Sinister: Gimble Wabes Gig

[David Moore]

Hi Sinisterines,

(I see that Chris plays guitar left-handed)

Yesterday's day of culcher kicked off at the Royal Academy to see the Monet
exhibition, continued at the Tate to see everything from Gainsborough to
Damien Hirst and thence to the Improv, to watch the two short films, Les
Mistons (The Bicycle Saddle Sniffers) and The Red Balloon. The second film
nearly didn't start, but the situation was heroically rescued by the video
tech (red hair, arms of sex) who later appeared on stage, nonchalantly
leaning against a pillar, chewing gum and playing bass with The Gentle
Waves. 

In contrast to reports of the Leeds gig, Isobel did not appear to be
nervous, and she directed the rest of the band in such a crisp manner that
there was little farting around between songs. In fact I reckon they were
only on stage for about 45 minutes, playing most of the album except for
Weathershow: Hangman In The Shadow, Evensong (French Version), Renew &
Restore, Emanuelle, Skating On Thin Ice, Rose, I Love You, Dirty Snow For
The Broken Ground, A Chapter In The Life Of Mathiew, To Salt A Scar. Can't
be sure if they played Tree Lullaby & Enchanted Place: I think so the
former, less certain of the latter. Five songs not on the album were aired:
Loretta Young, Grazing In The Grass (Mick Trumpet lead instrumental),
Pretty Things, Kinky Love and recently written Flood. 

The sound was excellent, the vocals were strong & confident, and
multi-instrumental talent abounded (including new member Margaret Smith).
The audience not only stood up :) but seemed pretty appreciative
considering the fact that presumably most of the material was unfamiliar.
Personal favourite  ...Mathiew gleaned the most applause and crowd reaction
to all the subsequent songs seemed warmer. (Or maybe that was due to the
appeal of Isobel singing about Kinky Love......)

It seems that gig professionalism can improv(e) without affecting the
quality of the music, which augurs well for the Bowlie. Very well done,
chaps!

The upside down badge trick didn't work, but maybe that's due to the
darkened venue, or the fact that those Jeepster badges are so tiny!

David Moore
Chelmsford, UK 
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