Spoonful - 13/09/08

With its recent renovation the Fermain Tavern already seems back on the path to being one of Guernsey’s premier spots for live music, much like it was when it welcomed many bands, both local and visitors, in its glory days of the 1970s and 80s.

But that’s enough reminiscing, I prefer to look at what’s happening musically in Guernsey today and one thing that has struck me, and that has found a home in the confines of the Fermain, is the growth in the popularity of blues music.

With artists like Seasick Steve making a mark in the wider world Spoonful have been drawing bigger and bigger crowds over the past 6 months and this culminated in their show at Fermain on September 13.

Billed as a ‘Farewell to Joe (for now)’ the band started the night with something a bit different, a set of acoustic numbers even featuring an upright double bass – an instrument rarely seen outside of jazz nights over here these days.

While the acoustic sounds got things off on a mellow note it was when the band plugged in that the night really got rolling and, despite a few sound issues, every one in the pub was definitely enjoying the show.

The blues groove was laid down by the rhythm section of Paul Langlois and Nigel Davies whose work often seems over shadowed in press coverage of the band, but was, as always as tight as any you are likely to find.

Over this came the sounds of Andy Mason’s harmonica and Joe Corbin’s guitar which when ‘duelling’ really demonstrated a band that just seem to click.

Joe once again demonstrated his ability with the guitar, which, despite his almost violent manner of playing, really seems to find the soul of blues and seems to still be developing.

We were treated to something extra tonight as Lydia Pugh joined the band for a run through of ‘Fever’ and hinted at a new direction for them with a slightly jazzy feel to the blues.

With Joe heading away to college Spoonful’s future direction seems up in the air, but, based on tonight’s performance, it looks promising, and definitely a good shade of blue.