"Wow, such a lot of people," exclaimed a poncho-clad Samantha P. as The Be Good Tanyas took the stage last night at the Borderline in front of (yet another) full house. Not sure they can quite figure how the heck this has all happened so quickly (Blue Horse has just entered the UK country music chart at no.7). Must be, in no small part, a testament to the power of radio; despite having a refreshingly casual, non-slick approach to the whole business, they've hardly missed a trick, making 4 or 5 national radio appearances during their UK visit. (Don't tell me, you missed the Woman's Hour interview - worry not, it's here.)
A good-natured London crowd were well-disposed to the Tanyas' light, airy sounds. The set, by turns sombre and joyous, included half-a-dozen songs from Blue Horse and, in addition to the sprinkling of covers/standards, one or two originals not on the album, but sounding just as potent. Much of the album features double bass; without it, their natural sound lacks a little, er, 'bottom'. (The addition of 3 members of Aussie band The Waifs late on beefed the sound up a bit.) Given the runaway success of this trip, maybe the tour budget will stretch to a bass player next time round.
There's a personal take on their Glasgow show over at the Andy Kershaw/Radio3 site ... and this from the Herald: "A neologism enters jurisprudence: Tanyacide."

From the Paul Simon/McCartney school of songwriting, David Mead brings his brand of mature, pristine pop to the UK in April:
13 Manchester Hop And Grape
14 Warwick Arts Centre
15 Middlesbrough Cornerhouse
16 Glasgow King Tuts
17 Aberdeen Lava
18 Dundee Westport Bar
21 Bristol Fleece And Firkin
22 Leeds New Roscoe
23 London Dingwalls
24 Leicester Princess Charlotte
25 Cambridge Boat Race
28 Dublin Whelans