Originally posted 16th
July 2014 here. Moved to this blog with slight continuity edits
as part of the creation of a music-only blog in October 2014.
Chas ‘n’ Dave – St George's Beckenham
Well – what is there to say? I don’t think CnD’s music
particularly suits a traditional church setting – for me they will always be
better hear in the low-ceilinged social club. Perhaps on a holiday camp in
Camber Sands. And incongruous only begins to describe the dancing and drinking
(strictly BYO – the communion wine was safely locked away).
If I was looking for words to describe Chas n Dave’s music, I
would certainly go for ‘fun’ but also ‘efficiency’. You probably can’t be in
the game and touring every five minutes for five decades without getting it
down to a fine art. But they are a tight band, doing things well, but with real
economy of effort – songs are incredibly well drilled, and I felt that if I had
seen them any other night, the performance would have been the same. I don’t
mean this as a criticism – but it’s as near to one end of the spontaneity
continuum as it is possible to be without a backing track. (The other end –
Dylan – about a mile further along than anyone else!).
My other key observation – Chas Hodges sits really high up to play
the piano – if I invoke the spirit of Peter Hook here some of you will know
what I mean. I don’t know why – but it interests me.
But it was tremendous fun anyway – how can you pass on Chas ’n’
Dave?
