I do quite like London, only ever stayed for a few days at a time but I’ve always had good experiences, nice wee cafes, there’s some cracking pubs (living in Edinburgh, the prices don’t make me clutch at my heart in mock horror) and I generally find Londoners to be a pleasant bunch. The Camden Road Hotel was a perfectly fine place to sleep, no breakfast, but from past experience that’s where the nice wee cafes come in, they’re everywhere! It was also a reasonable walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations, and an easy bus ride to The Finsbury.

Ah yes, I returned from the continent by Eurostar on the Monday so I could get a decent night’s kip and enjoy a wander round Camden before seeing Carl Marah at The Finsbury (good plan, after two nights in a hostel dorm with exuberant marathon runners in Liege, it was heaven). I also took the opportunity to check out a couple of real ale pubs on the way, as you do, but in time to see both supports.

It was meant to be some guy supporting, I gather something happened fairly last minute but no worries, the ladies stepped up and some. First up was Eve Simpson, a northern lass with an awesome voice and great folk/pop songs, including one inspired by The Hive on Niddry Street in Edinburgh! Probably the first and last time that’ll happen (I know the place, I’ve seen Fringe shows in there, as a night haunt, nah). Speaking about the Fringe, Eve will be up at the Pianodrome in August for two nights, hmm, a distinct possibility. Second up, Kiki Annette over from Germany, indie with a delicious dry humour, wow! Later Carl made a light comment of feeling a tad apprehensive coming on after two such talented singer-songwriters, yeah, methinks he was only half joking!

Then it was time, Carl and his trusted compadres, Gavin Lamont and Simon Toner, opened with the latest single You’re Always Right, oh yay. Lost and Found next, one of my favourites and sooo delicious with the extra depth of flavours the band sound brings to it. I say that’s one of my favourites, they’re all wonderful but a few sneak ahead, like World Keeps Turning, why? I don’t know, is it in his delivery of his lyrics, the timbre of his voice with an occasional slight plaintive edge? The rhythm changes?

What a wonderful evening, there was almost no need for Carl to ask for us to singalong with It’s a long way to Oban, I could hear there was already a strong murmur augmenting the chorus. Carl’s first single Siren Song was in there (I was very in the moment, some of which refused to be retained later). Stags and Hens with it’s world-weary wry charm will always have a place in my heart, and it’s own little burrow in my ear.

Naturally Me, Myself and I, the title track of the new EP was there, one where for me, the solo version has sweet echoes of Gilbert O’Sullivan, not as much with the band. Oh, and from just watching a couple of videos, I must mention that the sound and lighting were excellent all evening. Cat’s Eyes was a total sublime dream, without doubt my top favourite of all Carl’s songs (so far!) The drum and bass motor along so beautifully, while Carl’s voice and guitar take the twists and turns with confident ease. Oh, my heartses!

Carl did cut one song from the set just before Cat’s Eyes as he wanted enough time to do it justice, at just over eight minutes, yeah he did that; but I do wonder what was cut? On the other hand, I might disappointed if I knew. I wouldn’t have wanted any of the songs I heard cut from the set. Final song of the evening was ol’ 5/4 timer Roll the Dice (the Paul Simon one), the guys went for it! All brilliant musicians, it’s a class way to end things.

It wasn’t quite the end of my evening, oh no. Now, at this point I’ll mention that it wasn’t particularly busy in The Finsbury, a real shame the turn out wasn’t better, mind, the folk who did turn up were obviously enjoying themselves and showed their appreciation loud and warmly; but it was the evening of Tuesday 19th May when most of North London were glued to tv sets watching a football match with bated breath. The outcome of that match would determine whether Arsenal would win the Premier League.

When I left the pub to catch the bus, a few cars were passing by blaring their horns, bit exuberant for a Tuesday night, I thought. Then, on the bus, the traffic was really slow, horns tooting rhythms, was this about football?! The bus got diverted, watching its movements on Google maps I realised I was best getting off. By now it was after eleven, the streets were thronged with people in red and white scarves and tops, car horns going off everywhere, folks jubilantly calling out. I have to say, the exhilaration in the air was infectious, so joyous; I had no idea what the reason was, but I realised it was something pretty monumental. What a night to be in North London! Overall, it was pretty damn fine ❤️

Toodle pip!