Treehorn, Up all night at The Studio, Charing Cross Road, London 26 September 2002
It's a year since I reviewed Treehorn
and I'm intrigued to see how they've developed. Last year playing in an "atmospheric" pub in
Camden Lock; this year up West, with all points in between in the
interim period.
The Studio was being refurbished and tonight the "Up
all night" session was being held over the
road at the posh Radius venue. The band looked a
bit uncomfortable as the crowd was
largely after work - good time - office party, who didn't look like a listening
audience.
Last year Treehorn were a 2 guitar
harmony duo; this year - and here let me declare a further interest
(although I had nothing to do with it) - there's the addition of drums and sons
Dan and Joe on bass and mandolin/banjo/harmonica respectively. Last year the songs
were gloomy, slow funk, like latter day James Taylor. This year it's upbeat.
You can dance to it - and people did.
The band and their sound bedded down during the first couple
of songs, Dan's bass could be heard to be busy, interesting and complementary
to the songs. Joe's mandolin, banjo and harmonica added necessary colour; it
was good to hear folky
instruments given an electric rock outing and these songs suit them well. Paul's drums hold it all
together and his harmonies strengthen the vocals; it will be good both
acoustically and visually, if the Dan and Joe sing too.
Nick is a charismatic performer who now writes all the
songs. There is plenty of variety from the bluesy "Green Mill" to the
pacey "When the sun's at your back". There
are 3 songs from the first CD. "Jester parade" is familiarly quiet
and reflective but "Gentle fears and harmonies" and "The king
and I" - about Elvis - are now really rhythmic and more accessible to a
wider audience. The crowd love them.
With a possible change of name to Bachelor Jack, there is a keyboard player, Marcus, waiting in the wings to
join and a new CD almost finished. Catch this band if you can. Email: info@bachelorjack.com
to get on their mailing list.
First published on www.garageradio.com
Copyright © John Scott Cree 2002
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