No-one could have predicted the significance
and quirk of fate that lay in the title of the album that propelled
Chris Helme to international stardom some three years ago, no
one probably cared at the time. But if irony was ever apparent
in anyone's design, Chris Helme is smoothing over the cracks and
getting his musical ambition back on track after much documented
outbursts related to his previous life, but rather than coincidences
they would be better described as "omens".
The Seahorses "Do it Yourself" debut and only album was a massive success through a joint collaboration of John Squire and Chris Helme, The bright and colourful tunes boasted melody, guile and a seeming desire to create a new and discerning pop band, too much pop for some critics, but then some crytics wouldn't know a good tune even if it was slapping them in the face. Just over a year later, the band ceased, leaving us with the one album legacy and The Shirehorses! From the album three hits occurred "Love is The Law", "Blinded by the Sun" and "Love Me and Leave Me" of which "Blinded by the Sun" was a Helme composition and probably the best of the batch. Musical differences and direction finally put paid to any follow-up album and ultimately any follow-up anything as Helme and Squire publicly fell out, disbanding rather than dismembering!! So Helme now at the helm, if you like.
The evening lifted of with the Lo-Beams whom we missed but according to Breathe, they were shit, so it didn't matter. But then again Chris said that Breathe were shit and I thought they were excellent, with Justin Jamieson on vocals commanding the attention and demonstrating the art of stand-up comedy fused with dominating vocals, all focefully glued together like Araldite with their fusion punk/pop. Confusing? Not really, this was all light-hearted banter, just in case anyone takes offence, and so it continued even into Chris' set.
So, it's with some relief to Chris that he is now doing it himself, he has no-one to answer to and no-one to manipulate and create constraints for his definite musical ability. Helme took to the small and comforting environment of The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge. A rather large crowd in a not so large room greeted Chris with an "are you really here" sort of acknowledgement. Obviously delighted to see the man in such close quarters, but still pinching themselves to confirm reality. The opening tune "Hello" again represents yet another irony. An obvious opener and it reaffirms Chris is back "..I hope you're still my friend.."but irony, it was the last song The Seahorses recorded on their album.
Chris still has a brilliant voice and delivered "Hello" just as I remembered it from the album, it was an inviting and familiar start. Chris appeared totally relaxed and was happy to chat with the crowd, well, if he hadn't, it could have been embarrassing as they were virtually sat on his lap. Chris was joined by James Nesbitt (St.Etienne) on twelve string as he careered through his new set of material. "Ditty", "Spike" and possible single "Matter of Time" which in my mind would fair pretty well against any current chart contender. Throughout the hour and a half long set all the songs performed were, and are, of a bright disposition and hold their own allure, there's an unmistakable precision and character to Chris' writing, the performance, the application and the delivery is full of fervour and Chris' own personal attributes. He does own a great voice and he has natural trait that permits him to emanate with gusto and manouvre between notes, and it's a pleasure to listen to. It was difficult to believe that I almost lost track of the night and forgot about Chris' flagship "Blinded by the Sun" which was the penultimate track of the evening and one which ".... made me very rich, but I've spent it now..."Chris smiles. Well, I'm sure he'll earn it again, the hard work is being recognized and accepted, and already having had one bite of the cherry will spur and aid Helme to be once again at the forefront, but at least this time it'll be on his own terms.
At a time when there's Richard Ashcroft mania with the release of his solo album imminent, Helme and his acoustic viagra are seemingly neglected and overshadowed from some of the narrow-minded and shortsighted media. Helme is a natural, his music is inspired and his vision now unimpaired and on this evidence I believe he's done the best thing possible. Took a step back for a while, recomposed and now hungry again and doing it all on his own terms, with the help of a few mates. "...this is the best evening I've had in a long time..." he says gleefully at the end of the night and hopefully at the start of a new dawn for himself. A great night and given time, how we will brag about the time we saw the Chris Helme at The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge. Our thanks to Paul Crossland for putting the evening together, any chance of Bob Dylan or Lou Reed next month?
My mate came up from London last week and being a bit of a gigmeister he called me about an item he'd read in Sounds. "Seahorses on at The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, are we up for it?" Bit of a coup for them, I thought, especially as The Seahorses have split up. On further investigation it turned out to be former Seahorses frontman Chris Helme road-testing some new material. All in all it sounded like a show not to be missed.
The Lion Inn is an amazing place - top of the world. A million miles from the neon orange glow of Teesside. A million miles from anywhere, arguably the most difficult leg of The Lyke Wake Walk. The restaurant space was surrendered to a totally packed house drawn from York, Teesside and all the villages around.
The
first of three acts from York, the aptly named Lo-Beams, revelled
in the atmosphere beneath the timber beams of a ceiling a mere
7ft above the floor. Music with an easy flow. Smooth, melodic.
Focusing on the sensitive, floating vocals. Guitar, keyboards,
bass, drums paint the pastoral landscape. They've just put out
an excellant five-song CD, called Lo-Beams, well worth tracking
down.
There's a bit of a contrast now from fellow Yorkites Breathe. Snappy, post-punky pop is sliced up and spiked through by the roving voice and stand-up gagaholic Justin Jamieson. Bouncy bass, effected guitar, driving drums. Comortably predictable melodies but ever disconcerting, twisted, tortuous lyrics. Justin is constrained by space tonight so he paces like a caged beast, finding his release through his barbed and hilarious tongue. A real experience.
Then came Mr Chris Helme, accompanied by ex-St.Etienne guitarist James Nesbitt or playing solo. He held the audience in a spell from his very first "Shut Up" call to the final encore. I was never a follower of The Seahorses, but this was something else. Fragile, but always controlled, there's a real golden, glowing beauty to his music. Crafted songs, compelling lyrics. I was totally gripped by that wraparound voice and the sweet, sweet sound of his acoustic guitar.
A moving experience. What a great night!
The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge is one of those places you can't quite believe exists. To describe it as being set in the middle of nowhere is an insult to the stunning moors and valleys that surround it. From outside the pub a thick blanket of nature is all you can see. And in the distance you can hear the soft and muffled cries of two American tourists who have strayed from the path and are being turned into Werewolves.
The location then of probably one of the stranger gigs Chris Helme has played in his extremely diverse career. His recent successful Theatre Royal outing introduced much of the new material to his hometown fans and many London sets are bringing the post-Seahorses stuff to a wider audience. After an absence from the limelight following the birth of his son, Chris is playing more and more - once again building up the buzz that inevitably follows his song writing talents and stunning voice.
The performance took place in a packed room attached to the main pub, with support acts the Lo-Beams and Breathe kicking off the night. After two such fine bands Chris came on to a well oiled audience. An audience that included many of his York fans, but also people, who you sensed, were taking a "go on impress me" attitude, for such is the curse of the "ex-Seahorses" tag.
However the all new and sparkling Chris Helme is far removed from those days, with the emphasis of a Chris Helme gig being on Chris Helme. And such are the man's skills that any doubters were soon converted. The laid back songs are often built around his acrobatic voice and reflect his Van Morrison / Tim Buckley singer-songwriter influences.
The set was good-humoured and it was obvious that Chris was enjoying the night's gig. Clear, not only from his fantastic rendition of "Blinded by the Sun", but also the laudable state of drunkeness he attained with the fans straight after the set.
And outside an American sprouted hair...........
It's eccentric rock n'roll behaviour that makes the papers and Breathe's singer Justin manages something strange every month without fail. After supporting Chris Helme at The Lion Inn, Justin decided to go fishing and at 4am waded fully clothed into a nearby river. He later emerged soaked through, with his pockets full of fish.
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