Music

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Tuesday November 20 | Wednesday November 21

Wednesday November 21

Mike Flynn applauds the Heritage Orchestra and looks forward to burlesque and Barry Adamson

I’ve been a fan of the Heritage Orchestra since their inception three years ago, also when they made a sizeable impression as part of a Gilles Peterson-curated LJF closing night in 2005. Their jaw-dropping headline slot at the Big Chill last year was also a live highlight of that summer, so it was great to see them sounding more robust than ever in their opening slot for Steve Reid. Feature continues

Curious to book a 40-piece support band, but the nearly full house at the Barbican was evidence of their fanbase these days. Taking their latest oeuvre from Brighton-based trip-hop electro producer type Amon Tobin, and his latest album ‘Foley Room’ (based around the art of sound recording), the opening barrage was all dark parping Bond theme brass and bass, sweeping angular strings and rabid drumming – yum! A multi-limbed beast of a band, the HO doesn’t want for shape or colour in their sound , and conductor/composer Jules Buckley’s offhand manner on the mic is all the more endearing for his lack of pomposity – this is a band that revels in its power and grace yet is never hindered by it. A welcome surprise came in the form of sassy singer Gwyneth Herbert who let rip on a new tune by Buckley and guitarist Stuart McCullum. While Mizz Herbert’s latest album ‘Between Me And The Wardrobe’ is a sly po-mo, lo-fi folk jazz album – so it was a joy to hear her letting rip in true soul diva style – and give us all a stark reminder of that wonderful set of pipes she has.

Immodesty Blaize

Now I admit it was a tough choice but I had to step out before the Steve Reid Ensemble appeared to play music based on his latest Afro-jazz masterwork ‘Daxaar’ – but the Vortex was calling me. I am however reliably informed that Reid took the opportunity to pummel his drums non-stop for 45 minutes in a determined frenzy of rhythm. Guest bassist Simon H Fell – known for ‘playing’ his bass with small hand cymbals and two bows at the same time – added to the chaotic mélange while keys man Kieran Hebden splattered things with his artful electronic noise. After this breathless assault, and with only a few moments’ pause, the band then launched into another 30-minute jam to leave the Barbican crowd giddy and exhausted – Sun Ra would have been proud.

Tonight, though, I'll be heading down to check out the more earthly delights of Barry Adamson's 'A Few Of My Favourite Themes' show at the South Bank. Barry's old bandmates Nick Cave and Magazine man Dave Formula will be appearing with him, and we hear that award-winning burlesque starlette Immodesty Blaize will be joining the band onstage to perform during Adamson's take on 'The Man With The Golden Arm'. Should be hot stuff.