TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

For the first time since ... well, several years (my guess is 2004ish), Iain Matthews and Ad Vanderveen resurrect their "Iain Ad Venture" with a new album called Ride The Times and a tour -or rather, scattered dates- of Holland and Germany. I've seen them several times seperately, I can't believe it's been 7 years since last I saw them as a duo ... this was at our Folk Grolloo festival in 2003. Tomorrow they'll kick it all off, in Edam in Ye Olde Dutch pub, De Harmonie. Sold out by now, but then again, only 50 or so fit in there. I look forward to it.

Send them over here when you've done with them. ;D

I'll wrap up whatever's left of them, and send them first class  [;-)
If they don't arrive in one piece though, here's further chances to see them. The rest of their tour(ette) following Edam tomorrow ("D" meaning Germany) --

Apr 17  NL: Moergestel Den Boogaard
Apr 20 NL: Leiden Qbus
Apr 29  NL: Hilversum Raphsody CD launch party
May 1 NL: Bemmel Cultureel Centrum De Kinkel
May 8  D: Weimar Kay's Lounge Hotel
May 16 NL: Amer de Amer
May 27 D: Eppstein Wunderbar Weite welti
May 28 D: Oberhausen Gdanska
July 17 D: Herzberg Burgherzberg Festival
Aug 29 D: Ihnen Gulfhof
Oct 12 D: Beusichem Heerenlogement
Oct 15 F: Paris-Gennevilliers Cinema Jean Vigo
Oct 16 F: Paris-Gennevilliers Cinema Jean Vigo

Well, that was good. Their first gig in about 6 years and they gelled wonderfully. At one point Iain was heard saying to Ad that of all the people he performed with, Ad was the most fun to play with. That's saying something I guess! It showed. When they started out playing live in 2000, it was really a case of Iain being the main man and Ad sitting in, doing the occasional solo song. Before too long they were absolute equals on stage - and at their trio gigs with Eliza Gilkyson as More Than A Song, as indeed now again, Iain introduced Ad as "our fearless leader". Straight at the first song, Iain broke a string and his strings were still at the hotel room - luckily the venue IS the hotel as well, but it meant that Ad had the solo spot at the 2nd song while Iain, as he said, "would go upstairs and put on his string" (they do anything to put on a show these days don't they). Ad Vanderveen, complete with near-white beard, now resembles a lanky Simon Nicol, and was as good as ever, although I did miss his electric guitar, such a feature at former duo gigs. Many songs from the new album Ride The Times, hot of the press (they had arrived yesterday) were played. Which contains a surprising number of covers, like Mohammed's Radio (Warren Zevon), Mr Soul (Buffalo Springfield) and even a Bobby Darin song, Things. Highpoints: many, but Iain's rendition of Peter Gabriel's Mercy Street never fails to send shivers down my spine, his Funk And Fire was once again a wonderful showcase for Ad's fierceless guitar playing and ah, on the final song, Ad's Cloud Of Unknowing, the two were joined by Ad's partner (musical and otherwise) Kersten de Ligny adding backing vocals. Now, how about a trio? Because that sounded bloody magnificent indeed.
I hope they'll stretch out further than just those current dates. And they'd be great for Cropredy!

Late replacement for Bellowhead. ;D ;)

Which, incidentally, has sleevenotes by none other than Joe Boyd.

Great to hear they're back at it as a duo.They blew my socks off at your gig six or seven years ago Koen.
 

Iain Matthews is also playing in another duo, with Egbert Derix at the Devizes festival on Fri 18th June & at The Breeze Bar. Maidstone on Sunday June 20th. Sounds interesting. Good sampler video at http://www.transmil.nl/egbertderix/ :)