In these hard and gloomy days, it is comforting to look
forward to the small pleasures the powers that be have allowed us. And anyone
who values the local music scene cannot be ignorant of the existing rhythms and
sounds produced by this long lasting five piece.
Enigmatic is the nearest word I can think of to describe the
The Session. Yet there’s no denying that Dean MacDonald can write songs like
they’ve never been written before. An earful of ‘Jester’s Script’, or the
diversely different, ‘When She Smiles’, tend to tell all about their range.
This gig was being performed the night before the home leg of
Coventry City’s play off against Middlesborough. As such there was a definite
sense of excitement in the air.
The Session played a very strategic game dominating play
right from the off. Their set began with ‘Loaded Hobo’ a rousing song that
expressed the virtues, or not, of being in a rock n roll band. The home crowd
appeared to have lapped it all up. By the end of the gig, a very receptive
audience responded with chants of ‘More!’ from the terraces.
Not to disappoint the band responded with ‘Jailbird’ segued,
Paul Weller style, with ‘Ohio’. For that they encouraged local favourite, Danny
Ansell, to join them on stage.
Being in a smaller room than normal, and one with a low
ceiling, meant that the lyrics came across more audible. And, for me, The
Session resonated more. Or should that be resonation. With that comes a deeper
understanding of what makes the band tick.
The variety of talent within The Session can be appreciated
by studying a round up of the group. Here is a group with tremendous
versatility both vocally and musically. There are no anthems yet, lyrically,
they are expressive and they certainly move you. Additionally this is a whole
group effort. The body language coming from the stage suggests that this is a
happy outfit and they are completely as one.
They are a unique band in as much that they do not go through
any histrionics. They just get on with the job at hand. In short, a sympathetic
band who are completely in tune with lyrics. And, they go down a storm.
Set list: 1. Loaded Hobo, 2. Denver Hill, 3. Jesters Script,
4. Sinner In Me, 5. When She Smiles, 6. Blind, 7. Resonation, 8. Reflect Before
Aim, 9. Jailbird, 10. Ohio
