Cosmic Charlies, Fiddler's Elbow, 30 Oct 2015

I think I’ve seen the Charlies play 20 gigs now, going back perhaps 20 years. None of them were duds, many were excellent, but (for me anyway) this was the best, the high-energy second set exceeding all expectations and, at times, matching the thrill of seeing the Dark Star Orchestra in London in 2012.

So what was different? The deployment of both Danny and Greg on drums? The venue? (Intimate and ideal for the size of the audience.) The audience? (Active, responsive, and enthusiastic – plenty of dancing and – hallelujah - no chatting during the songs.) The fact that I could hear each of the instruments? (Admittedly with the exception of differentiating the two drum kits). Or the inspired set list?

For probably the first time I fully appreciated Terry on keyboards: both his contribution to the sound and also his solos. Both guitarists were on top form, and Mike is clearly the right bass player (and I’ve seen several).

Highlights of the first set were the Scarlet - Fire (obviously) and a Shakedown Street which featured a magnificent ensemble jam rising to an ecstatic crescendo before the break, by which time everyone needed a cold drink, such was the temperature in the Fiddlers.

The problem with the Fiddlers is the volume. Last October I came away from the gig with ringing ears which lasted 3 days; cue much pain and anxiety that the symptom was permanent. So this time I availed myself of the earplugs freely available at the bar. They worked a treat and I had no after-effects (other than euphoria). But they did come out for the highlights. For most of the second set, actually. (When you take them out you realise they are the aural equivalent of a condom.)

One of the great things about the Charlies is having two exciting guitarists. When Brian chucks in a positively ferocious solo, say on Scarlet Begonias, you know you're going to get an equally scintillating riposte from Andy. Or so was the case over the 20 years I've known the band.

But no more.

The reason this report has taken so long to see the light of day is that Andy and Greg are no longer Cosmic Charlies. Unbeknown to me there was discord in the band from the start of this gig. (I'm reminded of the times Grateful Dead band members said they came off stage feeling it had been rubbish only to find they'd just created a classic.)

It is not my place to comment on the split, but I will say that this music is good and deserves to be played and heard as much as possible; nobody should ever get precious about who is playing what with whom.

1: Bertha, Good Lovin', Me And My Uncle, Big River, Valerie, Easy Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Fire On The Mountain, Shakedown Street
2:That's It For The Other One, Here Comes Sunshine, Althea, Uncle John's Band, Morning Dew
E: Werewolves Of London

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4lx-u7p3s