Under the patronage of St. George’s Hall we were awarded a generous welcome. Likewise, easy to see why the saintly volunteers have been awarded for their roles. Moreover, the night awarded us a satisfying evening of curated music under the composed stewardship of the avuncular Pete Williams…
In the elegant setting of the St. George’s main hall, Pete Williams narrated a world which is as familiar, for regulars, as the train rolling around the ceiling of Bewdley’s Cock and Magpie.
Cultural magpie Pete William’s easy charm eased us into his musical tales of everyday life and everyday truths. Williams has a gossip’s ear for everyday language; his lyrics reflect this quality. In truth William’s ability to use language is exemplary, consider the euphemistic: “I like the way she fills her sweater.” The imagery, if I might be so bold, brought a knowing chortle from members of the audience.
The opening track on H.O.L.L.A.N.D (Hope our love lasts and never ends), Lucky in Love which Williams introduced with the observation…”because I have been”…allowed the assembled to relax into their lounge-style seating, the subdued lighting and relish the night ahead.
The readily recognisable half-spoken and half-sung delivery of Pete Williams lends itself to the social vignettes which are the “bread and butter” of Williams’ oeuvre. His performance on the night was equal parts understatement and coruscation.
First Real Job is a damning treatise of the capitalist game. The line “…Work, Retire Expire” is a pithy response to a universal truth. No wonder the song inspired Dave, sat in the audience, and who the song was dedicated to…“is this it then?”
Segueing between the songs with a synopsis or observation for clarity, it’s obvious, Williams insists on mentally recording life, not unlike the Southampton FC “research” department. The tales of his uncles regaling him in the pub as a child was a scenario all present could relate. Conversely, recalling setting out on the Two-Tone tour as an 18 year old bassist, with Dexys, brought forth nods of recognition and quiet envy?
Roughnecks and Roustabouts, for me a poignant love song, intriguingly titled, contains some genuine poetry: “You gave me love bites, the kind of which, never heal.” It was clear the assembled were familiar with PWB’s older work.
We perhaps all have photographs in our mental albums that never age, fade or discolour; a brief image in time which will out-last our fading short term memory, as we fight the aging process. Williams song Photograph captures this reality. My photograph of the night awards me a brief time with the singer-songwriter, who having performed for an evening still, voluntarily, came out to meet, greet and chat freely. Generous. And to think our patron saint, St. George didn’t even visit our country.
S.W.A.L.K
The Pete Williams Band are greater than the sum of their parts: Guitar Andrew Wellings, Bass: Laurence Saywood, Drums: Dean Beresford, Harmonica: Clive Mellor.
By: Swilgate Scuttler
Photo: Pete Saunders