The opening act was teenage Liverpudlian singer/songwriter Eleanor Nelly. A powerful, gutsy voice and an outgoing personality. Mostly her own songs which are lyrically promising, with People Like Us standing out, but lacking memorable melodies - there's nothing here to pass the old grey whistle test. Good to see her guitar accompaniment going well beyond simple chord strumming, even if ambition still outreaches technique on occasion. But Nelly is a promising act and could have a strong future ahead in the music business.
She was followed by the Grateful Fred house band, with the same three front men described in my earlier review, but with the addition of a drummer to give a stronger feel to the set. Their rocking faux-Americana might not be exciting, but it's certainly enjoyable, and that's all you can ask of a local support act.
Then on to the main point of the night. Nick Davies on bass, Neil McCartney playing fiddle, and the four Kettles up front. Most of what I wrote in that year old review, and much of the one I wrote for the full band last July still applies. They continue to light up a stage with their presence, the musicianship is solid if unspectacular, the vocals excellent, the songs themselves as good as ever. There were several from their newest album and it promises to add further depth to the back catalogue they can call upon. And politically they remain as sensibly left wing and people oriented as ever.
In my previous review of MH I ended with a single word. Joyous. It still applies.
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