24 March 2015 (gig)
27 March 2015
Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson were back at Southampton’s Talking Heads again on Tuesday and laid down a wonderful set of original Blues and folk to a crowd who started off laid back and relaxed but who finished the set on their feet dancing and clapping to the gospel influenced ‘Power’ – frankly, if they had gone on all night I don’t think anyone would have minded.
For anyone who does NOT know them, they consist of a tall and tangy Australian who plays guitar, slide, vocals and occasional drums and a blonde Irishwoman who sings, plays drums, washboard, fife, tin whistle and anything else she needs or wants to. They bicker and argue like a long married couple (which they are) but that only adds to the charms of a wonderful homestyle performance.
What makes them very special is the combination of Cara’s soft Irish voice coupled with subtle percussion and Fitz’ slide and picked guitar with his strong and dark vocals – whether they are playing a number such as ‘Sing Something New’ which is almost funeral slow and is about Fitz love of old Blues (to the exclusion of all else) or a belter like ‘Wiley Ways’ featuring Cara on washboard they work like a perfect dovetail joint.
Songs such as ‘Eliza Blue’ tell dark tales of prisoners being transported to Botany Bay, eerie and harsh but haunting as well or the story of Cara’s recovery from painkiller addiction following a crippling car smash which should be harrowing but has the crowd clapping away to Cara’s tin whistle and powerful drumming. ‘Beer Fridge’ is a paean to Fitz first great love – a curvy and ever giving, battery powered BEER FRIDGE!
They are one of those bands who are worth going to see whenever they appear – this is real live music, played with a great sense of fun and no script.
Support for the evening, once again, were the fine outfit Johnny Bocxcars. A little more rockabilly than I remembered them and all the better for it. A terrific combo who seem to enjoy playing and get the crowd on their side from the off.
Finally a word for The Talking Heads: rapidly becoming a favourite venue if only because of the atmosphere and excellent sound system. A good selection of real ales and porters doesn’t hurt either. If you are in the Southampton area it is worth looking up whoever is on.
