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Audience |
Progeny2 22 November 2004 |
| I was casually flicking through a friend's rock magazine a couple of weeks ago when I noticed an ad for
Progeny 2. It always amuses me when you read these mags and see the gig list read like something from the early seventies, but
Audience? Could it be? I went on the net as soon as I got home and found it was indeed true.
I always regretted not having seen them at the time, and knew I had to go.
Although I remain unimpressed by the current (and former) output of most of the "prog rock" acts of that era, the
Audience recordings still sound fresh and (in most cases) timeless.
The instrumentation is unlike any other band. Howard Werth's distinctive, versatile vocals, and nylon strung guitar. Keith Gemmell's mastery of a host of wind instruments and use of effects to compliment the music, rather than hide inadequacies (as most people use them) was underpinned by Trevor Williams and Tony Connor, the most under rated rhythm section in rock music. So, at 4.30 on a Monday afternoon in late November, I made my way into an almost empty Astoria to hear them live for the first time. The place started filling up and I realised there were quite a few people who had obviously come specifically for the bottom billed band. As soon as they started the first bars of "You're Not Smiling" they were contradicted by my broad grin. This sound is one of the most unique you'll ever hear (and I listen to everything). But more importantly, it works. Werth's voice has lost none of it's power and emotion and although occasionally showing signs of strain, it's nothing a few gigs wouldn't sort out. His energetic nylon string playing was a joy and the sound of that (yes, the same green Baldwin) guitar was brilliant; percussive and melodic. How did this man manage to elude rock stardom? He's so original, he's not even a cult figure. Adding the colour and harmony to this is the flawless playing of Keith Gemmell; saxes and flute with and without a variety of effects. If I had expected the sax sound on "Jackdaw" to sound weak and exposed without the aid of a studio recording I was wrong. Every part played sounded better live and where he strayed from the original hymn sheet, I was even more impressed. Trevor William's bass was brilliantly solid and melodic, including his trademark fuzz bass soloing, and his backing vocals necessary and accurate. New drummer John Fisher (at a guess less than half the age of his fellow band members) was great in parts, although at times not really getting that loose, but tight swing that Tony Connor had. Bearing age and experience in mind, it's only a matter of time. I would also suggest that when they start playing new material together, his playing will really gel. The short set also included "I Had a Dream", "Man on Box", "I Put a Spell on You" and "House on the Hill" and although the crowd wanted more, time restrictions prevented it. So, where do they go from here? First they should enjoy playing the older stuff and relax into it. We all want to hear "Nancy", "Thunder and Lightning" and the other classics, but these guys are real musicians and will obviously do new material. They have all the elements they need to do it and the capability, although that perfectionism thing pervades a lot of their material, and I guess it may take a while. I hear a live album is in the pipeline first, so let's enjoy the present and look forward to the new phase of Audience. Adam Gaiman 24/11/2004 |