Royal Albert Hall, 22.11.10

Warning: having finished this, it is more of a personal reflection on stuff and not a review as such- feel free to read, but just warning in advance!!

I realised as I set about my journey home from work and visiting a friend and her lovely twins that I had not written anything about last night yet here, although I had said I would. Perhaps a mixture of there not really being any proper time and also knowing that it is not like there are a hundred people waiting to read the words I will write!! I know I have said this before, and I will be boring by saying it again, but I am contemplating again sort of leaving this blog a bit, in a peaceful way... it is not really needed as Martha's own website and forum and facebook page are up and running and here it is mostly just my little idlings which I can quite happily keep to myself or write directly to people who may be interested to hear them.

Anyway, as always with everything in life we shall see! Actually, perhaps in truth I did not write anything straight away as I was not sure what I felt like saying. It is sort of a blur in a way. If I am truly honest I did not come away with the feeling of 'oh my goodness that was a completely fantastic concert!" and I don't necessarily mean that in a negative way as it is not a requirement that one must feel that way to appreciate everything. This was always going to be a difficult and emotional concert. I think as much as I think it is a nice venue, I am one for smaller venues where there is a more personal relationship going on. I also think I appreciated the energy and companionship that was created by events such as the Meltdown concert and the RAH last year. Maybe that is the mood I am in! I know this was a totally different affair, and having said that sentence just now, even alone on the stage with her guitar, Martha as ever really connected with the audience and filled the space truly.

The songs chosen were the ones of most anguish I felt. I do always like the now frequent opener of 'I wish I were' as it always seems like such a good introduction to the wanting to be a singer and now she is kind of thing- we all wish we were something... (well most people) but also the expectation that comes before a show and a connecting with the audience. Straight into 'Four Black Sheep' a great song lyrically and musically, and if I remember rightly was just before Martha started talking about the topic of wanting to be free and then the song she wrote when she was 21. She mentioned that this was the venue of their last performance with her mother.

For me the theme of freedom and escapism and wanting it was a significant one. Rufus mentioned it too later. I also know it is something that I can hugely identify with. Not quite knowing myself what it is that I want to get to/achieve, there is something about a feeling of freedom that seems central always to my desires. My life is in some of it's aspects probably quite boring when I compare it with others in the way of being free. I think I could live a much freer life than I do in a variety of ways and on a variety of levels. I am not saying that there has been nothing freeing in my life- as it is exactly those moments and aspects that I find the most refreshing and positive- touching something close to my true desire that has been buried. (Or something corny and cliché like that!) I also know it is about the way you look at things and live in the now as such. That's probably enough on that topic, but I will say that I guess one positive thing that I have tried to gain from my own mother's death is a feeling that in some way her death can help me to be freer. Sounds weird and I won't self indulge with the topic too much further, but freedom was a theme for me of the night. It might also be a reason why even before I felt quite sure of not chatting too much with other fans and stuff there, as it sometimes prevents me from being as free as I can be in one way. (This is nothing against other fans.)

Anyway, back to the show! Well, it was nice to be able to hear 'Year of the Dragon' for the first time live for me. Martha said her mum really liked the song and the thing about freedom and that was why she was performing it. I will listen to it again from 'The McGarrigle Hour' because I think it is a song that I have not listened to much. 'Leave Behind' which I already liked, I like even more now. Then was 'Baby' and 'This Life', possibly in reverse order than the one I just wrote. For me though the hi-light of the opening bit was when Brad joined on piano and Martha sung 'Soudain' and 'Stormy Weather'- it is just quite unbelievable how that Stormy Weather can sound better and better every time I hear it- and this time was honestly remarkable.... such a stage presence and real drama in the singing. I imagined Martha to be singing in a really good musical or something at that point! Oh and acapella 'La Vie en Rose' to end was a lovely way to end.... so delicate, quiet but carrying!

After Rufus's song cycle, and he returned for the 'lighter' second half- Martha joined him for a couple of songs 'Nuits de Miami', 'Complainte de la Butte' and 'Hallelujah' - and cam back near the end with Arcangelo for 'Poses'. It was the first time that I had heard Martha and Rufus sing these songs together and was lovely to hear them singing in harmony. Oh and the first time I have seen Arcangelo on stage! I think that was the moment when I felt a bit emotional, seeing him on stage with them... and he was so calm. I will end by saying that I know I am going to sound like I Martha can do no wrong by saying this, but honestly even when singing quiet harmonies her voice really stands out.

Ok, are were there then? The end of my little journey of a review/personal reflection. Anyone else reading this there? Please feel free to share too!!!!

There will be reviews coming out in the press soon I imagine, if I have not already missed them- and surely on Rufus' websites message board should you wish to read more.... I only took a couple of pics at the very end when Martha, Arc and Rufus were on stage,... they are not very good, but I shall put them onto the computer later and have a look.....

Next for me I guess will be the Royal Opera House in the summer. From afar and obstructed, as the tickets are mighty expensive!! But hey it is the music itself that is the most important so I will be looking forward to it as soon as the sun starts to shine again!

Ok, bye for now!!!