Chaplin’s, Cellar Bar, Boscombe
It’s an absolute pleasure to be back at one of Dorset’s premier music venues, Chaplin’s in Boscombe. The venue with the entrepreneurial Harry Seccombe at the helm has survived the pandemic and has come out the other side fighting. The vast majority of the venue’s live music is curated by local legend Conrad Barr, a staunch supporter of the original local music scene. Tonight Connie (as he’s known affectionately to his friends) steps out from behind his sound desk to once again perform in his own band “Moonbeams”.
The band is a seemingly constant revolving door featuring some of the area’s best musicians. Tonight’s line-up features Graham Wood on Keyboards, Jimmy Young on Guitar, Paul Rouillier on bass, Nick Waugh on drums, and band matriarch Connie on his Fender Jaguar electric guitar. The sound comes from a plethora of different influences and at types has a psychedelic; hypnotic effect with its infectious keys, constant rhythms, and substantial guitar sounds. Connie has adapted his playing style using his artificial limb pulling the fixed finger over the strings, while his other hand changes the chords. I think anybody that knows him is aware of how much he loves playing/performing and he does this with plenty of passion.
The Cellar Bar crowd are treated to tracks including “Heart & Soul”, the wondrous retro-styled “Gun” and the dreamy “Sunset”. This slightly smaller lineup of Moonbeams appears to have a much Rockier feel to them, with the guitars showing a much more prominent part of the songs along with Paul and Nick’s rhythmic backbone. At times these guys play with a carefree abandonment with them just getting lost within the music and just enjoying their moment in the spotlight. The crowd certainly warm to what they have to offer and give the band plenty of positive encouragement, as they leave the stage after their 40-minute set.
Next up are local 5-piece Thin Wire Fence, who themselves have not played a gig for over two years. During the lockdown period they became so frustrated with everything that they nearly decided to call it a day, thankfully the music won and they stayed together and tonight’s gig is a positive shot in the arm for the band and their fans. Kicking off with “Bear” from their “Takerman” Ep the band featuring Darren Smith (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Waugh (Pedal Steel), Lady Janey (Keyboards/Percussion/Vocals), Tony Cook (Guitar) and David Watters (Drums) seem rejuvenated. The fuzzed-up Americana at times is so intoxicating and it’s easy to be carried along with their unique stylings.
Nick’s (who also played drums for Moonbeams) pedal steel soars and creates some atmospheric and emotive sounds that combines really well with the band’s other elements. Lady Janey dressed in a sparkly jumpsuit and Greenpeace fascinator brings some glamour to proceedings, you certainly wouldn’t find this sort of get-up at a dusty American truck stop! Her backing vocals backed Darren’s perfectly and it was just a pleasure to see them treading the boards of Chaplin’s once again. During the set, the audience numbers swelled and there was a good mix of ages and all were kept thoroughly entertained throughout. They even insisted on a well-deserved encore before the band left the stage; as Darren said it was way past his bedtime, he’s usually in bed by 9:30pm. It’s good to see things returning to some normality and yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder.
Set List
Thin Wire Fence:
Bear
Hawk
Sugar Coated
I Suppose
Jason
Scared of the Light
Eagle & Wolf
Take Your Pill
Takerman
Preachin’ Mouth
Hunter
Odin Calling
Horses
Moses
Moonbeams
Open Up
Heart & Soul
Captain
Gun
Sunset
Barbarella
Castaway
Videos
Links
http://www.thinwirefence.com
https://www.facebook.com/PlanetMoonbeam
Words & Media by David Chinery (Chinners)
