Erland and the Carnival - Garage, London, 18/5/2011

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 18 / 5 / 2011

intro

Anthony Strutt at The Garage in London watches Erland and the Carnival play a spectacular set of psychedelic folk pop

There is a very mixed audience tonight at The Garage, mainly an older crowd, but with a few younger trendies also. Erland and the Carnival open with 'Emmeline', which has a cool 60's groove to it, and sounds in its pace and style like a Lee Hazlewood song, while Simon Tong's guitar lines cut on it like the best of 60's psychedelia. 'So Tired in the Morning' has a rockier feel, but again is psychedelic-driven. Erland's vocal here sounds like a young Tim Buckley. 'My Name is Carnival' gets big cheers and sounds a little too much like the Seeds pushing too hard, but nevertheless has a groove to die for. 'Maps of an Englishman' was the first single from 'Nightingale', their second album. It has a strange feel, with a forward driving pace, and quickly has you bopping along to it. 'Everything Came' sees tonight's support Emma Peel joining the band for additional vocal duties. This sounds like a classic Lee and Nancy number with Emma's vocal just melting into Erland's. 'Springtime' has a pleasant folk vibe and sounds like a mid afternoon festival music number. 'I'm Not Really Here' comes over like an obscure movie theme from the 60s, and 'Arabian Sea' is much quieter still like an early Nick Drake piece. 'Was You Ever See' is a crowd pleaser, while 'Derby Ram' is fast paced and gets the crowd going. Early single, 'Trouble in Mind, has hit written all over it. 'Gentle Gwen' is another fast number, while 'Nightingale' closes the main set. For the encore 'You Have Loved' is sung as a duet with Emma, and has very soft backing. 'You Don't Have to Be Lonely' sends the crowd into a frenzy and is both very 60s and very wonderful. They live us with 'Love is a Killing Thing which has a marching pace to it and brings to an an end a perfect night with this psychedelic folk band.

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