The anticipation was high in the sold out, newly rebuilt Mandela Hall at Queens University Belfast for the celebration of what would have been the legendary musician’s 76th birthday. The audience comprised not just of the 65-80 year olds who had followed Big John from his early beginnings as a cult figure in the British folk scene of the ‘60s, but there was also a sizeable scattering of younger fans, those like me who had discovered him in 1980 with Sweet Little Mystery, and the children and even grandchildren of the older fans.
The six-piece band hit the stage running with a killer version of Big Muff, the co-write with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry from 1997’s ONE WORLD, complete with funky bass lines, heavy synths and reverby guitar. Any anxiety that this would have been a mere token tribute to the genius immediately dissipated and the lucky audience were treated to a 21 song performance ranging right across John’s considerable ouvre. Leading the lineup as ‘Big John’ was Belfast’s own ‘Big Ken’ Haddock, himself a larger than life character (and all of 6’4” tall) with a powerful voice and considerable guitar and songwriting prowess, and who inexplicably has never found fame outside of his own corner of Northern Ireland. Lead guitar was provided by Colm McClean (Gretchen Peters, Ben Glover) who was first spotted playing covers with Co Down’s Matt McGinn in Belfast’s Real Music Club days, and is now one of NI’s ‘go to’ guitar players, both as a session musician and as a band member. John McCullough took time out from Van Morrison’s band to lend his dazzling keyboard and synthesiser prowess to the proceedings, while another old friend of Haddock’s, Conor McCreanor (Gretchen Peters, Gareth Dunlop, Duke Special, Foy Vance) impressed on electric bass. Anchoring them all on drum kit was Belfast’s Adrian McIlduff (Simon McBride) and David Howell (Van Morrison) played a blinder on saxophones.
The two hour performance (and no break!) continued with Piece by Piece and Ken informed us that he witnessed John performing that very song during the follow-up tour in 1986 in this exact venue (the original iteration of the Mandela Hall). During a solo acoustic slot, starting with Bless The Weather, Ken explained how demanding it was, even with his formidable vocal ability, to attempt to sing John’s songs. By the end of the night he was apologising for his hoarseness but no one in the audience was other than enraptured by his performance. He can go from a growl to a whisper, as he switches between his acoustic Lowden and Gibson guitars throughout the night.
In an evening of highlights, the seven minute version of John Wayne was a particular standout, as was Ken’s solo rendition of Spencer the Rover.
On May You Never, they were joined by surprise guest, Bangor’s Foy Vance, who used to sing in a duo with Ken in the ‘90’s. Then Ken’s daughter, Grace, joined them for a memorable version of Hurt in your Heart, after which Ken told an endearing story of how, unbeknownst to him, John dropped in one time to Ken’s regular Belfast residency and they ended up playing guitars all night in John’s hotel room. The performance was enhanced by a huge constantly changing backdrop of photos of John, some familiar and many less so.
There was an inevitable standing ovation and encore for the band, all of whom were old friends and their performance was clearly, in part, due to their years of playing together, but also due to the intense rehearsals they had scheduled in preparation. Credit was also due to Nigel Martyn (Old FlatTop Promotions) who curated the event. John Martyn’s partner, Theresa, attended and gave it her imprimatur - what higher praise is there?
Rumour has it that they might take it on the road … watch this space.
Review by Eilís Boland Photographs by Julie-Ann Rouquette