Concert Review by EDF
The Mean Fiddler – 28 March 2001
The one thing about live music is, if the acts are good enough to enjoy, then nothing including tube strikes is going to stop people from going out to enjoy themselves.
Formally LA2 and bought by and renamed The Mean Fiddler, it was one of those nights that was sure going to be entertaining. The first support act was Tram and their songs were quite good, although a little on the slow tempo side. The other criticism would be that if the singer expressed a little more emotion through his vocals, then they would stand a chance of making it. By all means don’t be put off by what I have to say, check them out if you can.
The second support act was Sandy Dillon and take it from someone who’s been to many concerts, I have never seen or heard anyone like her. Dressed like a wild woman from who knows where, Sandy has a wild look with a voice to match. Sounding like a bizarre mixture of Tina Turner and Tom Waits mixed with the type of blues associated with Captain Beefheart, Sandy growls her way through the set like a woman set on having a good time even if she doesn’t know what her own script is for the night. With a band backing her who are capable enough to keep things together, even they look bemused when the chaos leaves them at the end of each track. It is easy to see that although listening to a whole album might be taxing, visually Sandy Dillon is a must for anyone who wants to experience someone different. Oh yeah, the songs are not bad either.
Cousteau were the main act and unfortunately encountered some difficulties at the start. First of all there was no sound coming from the keyboard, which Davey Ray Moor quickly sorted out. During the first song “How Will I Know” singer Liam McKahey pulled the mike away from the mike stand, only to find the mike lead had come away from the mike. Keeping his composure, he quickly fixed the problem and continued on with the rest of the song. Declaring themselves to be the greatest duo comedy act around, they launched into “Your Day Will Come”. Although most of the songs are a slow tempo, the musicianship and lyrics are top class. Anyone who has seen Cousteau live knows only too well that these guys are not just good live, they are spectacular. I have seen them supporting another group at a showcase only to blow the main act off stage with their performance. Catch these guys if they come to a venue near you, there is no other group around that sound quite like them.
Overall, a great night by three different but entertaining acts.
