NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC
NIGHTS
What we said about
the
LUCKY BAGS
7/10/00
LUCKY BAGS ENJOY HOME TURF
Maybe you liked the patter, maybe you only loved the music. In the end, it didn't much matter, last Saturday night at the King's Head in Allendale, because by the end the Lucky Bags had rolled out enough music to thrill everyone, eliciting two encores, selling loadsaCDs, and enjoying their sojourn on home turf as much as their audience enjoyed them.
Let's face it, get five strong women up on stage, real women with welly, and unless you've got a jackbooted po-faced manager, or an unflinching heavy amongst the group, you're going to get a certain amount of friendly chat. Besides providing some moments of genuine humour, it turned out that the ripostes and counter-quips all helped to settle the band down for an extended second half that left some in the audience with tears in their eyes over the sheer beauty of the tune.
Now let's see, was that during Emma Welton's enchanting fiddle spot, or was it on Julie-Ann Kay's affecting song to young love, 'Reelin me in'? Was it during Judy Dinning's soft but sensational 'No Goodbyes', or perhaps it was on the syncopated harmonies of 'Bonny at Morn', the triumphant recognition of a Northumbrian heritage by these women making contemporary music here in the county.
It's been too long since we heard Judy's vaulting soaring melodies, and Zena Tubmen's deep harmonies set off both voices so nicely. Everone roared and winked along with another Northumbrian tune, 'Broom Bezoms' lead by Zena, while the intricate instrumentals from Liz Law's dulcimers and Julie-Ann's harp contrasted with shared guitar rhythms and melodies from Zena's concertina. Did I mention the Friesland rhythm sticks, or Julie-Ann's accordian? Or Emma's shakey egg? Wonderful fun, and such a great sense of audience participation and joy at seeing musical friends again.
It's got to be hard to get new numbers together when each of the band members has separate individual musical interests, to say nothing of family responsibilities, as well. And it seems churlish to wish for more songs when we've got the twenty-eight already on two CDs. But we'd surely like to hear some new material when these strong women get back together to the Dale. Put a new CD together, Luckies, and come and see us again!
