A ten minute walk from our house you reach The Greystones public house. It has a concert room at the rear called, quite imaginatively, "The Backroom". It holds about 250 and though it doesn't host world famous arena acts, it is a popular venue for what I might call moderately successful mid-range bands and singers. On more than one occasion it has been voted Britain's best small venue for music.
Tonight more by default than design, I was there to witness a concert by a tribute band called "Both Sides Now". The name gives it away for they honour the music and lyricism of Joni Mitchell. They are not trying to be imitators. Those who pay tribute do not have to copy.
The Backroom was packed and my friend Mike had got there long before me. I arrived at 8pm just before the band came on the stage. In the first half I sat on a stool in the aisle but in the second half I managed to sit on the front row for I had earlier spotted an empty space there.
Both Sides Now consists of four skilled musicians - drums, bass, lead guitar and keyboards but the voice of the band comes from Sarah Miller who looks more like Bonnie Tyler than Joni Mitchell.
In my judgement, there were some issues with sound balance - with the guitars threatening to smother Sarah Miller's voice but the second half was better in that regard. It is fifty years since the album, "Court and Spark" was released and several numbers on the playlist came from that album.
My favourite Joni Mitchell album will always be "Blue" and thankfully the band covered "A Case of You", "Carey", "River" and "California" but the song I enjoyed most was in fact "Both Sides Now". Sarah Miller sang it with only keyboard accompaniment and though I am sure she has sung it many times before, it was fresh and heartfelt finishing to loud applause from the audience. It's a great song and it was good to hear an original interpretation of it. The video below is quite faithful.
I am glad I went. My ticket became available because Mike's wife Jill has been ill this week. If you're reading this Mike - thanks a lot!
from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/RDQSLVx