Blues blow blues away

By Virginia Winder

It’s a dark Friday night with the promise of rain.

All week I’ve been had moments of dipping into gloom. It’s mid-winter and while the sunshine has made a difference this week, nothing have been able to shake the hints of a downward slide.

Juliet McLean and friends play in the basement of Pianoworks

Then I wander down a city back alley and into the basement of Pianoworks.

And I am submerged in live music.

I sit at the back and count all the people in the audience who are friends, people dear to my heart.

They are all here to listen to Juliet McLean and friends play beautiful music.

There’s Hamish Cameron on electric bass and double bass, Matt Herrett on electric and slide guitars, Rob Ju on drums and a guest, named Wellington, on violin.

Juliet sits behind her keyboard singing uplifting and moving songs, many from her EP, The Dance. In this one set, there’s a waltz, a tango, the blues, jazz and songs that soothe my soul.

And that’s exactly what does happen – the blues blow the blues away.

Afterwards I got enough hugs to last me a month, although I’m always keen for more.

What the music did was allow me to be transported, to disappear into a world of words and swirling sound. I was absolutely there, in that moment, and part of an intently listening audience.

This was a pop-up gig and they are so good. They are intimate, welcoming and you can be close to the musicians, to the action and sound.

Renny M at Dee and Dave Pope's house

About a month weeks ago, I went to another great pop-up gig at my friend Dee and Dave Pope’s home. That was starring Renny M. Her music also touched me because of her words of raw honesty and a voice that reminds me a little of Tracy Chapman.

If you’re in Taranaki, there’s a lot of gigs going on. There are concerts at Studio 64 in Inglewood, Singer Songwriters New Plymouth at Little Theatre, shows at the 4^th Wall Theatre and more pop-up performances on the horizon. If you get the chance, say yes and go.

You’ll be among friends, even if you haven’t met them yet.

Today, I’m still feeling nourished by last night’s outing. By singer-songwriters who put themselves out there for little return except to entertain us. By the good will of an audience attentive to every word, every nuance.

But mostly I feel full up with live music and its magical powers of healing.