The first of two civilised “sit doon” gigs to end the week and the return of Hodge and Borges. And slightly different affair this time around, with Ms Hodge sans band, and Ms Borges joined by just Keith on bass/vocals.
Not that it made a difference entertainment wise, Carol always puts on a show whether it is performing Penis Envy Crass songs, full band performances or solo. Tonight was no exception, with a performance including many of my favourite Hodge compositions – kicking off with Moan of a Thousand Years, and taking us through all her themes – worrying, death, anxiety… including the songs that could be the soundtrack to my own life Stop Worrying Baby, Bear With Me, her cover of Offspring’s Smash and one of the top anti-Thatcher songs out there, The Witch is Dead. If you missed out there are plenty of opportunities coming up including appearances with Ginger Wildheart and singing the songs of Crass with Steve Ignorant again at Scotland Calling next year.
If Sarah hadn’t taken up a career in music, she could easily have made it in stand up, her between song banter just as entertaining as her music. Sarah and Keith gel perfectly as a duo, musically and as an entertainment partnership, Keith the quiet unassuming one, in comedy parlance, the straight man of the duo, while Sarah’s larger than life personality fills the room. I’m pretty sure the duo could have happily played on into the night if they were allowed, such is their repertoire of blissfully entertaining alt-country rock, including some carefully selected covers including teenage crush Nick Lowe. At times I sat just being mesmerised by Keith’s fretwork but in the whole I was just highly entertained by the whole set. If you get an opportunity to catch a live Sarah Borges set, grab it with both hands. Just don’t rush the stage offering yourself to her…(you had to be there)
