The Covid Pandemic has created so many ripples during it's impact. We probably haven't even seen the majority of them yet. For Musicians, and I've spoken to may about this, it had a rather polarising effect. For some it was an unforeseen gift of time that allowed them to write an record. For other it seems it caused a creative paralysis. For Cardiff Duo Zervas & Pepper, it proved the latter.
Which was such a shame as the duo were just building up a head of steam with the release of their fifth album, Endless Road, Restless Nomad. With tour booked, first single from it released they were all ready to go then Covid struck. It was the same for many musicians but hit the duo particularly hard.
Since that album they have only recently started to make music again. A time for reflection beckoned and possible new productions. But more of that later. Tonight we got Paul & Kath on home turf and ready to re-enter the fray of live music.
Remember, we are in Acapela Studios and the normal rules followed - a game of two halves - all be it a short first half and longer second half.
Joined by multi instrumentalist Charlie Piercey on guitar, keys and vocals the duo stepped up to the mics and gave us two stunning tunes from the last album 2019's Endless Road, Restless Nomad - first off, the single There Is Only Love with Paul on lead vocals followed by the equally gorgeous Cards with Kath taking the lead - a structure which they adopt for most shows but with the harmonies they produce they're almost both singing all of the vocals anyway.
There Is Only Love
The duo have never hidden their influences and wear them proudly on their sleeve. It's a harmonious American West Coast Sound from the glory days of singer songwriters in the late 60s early 70s including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jackson Browne, JD Souther and especially Joni Mitchell, of which more later.
The duo started their gloriously tuneful journey back in 2007 and I must admit as soon as I heard those harmonies back in the day I was smitten, their first album Somewhere In The City was released in 2011 copies are sought after now. Their first single, Winter Forever is as rare as unicorn manure and remains my favourite Xmas Song!! I keep telling the guys to rerelease it but to no avail!!
During the course of the evening they visit all of their recorded albums and add a couple of brand new songs and surprises too.
The beautiful Silver To Chrome from 2015's Abstract Heart comes next followed by the now essential Lookout Mountain. If ever a song explained their sound and influences it's this one. Charlie then leaves the duo alone on stage for the final two songs of a short Part 1. No strangers to playing as a duo those harmonies shone like a diamond,
Lookout Mountain
As I mentioned earlier, the duo have been looking at new projects for the next couple of years and the one they are going to tackle first is really a no brainer. From the start of their career the band have always stated Joni Mitchell as a major influence on their song writing and sound and have always played a Joni cover on most of their shows.
So they are going to launch their No Flight Tonight Tour, playing Joni's songs - the poster is below and the eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted the Joni connection in the poster design as the song No Flight Tonight comes from Joni's album Blue and Kath is spookily like her not only in sound but look. Tickets are selling like hot cakes so get them while you can. Next Flight Tonight is the first song they play tonight as a duo and it's a triumph. I've already got my tickets for their Acapela show. Thank God.
This Flight Tonight
The last song of the first half is a poignant one.
As I write this, the Grim Reaper has been particularly brutal this year and we have lost some fabulous musicians to The Great Gig In The Sky. This week alone we have lost three brilliant musicians in the form of Francis Monkman of Curved Air & Sky, Supreme Session Bass Player John Giblin and Andy Rourke bass player of The Smiths. And another fine Canadian Songwriter left us a couple of weeks ago, The talented Gordon Lightfoot. The duo knew the man and played his song Summer Side Of Life in tribute. A beautiful version and a beautiful gesture. Not a dry eye in the house. But I would expect nothing less from these two equally beautiful people.
Summer Side Of Life
So, After a short break the rest of the band come to the stage. Andy Brown on Bass, Charlie Piercey on Guitar, Keys and vocals once more and Sam Andrews on Drums.
We kick off part 2 with the lead track from 2013 album, Life bringer - the swirling Buffalo Crow.
Buffalo Crow
The organic lead track from the 2017 album Wilderland comes next in the shape of Roses Of Jericho with it's swaying melody and shamic chanting.
Lead track from Endless Road Restless Nomad, The Gift has Kath giving another lovely vocal performance. I must say here that I have never heard the duo in better voice. Maybe a rest has had some unexpected positive consequences.
It was now time for the first new song of the evening - White Flag Surrender. Unmistakably Z&P, the song proves they haven't lost their gift of melody and harmony. Hopefully it won't be too long before this joins more songs on the next album. Who knows what inspiration the No Flight Tonight might bring.
Another seminal musician who also left us and proved a HUGE inspiration to the duo was David Crosby and there was no way Paul & Kath would have left this go unmentioned. It was always a case of I wonder WHAT song they will play in tribute not IF they are going to play one of David's songs. The song was originally due to appear on the CSNY album Deja Vu but ultimately came out as part of a 1991 box set. It went down a storm tonight.
The Lee Shore
Another Z&P classic comes next in the shape of the ever popular live crowd pleaser, Cigar Store Indian which gives the audience a chance to join in the harmonic chanting towards the end of the track.
Cigar Store Indian
Sad Pariah keeps up the flowing momentum of the show and then it's then time for another Z&P crowd pleaser in the form of Living In A Small Town. Paul & Kath really have this show down to a fine art, Peppered, if you excuse the pun, with Paul's witticisms and Kath seemingly trying to stop him rambling it's, as Kath said, like an evening in with your friends. And some of these friends had come a long way to see this show, from all parts of England and even Edinburgh. You don't get more beautiful experiences than a Zervas & Pepper gig.
Living In A Small Town
A special mention here to the band who have been sensational all night, excellent musicians all who unselfishly play for the music not personal advancement.
It's down to the last song now with the rocking Hotel Bible.
Hotel Bible
The guys then give us a splendid and unexpected 2 song encore. First up it's a new song from Kath, Better Days which has been their first release since Endless Road. It's a beautifully positive song and really is a song for our age,
Better Days
Now, I've seen Paul & Kath many times over the years and they always seem to sneak in Neil Young songs into the set, even if the crowd doesn't know what it is. But no issue with tonight as the band close with Neil Young's classic Out On The Weekend from Harvest. Paul said it was only the second time the band had played it. Hmm, I'll need convincing of that as the band rocked the ending.
Out On The Weekend
It was another triumphant home town (almost) gig for the band tonight and a beautiful reminder of what the duo have achieved before they set out on their Joni journey later in the year. And I'm sure I'll let you all know how that goes!!
Twitter - @zervaspepper
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