Live Reviews

WITCHES WELL AWAKE FOR FINALE

All good things have to come to an end was the theme as an emotional Waking the Witch performed as a band for the last time. The girls have solo careers to pursue, but tonight was the last time they will perform together as Waking the Witch.

The Witch’s support, Anna Neale, a unique acoustic guitarist from Woking, kicked off the evening with a varied set encompassing strong guitar strumming with a powerful voice to match. The red headed, sassy singer’s highlight was the groovy ‘lounge-pop’ number ‘Soul Momma’ which allowed her to exhibit her fantastic range of vocals.

Neale couldn’t have been a better introduction for the trio of Witches that graced the stage to perform what was, unfortunately, their last ever performance together. Getting the crowd’s feet tapping gently to start off with, ‘Only Human’ was the first song of the night and it set the precedent for the quality of the music set to come throughout the evening.

After a few lighting adjustments- ‘we can barely see Jools’ prompting the concert promoter into action the set became a little more laid back with ‘Through and through’ a song strangely inspired by the Friends Re-united website! ‘Change’, from the second of their three albums, introduced Patsy Matheson on the mandolin, a wonderful addition to the ethereal sounds produced by the girls. Top of the Hill’, the last song of the first set, was played as the first thank you of the evening, dedicated to their PR manager and ‘Always one like her’ got the crowd going again after the girls ‘yakked’-a ‘Yorkshireism’ coined by Rachel Goodwin- to loyal fans during the drinks interval.

Despite missing the fourth member- Becky Mills due to maternity leave, the trio continued to impress with one of the three taking the lead and the other two supplying the echoic ‘oh’s and ah’s’ accompanied by some exceptional guitar work by all three of the girls.

Picking out the weak points of this band would be an arduous task as they work as a team so well together. Each band member compliments the other two so perfectly it is as though they possess the same magical powers as their name suggests. ‘Again and again’ was the perfect example of this collectiveness with all three guitars in perfect harmony. Patsy Matheson’s mandolin tingling the senses mixing the potion of love-inspired songs to create a spell-binding concoction.

With the final introductions done, dusted and rightly applauded, the girls set about capping their career as a band in style with the terrific ‘Like everybody’ which exemplified the reason why you can’t help falling in love with this band and their music. Even the first-timers, myself included, couldn’t help but feel a tad sad that this fantastic combination are never to conjure up one of their sterling performances ever again.

Waking the Witch couldn’t, of course, get away without doing an encore and they picked a song that pretty much summed up how all three girls were feeling – ‘I can’t breathe’. Holding back the tears for the final song they finished with a collective bow to their adoring audience and with their thank you’s and goodbye’s completed they exited the stage for the final time.

Greg Lewry 26/04/08

DVD - WAKING THE WITCH ‘Live' Voiceprint (2007)

Recorded at the City Varieties in Leeds this is a very good lived recording of this wonderful female four piece folk/rock/indie band. They are joined by a rhythm section plus a cellist and harmonica player. Eleven songs in all with personal highlights being ‘Jenny Thornton', the blissful ‘Rock n Roll' and ‘Me Leaving Me'. The good thing about this band is that each member has a strong vocal, which work well on their own and even better when all four join together in harmony! Bonus feature is a band interview which gives insight into their live and recording habits plus live highlights and more.

A very enjoyable live DVD, with good sound quality throughout. Sadly though this could be the band's swansongs as they plan to call it day in early 2008 after another UK tour.
****
Jason Ritchie
(Please email info@wakingthewitch.co.uk for info on how to purchase the DVD)

The Studio, Hartlepool , 4th May 2007

Now then, I don't know if there are any music lovers who go to a gig not knowing anything about the band's music, or who they are. Well that's exactly what happened to me as a surprise birthday present. The band in question were Waking the Witch, and what a treat it was, not taking long before I was under their spell and have remained a fan ever since. This gig at the Studio I had looked forward to for some time, as I was keen to listen to the new material from their new album ‘Boys from the Abattoir'. Opening with a few quiet numbers, Poet of Harlem and Jenny Thornton, (which the band continued to perform despite annoying chatting from the back), you instantly knew you were in for a cracking night. Their trademark of clever arrangements, beautiful harmonies, and outstanding guitar playing was clear for all to see. The set ended with three songs off the new album, and I was amazed to see, just how much more professional and mature they sounded since last seeing them. During the break they were on hand to chat, which I always like about bands. In the second half we were treated to a mix of songs old and new. There were a few surprises in stall too, which included some slide playing, and jaw harp from Bex; the playing of a few percussive instruments and a droopy mic stand again for Pats. You couldn't help but think just how talented they were. Here was a band that sounded fresh, fun, not afraid to try new ideas, and playing all original songs. Everyone seemed to be just as spellbound as me, and they ended with my favourite songs, Waking Hour, and I Can't Breathe. Returning to the stage for a final encore, the Witches brought to an end memorable evening.

Conrad Powers, The Crack Magazine

25th feb 2007 - the Musistadl, Limekilns

The concept of the house gig is fairly new to me but is a very personal way to experience music. The band found the experience, with the close proximity of their audience, a bit daunting to begin with but very quickly settled into a very focussed performance. The atmosphere in the room was relaxed as we all settled down to appreciate the music and the rapport with the girls.

The first set played by the band was varied in both mood and style. They opened with Poet of Harlem and then played Jenny Thornton & the Boys from the Abattoir from their latest album. I particularly enjoyed Spring Song featuring Bex supported by Rachel on percussion.

Jools has a very rich velvety voice which suited the songs she was singing. The vocal support of the other girls complemented this. The range of songs allowed each performer to demonstrate their vocal style as well as brilliant musical accompaniment for each other.

The second set opened with Rock n Roll sung by Pats, a very loving song. My favourite piece was Always One Like Her where Becky played the Jews harp beautifully and must have ended up with very tingly lips! The band finished the gig in great style, playing Yorkshire Boy followed by Horse to Water, both from their Boys from the Abattoir album and then gave an encore of I Can't Breathe.

The end of the performance came too soon! The intimate atmosphere of the concert and the rapport between everyone led to a very enjoyable afternoon for both the band and the audience. I look forward to seeing Waking the Witch again next time they are in Scotland.

Bill Gresty www.americana-uk.com

3rd feb 2007 - Windsor, Arts Centre

A new venue to me, being an old fire station converted into a very snazzy arts centre, complete with good acoustics in the main auditorium. First up was singer/songwriter Jon Redfern who was joined by a backing band consisting of a bass player, keyboards/acoustic guitar and a cellist, making for an eclectic musical mix and a very strong set of songs. Very rock 'n' roll moment when he admitted they had been at the pub prior to the gig and had forgot to compile a set list although you'd never now given the strong musicianship on display.

Waking the Witch, the four piece female vocal phenomena, are touring in support of their recently released third album ‘The Boys From the Abattoir', a stunning album full of vocal and musical delights. The four band members each have distinctive vocal styles and combined they provide one of the best harmonies I've heard since the early days of Clannad. Stripped of a backing band they rely simply on their voices and acoustic guitars (with a bit of mandolin), rattling through a set heavily based on their new album including the title track, ‘Spring Song' (if the harmonies on this one don't move you must be clinically dead!) and ‘Rock n Roll' (not the Led Zep version). Highlight for me was ‘Yorkshire Boy', a very jaunty number and one you could easily envisage getting played on BBC Radio 2 etc.

An excellent night of acoustic/vocal based music and both artists are well worth checking out, especially Waking the Witch who are simply one of the best female fronted folk/acoustic bands out there today.
Jason Ritchie www.getreadytorock.com

25th January 2007 - City Varieties, Leeds

THE individual members of Waking the Witch are all established artists in their own right, but they've undoubtedly garnered more column inches for their work together.

Half way into their set, the reason for this becomes obvious. Their distinct writing styles and voices complement one another and balance out their separate strengths and weaknesses. 

This means that Patsy Matheson's spiky country songs can contain Jools Parker's blues pitch, while Rachel Goodwin and Becky Mills can compete against one another for the best folk offering.
The combined result has seen the Leeds-based outfit likened to the Mamas and the Papas, but, in reality, tracks like Horse to Water and Dissatisfied Heart have more in common with the mainstream folk-rock of Karine Polwart. 

The pull of Radio Two is never far away, but it's when they're accompanied by Mick Bedford on drums and Jon Short on bass that the material becomes overly comfortable, placing them to the right of Sarah McLachlan.

Far better is when they appear as an acoustic four-piece, with Matheson's occasional mandolin lending them a more rootsy feel. 

Yorkshire Boy, from upcoming third album Boys From the Abattoir, is especially effective in combining roots with a strong pop sensibility. 

Their decision to hire Dave Creffield as the long player's producer suggests that they're intent on breaking the indie rock market, but, on tonight's showing, they're unlikely to appeal to the fans of his previous charges Embrace and the Kaiser Chiefs. 

As such, it would make more sense to concentrate on their close harmonies, well-crafted lyrics and solid heartland of ageing hipsters.
SUSAN DARLINGTON, The Morning Star

25th January 2007 - City Varieties, Leeds

It is unfortunate that some promoters do not inform their theatre going public correctly about their shows. I arrived at City Varieties expecting to see the West Yorkshire band Waking the Witch performing at 8 pm, which is what had been advertised in the theatre's programme.

As it turned out, I had to wait until well after 9 pm for the band to appear on stage…

However, the waiting was worth it as they plied the audience with songs from their new album “Boys from the Abattoir” as well as a number of old favourites from previous albums, “Like Everybody” and “Hands and Bridges”. I always find it difficult to write song titles in the dark of the theatre and as the sound engineer did not have a running sheet of the performance I could not even get these at the end, so rather than guessing, I would urge all readers to go and buy the new album so they can hear what they missed if they did not attend on Thursday night. All I know, from reading the song titles on the album, “Boys from the Abattoir” is that I think virtually all the songs were performed by the band this evening.

The album has been produced by Dave Creefield, famous for his work with well-known Leeds band Embrace, and also with The Kaiser Chiefs. Dave heard about Waking the Witch following their performance at the Leeds Independent Music Awards in Jan 2006, when members of the Kaisers and Embrace were in the audience. Immediately his interest was aroused, as the band was hailed as being tied in with the explosion of interest in the Leeds music scene. The result of this partnership can be seen in this new 10-song album that brings an edgier, more urban Waking the Witch than has been heard previously. Still very much in evidence, are the four girls' trademark acoustic guitars and lush vocal harmonies but this time round, all the songs are backed by a powerful rhythm section.

The band exploded onto the UK acoustic music live circuit in 2004 and no one really knew quite how to pigeon hole them. Audiences and reviewers alike raved and waxed lyrical about this new all girl rootsy, bluesy, folksy, jazzy, rocky outfit, - they enthused about how well they played their guitars – how excellently their four voices worked together – and how innovative their songs were - but they puzzled and scratched their heads about how to categorise the music. There really was nothing quite like them. And, 3 years later, with three highly acclaimed albums to their credit, and a shed load of gigging experience – it has to be said, quite where this band fits, until very, very recently has remained a mystery, but now, with the release of this album, and the fusion of Creffield's indie influences and the Witches acoustic roots, Waking the Witch have become the instigators of a new genre of roots music, ‘indie acoustic'.

This certainly showed in the concert, which had the near-capacity audience at City Varieties captivated throughout the two hours. As a guitar player myself for nigh on forty years, although never reaching the dizzy heights of my cousin Dave Burland from Barnsley , I marvelled in the intricacies of their playing. I am sure that they are going to follow in the footsteps of Embrace and The Kaiser Chiefs and be really big in 2007.
(John Burland - Dine Direct Theatre Reviewer)

25th January 2007 - City Varieties, Leeds

At last, it seems, the world is waking up to Waking The Witch, that “distinctly spicy” girl-band based in Leeds who (saith their press release) have just coined a whole new category of music – “indie-acoustic”. They've also been called Britain 's answer to the Wailin' Jennys… Well, there's an element of truth therein, certainly, but Spice Gals they ain't – for there's nowt shallow and vacuous about these feisty, confident ladies (and they're far better looking too IMHO)! All of witch (sic) would count for nought if their music were crap – which it sure ain't. Right, let's shift the hyperbole out of the way and concentrate on just what makes Waking The Witch such a contender. Basically, each of the four girls (Patsy Matheson, Becky Miller, Jools Parker and Rachel Goodwin) is a very fine singer and songwriter in her own right (and no slouch as guitarist etc either – OK no Carthy but you get the drift); each of them has a strongly individual and recognisable performing and writing style and a distinctive singing voice. And yet, when the four strikingly different musical personalities come together as a unit to communicate each other's songs out into the wider world they're so complementary and together it hurts (in a thoroughly positive and challenging way I mean). They've worked real hard on getting the chemistry and balance right, and it shows; they enjoy what they're doing and believe in it 200%, their attitude is mature and professional and highly savvy, and – important – they do actually have something to say, not just concerned with putting on a show for the sake of it. All of these qualities were totally in evidence at the recent launch gig for their third album Boys From The Abattoir at the famous Leeds venue….

…Waking The Witch unassumingly took the stage and began their first set almost before anyone had realised it was curtains-up. Poet Of Harlem from their debut album, segued really well into the catchy title track of their latest, showing almost incidentally just how much their writing and performing has developed and matured in that short space of time and yet how identifiably the key elements of their sound (luscious, bold and creative vocal harmonies, and often intriguing guitar work) had been there right from the start and form a strong link to their current music. The whole set-list was perfectly  paced, showcasing eight of the eleven songs from the new album alongside three from their debut and four from Hands And Bridges ; the evening was structured to make the best of the sheer variety of moods and emotions their songs encompass, from the delicate impressionism of Spring Song to the heady rap of Horse To Water , the pounding “gothic anthem” Me Leaving Me to the chiming mando-riffing of the unbearably catchy Yorkshire Boy , while also even managing to include a so-far-unreleased song Dissatisfied Heart . Again and again I was struck by what amazing voices the girls have, each taking due credit in the spotlight. The first portion of each set featured just the four girls themselves (I could've said in stripped-down mode, but that might give the entirely wrong impression!), with the openers of set 2 (Patsy's great new love-song Rock'n'Roll and Becky's sensitive, spine-tingling Man Of Moon ) providing especially memorable moments. Instrumental reinforcement was brought on in the form of bassist Jon Short and drummer Mick Bedford, who generated a crisp, edgy, driving beat that perfectly reflected and propelled the songs' rhythmic focus. Extra guests John Burr (harmonica) and Fluff (cello, violin) provided ideal additional colour and texture where needed. Not to mention Becky's “jaw-breaking” feat on the otherwise acappella Always One Like Her !… I Can't Breathe and a show-stopping, punchy rendition of Like Everybody gave us the encore the occasion clearly demanded. The gig has been recorded for a DVD release (which should be out by the time you read this). This was a seriously cool evening, which augurs really well for the rest of the band's extended tour (it stretches on into April, so do try and catch them).
David Kidman, Stirrings