Joe & Jolene: Needham Market The Ark 14.11.2009

In support Mike Green & Dave Tricker and Pluck & Squeeze

Joe and Jolene have been quietly developing material which sits separately from Joe’s other engagements in the world of Bluegrass/Irish and heavier types of music.  There is a degree to which the material is sourced from the second folk revival which originally generated my own interest in the music, with a continuing eye to the artists and styles that are moulding acoustic music on both sides of the Atlantic at the present time.

Joe is accomplished on any instrument which has strings and in this context has a style which accompanies Jolene’s singing in a sensitive and unobtrusive way. Jolene has a fine singing voice and chooses songs which play to the strengths in her voice.

The evening was divides into two halves. Mike and Dave opened  proceedings with four songs including Lucky Old Sun, and with an eye to Remembrance Sunday, Keep the Home Fires Burning. Joe and Jolene then played a set which, opening with Joan Baez’s Diamonds and Rust leant heavily on material which they have polished over the last year when I have previously heard them play. This was in part a comfortable response to Jolene having a cold and catchy throat which was easily forgiven and did not get in the way of her performance.  Joe’s medicine was Kronenbourg and Famous Grouse, Jolene’s a herbal ginger concoction in a thermos flask, (with the occasional sip from the Grouse).

Pluck & Squeeze opened the second set after tea, coffee and raffle. A capable set including The Soldier Laddie and the Hartlepool Monkey, (the latter an interesting selection in the week of post Abu Ghraib disclosures). Joe and Jolene then played a set of material which mostly I hadn’t heard before. This included ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ which was good to hear as Jolene had spoken with us about the song in the summer and was searching for a way to make it hers. (I was perhaps mildly disappointed not to hear the extra verses she had found). The fact that the material was fresher, and in a couple of instances in first public performance lent a positive edge to the performances. I always enjoy live and dangerous. Joe had given me permission to film and I hope that some of these will find their way to the ‘Folkbluesnbeyond’ Youtube channel so you can make your own mindsup.

Interesting to see two of Dave Tricker’s hand built mandolins in performance, (Joe has one). A talented builder, the instruments sound excellent, and with Dave being a perfectionist and Joe’s feedback, will only get better as the production line extends.

Lots of friends in the audience from both the folk and the bluegrass community which bodes well for Mike Green’s next venture which is a Folk & Bluegrass Day in January at Kersey Mill. The Ark is an excellent small venue with brilliant acoustics and was perfect for this concert with no sound reinforcement needed.

Thank you to Mike, Linda and the team for the organisation. A great evening.

Bill Johnston 15^th November 2009

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