Phil Miller's In Cahoots
St Johns Arts Centre
Harlow, England Oct 6th 2001
If there was any
justice in the world In Cahoots would be playing regularly to
hundreds of people instead of the thirty or so in attendance at
Harlow and the recent Colchester gig. On a similar note if these
guys were US based I am sure they could be as 'big' as Weather
Report or the rather sterile Chick Corea electric combos.
Phil Miller's In Cahoots comprises Phil (Matching Mole, Hatfield
& The North, National Health) on guitar, Elton Dean (Soft
Machine) on saxes, Pip Pyle (Gong, Hatfields, National Health) on
drums, Fred Baker on bass and Pete Lemer (Barbara Thompson's
bands I think) on keyboards. On this occasion they were joined
for, I think three numbers, by Doug Boyle (Caravan, Robert Plant)
on guitar. What a line up and what great music!
The band play predominantly Miller compositions which for the
uninitiated lie somewhere in the zone between 'jazz' (whatever
that really means) and the works of some of the 70's bands listed
above that Phil was in. It's intriguing, fascinating and
heartfelt music with none of the banality and glibness that one
finds in the slick US 'fusion' outfits' and worse still the
turgid nonsense that dominates daytime Jazz FM in the UK. I saw a
review somewhere that Phil's compositions are in the Zappa class.
I would have to agree with this although they occupy a totally
different musical space. It's not Hatfield and the North (although
they played a superb version of 'Underdub') or National Health
but with it's contemporary electric sound it will appeal to
anyone who likes the music of those bands, it's very much a
logical development from them.
I didn't know all of the numbers that they played but 'Half Life'
from the superb 1996 'Parallel' CD was there as were I believe a
few numbers from the more recent 'Out of The Blue' CD (purchased
on the evening). The musicianship throughout was superb with
stunning solos from Elton, Fred, Pete and Phil himself. Doug's
work too was technically amazing but I personally found it a
little out of keeping with the rest of the music and perhaps a
little too technical. Phil's unique guitar style was as always a
joy to hear but next time Phil turn yourself up a bit!
I can't say more than go see this band or failing that buy one of
the CD's mentioned above. This is some of the best music being
written and played in the UK today, don't miss out.
http://www.philmiller-incahoots.co.uk/
David
Weston
October 2001
Copyright Bathtub of Adventures 2001
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