We had already been offered two 'courses' of our musical menu. The starters were in the form of Foreign Slippers, a Swedish singer/songwriter who proudly displayed a hat of monstrous proportions. She assured us that it was an artistic an artistic friend who had designed it but it had more of a failed IKEA vibe to it.
She performed a number of cutesy acoustic numbers. My favourites were a cover of Tom Petty's 'Don't back down', and one of her own number that had a chorus of 'Woggle Woggle?!'. Then it was time for the next 'dish' in the form of Chip Bailey and colleague, from Bailey and Bowles. I had seen these fella a number of years ago when they had been members of Dukes band. Tonight they managed to offer a sort of 'Chaz and Dave' skiffle routine. The highlights had to be a song about his percussion stick called 'Stumpy Goes To Bognor'. At the end of their set they were joined on stage by 'Duke' (and his band). Hmm, already the main course had arrived. As it was though, they all traipsed off, and we had to wait another ten minutes before the best dish arrived.
Duke Special perched centre stage by his piano and we were off. The clarity and volume of the sound system was spot on for the first song 'A Ballad Of A Broken Man' this flowed into 'Wake Up Scarlet' and the guitarist offered us 'Dick Dale' one moment, and the use of a cello bow the next. The crowd were up for it from the start and sang along with 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' en masse. As always with a 'Duke' gig there appears to be a fine line between clever songs, a touch of burlesque and choral shrieks. With a song about a silent movie star named Hector Mann a touch of story telling was also offered. A record player was then included to provide samples into the songs. The chorus 'Digging An Early Grave' were offered snippets of manic laughter.
A cover of a Woody Gutherie song was very folky, with a bit of ommph before it was a return to pure theatre, with a song called 'Darling Of The Jockey Club'. This had more of a rag time vibe, before he slowed into ballad mode. The crowd, who before had joyfully sung along, now mellowed and the room was so quiet you would have been able to hear a nun break wind. This must be the strength of Duke Special, in how he attempts to involve the crowd into the show, for next he had jumped off the stage and went about the auditorium ringing a small hand bell. Whether this was just to stretch his legs or recall the rest of the band onto the stage was unclear, but it paved the way for a smashing version of 'Salvation Tamborine' The chorus of "I could go to London" being offered as option away from the Madchester rain we had driven through to get to the gig.
Dessert then arrived in the form of the encore. This involved Duke on stage with the afore mentioned Chip(and stumpy), before it was the return of Florence Slipper to duo on 'Freewheel', which slowed down from the original album version, must surely equal anything that Coldplay can offer. To finish an upbeat version of 'Last Night I Almost Died', had sing along chorus/special Dick Dale bonanza guitar/kitchen sink(and plug). The crowd go home happy.
But no, there is to be cheese and biscuits on offer. For all the performers embark on a pilgrimage into the crowd. People are asked to sit down and then a sea shanty was played, then repeated, and then joined in by all. Duke and the band carted guitar, double bass, a ukulele, IKEA hat and stumpy around the room and brought a genuine sense of enjoyment into all who were at the gig.
With a new album recently released, Dukes song writing ability does appear to be going from strength to strength. However it must surely be as a live artist that he should be judged and thoroughly enjoyed.
A 'Special' night indeed.
article by: Ian Painter & Simon Oukal
published: 06/05/2009 09:17
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.