Reviewed By: Nick Dalton
It’s a new line-up of Stackridge on stage, something which perhaps comes as more of a surprise to modern-day fans than those of us who’ve needed a scorecard to keep track of changes since even the early days in the 1970s. Of the four key members who all regrouped at the same time several years ago and who managed a record-breaking stint together, it was Mutter Slater (who I think, and I haven’t got my scorecard to hand, might well have been in more line-ups than anyone else) who slipped away. No musical differences, though, and he may return, should the band get the size of gigs they deserve.
That said, the eclectic folk-pop-rock combo warmed a sizable crowd on a bitterly cold night with what was, I gather, only the second Mutter-less outing. While a Stackridge without Mutter’s songs, flute and boisterous character is always going to be one squirrel short of a wood, this was a triumph in so many ways, the band organically shifting and swelling to fill the void.
The exciting thing was that after 40 years of comings and goings this is the first time (I’m pretty sure; it’s that scorecard thing) that Andy Davis and James Warren have fronted the band alone together; it’s either been both of them with Slater, one of them with Slater or, in the case of a turn-of-the-century incarnation, just Warren. The result is something different, a structure that allows the band’s poppier side comes through, and this really is the Beatles of folk-pop, all harmonies, twin guitars and superb songs. The psychedelic side of things (in a pastoral, very English way) shines, helped by Glenn Tomney’s swirling keyboards.
The slimmer line-up (still with Crun Walter on bass) means new challenges, and there are a lot of favourite songs missing along with Mutter, numbers such as North St Grande, The Galloping Gaucho and even Slark (although Tommey does add flute to a couple of pieces). But, along with the more guitar-based numbers, the space created by Mutter’s absence allows violinist Clare Lindley room to become more of a solo presence. A surprise inclusion was the seemingly never before played live (and barely learnt) Seek And You Will Find, the lilting, acoustic B-side (well, second track) from the splendid North St Grande Christmas single. But the band’s long list of available numbers, not least from their modern-day album A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE, meant there was plenty to fill the gaps. There was a spine-tingling Purple Spaceships, the glorious Red Squirrel, and so much more.
Some moments of Stackridge music are uplifting above all others, sending a shiver down the spine; chord changes from old favourites such as Syracuse the Elephant and recent classic The Day The Earth Stopped Turning, the chorus to The Road To Venezuela. This might not quite be the complete Stackridge but it’s a mighty good alternative.