Re: Barclay James Harvest at ROSfest.
2009-05-04 by lsf5275@aol.com
I just returned from seeing BJH at Rosfest. They were wonderful. I
previously posted some photos and a brief report of the activities I shared with
Woolly and the other band members the night before the show.
BJH were the Sunday headliner, and although all of the bands before them
were great, I felt like a little boy forced to sit in my seat through an endless
Sunday church session, such was my anticipation of the show. I missed them when
they came to the States in 1976 and I have been begging various promoters to
bring them over since 2003. Although I had nothing to do with the fact that they
were signed to play at ROSfest, I was fortunate to not only see the show, but to
meet the band and lend Woolly a Mellotron. I also spent the weekend working
backstage between acts and was provided a hotel room and full access for my
efforts.
Sadly, I did not get to meet John Lees until we were setting up for the
show, and actually spoke only briefly to him afterwards. He was sick all weekend
and literally dragged himself from his bed to play the show. The rest of the
band, including Woolly were very gregarious, very accessible and a lot of fun to
hang out with. As some of you may know, Woolly and John Lees are supported on
stage by Kevin Whitehead on drums and Craig Fletcher on bass, both of whom are
in Maestoso with Woolly. In fact, if John weren't with them and Steve Broomhead
was, it would be Maestoso. However, it is John and Woolly together who make it
BJH and there was no mistaking what they sounded like.
I was surprised to find that Woolly is actually the man in charge. Despite
the name, John Lees' Barclay James Harvest, Woolly is the band leader and a
great front man. He sang surprisingly well, and actually sang lead on the
opening tune, "For No One" because of John's suffering voice. One of the most
enjoyable aspects of their performance is Woolly's sense of humor. Craig is a
great foil for him on and off stage. There is a comradery amongst all of them
that really shows through in their performance. For this show, BJH added a
second keyboard player, Jez Smith. This was his first tour with the band and he
fit right in.
I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Woolly, Kevin, Jez and Craig
and they're all great guys. John Lees seemed to be very quiet and shy but
also really nice.
I'm happy to report that the Mellotron sounded great and Woolly played the
hell out of it. In talking with Martin Smith last week, he summed up their
performance very well before I ever saw it. He described them properly as very
"musical." He was right. Although they are all very good musicians, none are
what I would call great. However, when you see and hear the show, you realize
how wonderfully "musical" they are and how well they play within the framework
of these great songs. On one song, Medicine man, they took off on an extended
jam that stretched the song out considerably. This was the only time they
improvised. I loved it, as did virtually everyone else.
I wish others of you could have been there to see the show. Sadly, they had
to cancel the Toronto show scheduled for the 6th. Woolly assures me that they
would like to return to North America as soon as possible. Hopefully their
manger, Mark Powell, can work something out. I think the problem is that they
don't have any money to promote their show, and without promotion they can't
sell tickets. So the 'festival' thing is, for now, the best way to get them over
here.
One great highlight was that Jimmy Moore and his wife Nancy were at the
show as guests of the band. It was great to see them and I wish I'd
had time to hang out and visit with them. As it was, by the time I was done
tearing down and packing up, it was late and I had to hit the road for a 3 1/2
hour drive. Plus I had to stop and pick up the Mellotron 4 Track on the way home
so that I can begin it's overhaul.
I have posted some pictures below and will soon put some videos up on my
myspace page. The promoter has asked me not to post them to you tube, so I
won't. Others at the show may have also shot video, so some may show up on
you tube at some point.
Frank
The Mellotron faced
the audience
John Lees adjusting
his mixer.
Wooly with their
equipment manager, Stempy.
Jez
Smith.
Wooly brought over his
old Kurzweil K2000, which was damaged in transport. Still worked
though.
Woolly's stage rig.
This Mellotron is like an old M&M; a little dented on the
outside but delicious inside. It is constantly dragged around and
played live, so the cabinet is all original. I just happened to
have it in my shop for it's annual check-up so I brought it along. I
had the black one back stage as
well.
Woolly sound checking
the, "Ukulele of Doom."
Woolly, Craig and John
at the sound check
They played so load that many in the front rows moved to the
back....
Kidding! Sound
Check.
See?
I went backstage during the show to take this
one.
Set list. Woolly plays
the Ukulele of Doom on Poor Wages &
Harbour
On stage after the show.
From left:
Craig Fletcher, John Lees, Jez Smith, Kevin Whitehead, me,
Woolly.
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