close - needless to say, we would lapped up anymore he felt like dispensing.
At the risk of being told “We’ve paid our money so if we want to talk we will” – I will just say that it is a sad indictment of the times as regards the “poor manners” displayed by a few who could have done that in the bar rather than in the presence of a performer. Am I alone in mourning the passing of politeness ? And remember, very few in attendance could be classed as being in their initial flush of rude youth ! Preaching over (for now).
Right, on to the Festive Main Course – The Ever Dependable Green Ray, avec the added ingredient of Malcolm sitting in on keyboards for a few numbers. As is the case these days, we’re up and running from the start with an agreeable airing for “Float” – a nice touch by Ken as he name-checks it’s “departed composer” Si Burgin. You wonder what kind of a Ray we would have had if he’d’ve still been on board – dare we suggest just how potent a 5 piece Ray may have been ? Anyway, pointless conjecture laid aside, we move on to Si Haspeck’s “One Minute To Midnight” and t‘would appear that Richard is in one of those veins of form where everything he touches just sounds so right. It wouldn’t be a Ray gig without some technical mishap and this evening’s “moment” centres upon a rather “pesky” microphone that seemed to take exception @ Ken’s rather unintentional “heavy contact”. A few almost Norman Collier moments ensue while Jeff shuffles mikes. The Hunter / Melton “Jesse James”, which has been absorbed by the Ray to the same very agreeable standard as “Everything Is Free” & “All My Tears”, gets a creditable airing. The mighty “Dunebergers” gets delivered in all its’ brutal majesty.
We move on to an ironic / iconic moment where, with Malcolm on keys, Richard delivers the aforementioned’s composition of “Morning Song” – a truly bizarre moment considering that it is the Ray that have worked this song up to it’s current gestation. Richard then delivers his trademark “blues” cover of “Help Me” – again with Malcolm on keys with another boogie-woogie flourish. “Before The Fall” gets a fine delivery with Ken’s vocals riding over the musical backdrop. The whole band seem to be revelling in the “packed throng” and feeding off the atmosphere.
After Malcolm has left the stage, we get a jokey pointed jibe from Ken as regards the BBC stealing the band’s thunder as regards the new Kenneth Branagh TV Detective “Wallander” as in Swedish. I would say at this point that the imagery in Ken’s “Swedish Detective Movie” sits pretty easy among the story lines of the first two episodes. Ken announced that tonight’s gig was going to be Pete Tuck’s last gig in view of their impending relocation north into “The White Heather Club” territory – as generous a gesture as this was to someone who has been a stalwart supported of the band over the years, Pete was moved to correct Ken that it was not going to be their last gig as they are intending to make January’s gig on the 13th. Again, if it hadn’t had the humour – it wouldn’t have been The Ray ! When was the last time you were at a gig when Mince Pies and Quality Street was passed round ?
The evening drew to a great close with Julie Miller’s “All My Tears” being ushered in by a riff that almost sounds like it has come from the soundtrack of a Western where the train hauls into view with it’s lonesome whistle and bell a-clanging. As this is almost their unofficial signature tune, it is a fine way to conclude matters. Things finish well and truly on the up and we look forward to an equally fruitful 2009 both for and, from the band. And, while we’re about it, as long as Malcolm feels like getting up there, hopefully, enough of us proved that it would be well received !
Time to plug possibly the best £6 you can invest in given the current economic climate. Yes, my friends The Green Ray have a spanking new CD available – Live from their gig @ the Classic Rock Club, Cheshunt, from January this year with Nick (Bevis Frond) Saloman sitting in. “It’s rockin’ little record that I want my jockey to play”. So, “Run, Run, Rudolph” and get yourselves some copies!
A belated mention for the June Green Ray gig @ The Plough that I attended, but, for far too many reasons, never got round to writing up – I thought Si Whaley’s drumming that evening was, even by his usual high standards, absolutely top notch !
What a band – and they’re still among us – you know the usual closing b******s I deliver, but in front of a “fuller room” they more than held their own – perhaps a couple of Friday Plough gigs to mix up with the Tuesdays wouldn’t go amiss in 2009 ? Now, what about us (the Ray Throng) staffing the bar – that would be an agreeable arrangement !
RICHARD MORLEY.
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