BEN WATT TRIO | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 25 Oct
Ben, Ben, Ben: where have you been for a chunk of my mid-life, I mean, for the past 10 years or so??
Yes, we know you’ve been busy DJing and producing, but we’ve missed hearing YOU. We loved you with wife Tracey Thorn in Everything But The Girl, but it’s still been a long 31-year-wait since your debut solo album, that melancholy masterpiece, North Marine Drive.
I actually made your acquaintance before NMD, though. It was on one of my favourite compilation LPs, Pillows & Prayers (Pay No More Than 99p!), given to me as a gift. I was also introduced to Tracey (then in the Marine Girls), and I fell in love. With both of you. You’ve seen me through first love, lost love, make-ups, shake-ups, the lot. I’d estimate your music was on the turntable at least 60% of the time I was sobbing into my pillow (yes, one’s tempestuous twenties).
Then you were seriously ill with a life-threatening disease, almost died and were out of commission for a few years. Thankfully, you recovered. The wait has been worth it because your superb second album, Hendra is out, and you’re touring with your trio (ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler and drummer Martin Ditcham). And what an intimate performance you gave us at Clwb Ifor Bach. No flashing lights, pyrotechnics, smoke machines or sequined dancers to be found.
The crowd was cosy, and mostly our age (how nice to be in a club and not feel like the most elderly person there). Laughed at your explanation of the bluesy Young Man’s Game, about getting old but finding the dancefloor never does. You told us the album had songs of innocence and of experience. Even though you did all of the songs (save one) off Hendra, it was déjà vu heaven to hear North Marine Drive and Some Things Don’t Matter. Wished you had done all of NMD, but I know, we’ve moved forward. Liked that you did a trio of EBTG oldies, including the moving The Night I Heard Caruso Sing with an explanation of how that anti-nuke tune grew out of a car trip to Scotland with your father and grandmother.
Your stories behind the songs are what made the show extra special. Hearing of your sister Jennie – who inspired the songs The Levels (with nice slide guitar by Butler) and Hendra (an exquisitely touching tribute) – and her passing made the evening even more poignant.
Changing pace, you all rocked out with more songs with somber subjects: The Gun and the tragic but upbeat Nathaniel, with Ditcham in particular keeping a blistering rhythm. What an astute move to bring on board Butler: he was spot on throughout but didn’t show off and overshadow you, whether you were on guitar or piano.
The wistful Bricks And Wood was so sad, showing sometimes you literally can’t go home again. Looking forward to reading your new book about your parents, Romany And Tom. One of the most outstanding numbers of the set was Golden Ratio. You said this song was about living in the moment, yet to me this recalled more early solo stuff, especially with its pensive guitar chords. Loved it.
I was walking again along North Marine Drive getting soaked and running up Box Hill, hair flying in the wind. Oops, we’ve moved on, I know, I know. Oh Ben, didn’t want you to go. Could have listened all night. Next time, don’t make me – I mean us – wait so damn long between visits!
words RHONDA LEE REALI photos SIMON AYRE