On the evening of the summer solstice in Brecon, the Muse and the MWR&BC joined forces to give a warm welcome to one of our most-loved acts: Nookee, paying us a much-anticipated return visit.
This time they brought more than the sunshine with them – they also brought a fine supporting act: Elis Penri, currently of Cardiff, but hailing originally from the Eryri mountains.
As an extra treat, we also had some cool DJ sets before and after the live performances by Fraser, AKA DJ Herdsman. His musical selections were very much in keeping with the spirit of the evening, with a smattering of Fairport and plenty of vintage John Martyn… and as the music faded back the audience was already in a suitably mellow mood to appreciate Elis Penri, accompanying himself on electric guitar.
Elis has a fine singing voice – very warm, smooth and easy to listen to. He promised us a few blues numbers, which he duly delivered with some authentic, fluid and accomplished guitar work plus appropriately wailing harmonica, on ‘Love in Vain’ and ‘When You’re Down and Out‘.
However, it was when Elis turned to his own songwriting that you could really appreciate the full breadth of his talents. The audience loved his self-penned Welsh songs, which were melodic and soulful, perhaps a bit reminiscent at times of a younger Meic Stevens. His song for Violet was mystical, gentle and wistful.
A special mention is required for his rendition of ‘I Fall in Love Too Easily‘: Elis’s gentle voice and guitar style were both extremely well-suited to this languid and romantic jazz standard, evoking memories of the great Chet Baker.
This was Elis’s first visit to the Muse, but we certainly hope not his last. It would also be good to hear him in the setting of one of his Cardiff-based bands.
Then… after a short break and some more DJ tunes… it was nine o’clock and time for Nookee!
How on earth does this band do it?
Modern, youthful, and yet deliciously retro, they never fail to deliver a truly joyous set filled with riotous, uplifting energy.
All the music you’ve ever loved, and half forgotten about, is summoned up into a magical dream-like concoction, suffused with a hefty dose of soul, and performed with a delightfully uninhibited and anarchic sense of fun.
To start with, just for a moment, their dual slide and lead guitar work (Matthew Lee and Ruben Kingman) conjures up a mystical psychedelic bluesy vibe, redolent of early Peter Green. But then, before you know it, they’re off into unfettered soul-diva territory, as the twin soul sisters Gemma and Violet Hunt-Humphries trade vocal duties, with much leaping about, gyrating and waving of fans and streamers.
It’s pure fun, theatre, and musical brilliance, in equal measure.
Propelled by some superb rhythmic percussion and drums by Phil Thompson and Tom Fry, and the fluid, accomplished bass work of Gautam Dahale, the overall sound is infectious, tight-knit, and irresistibly funky. The Muse dance floor was full in no time.
Despite appearances, the twins Gemma and Violet don’t sound identical to each other, but each has a beautiful, expressive and distinctive singing voice – so together they form an absolute powerhouse of raunchy soul and emotion. There’s something enthralling and almost telepathic about their musical understanding and ability to complement one another’s vocal expressions.
There’s probably not much point in listing their individual songs – because with Nookee the only sensible course of action is to stop analysing things, just get up and dance, and let the wonderful rhythms wash over you – which the audience enthusiastically did.
However, special mention must go to the epic ‘Crucify Me‘ in which Gemma and Violet’s passionate and heartfelt singing merged with the slow-burn intensity of the band, rising to a majestically powerful conclusion with some blistering guitar work from Ruben and Matthew.
Finally, to round off their set, we had one of the most memorable encores we have ever seen in the Muse: what other band would let the audience up onto the stage to join in singing verses of ‘Hound Dog‘? Well done to those brave souls who rose to the challenge! And it’s a credit to the approachability and generosity of Nookee, to invite people up to do it.
Those who still had any energy left stayed on for more DJ tunes and dancing, whilst the remainder of us made our way more sedately homeward. However, we hear that a few brave souls decided to climb Pen y Fan after the gig for the solstice sunrise – perhaps with the spirit of the music helping to lift them up there!
We wish all these great performers every success in future. Many thanks as ever to all who came together to make this show possible: all at the Muse, the MWR&BC, and of course to the audience for turning out to support live music.
https://linktr.ee/nookee
https://www.facebook.com/NookeeBand
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076843187323
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/
Photos by Barry Hill
Review by Jim Kerslake
