Francis Rodino @ The Bedford Tuesday 3rd November 2009

Francis Rodino @ The Bedford Tuesday 3rd November 2009
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The Bill:-
Lee Broderick
Robert McCracken
Francis Rodino

Francis’ Set List:-
Don’t Say Never
Walk With Me
Burn
Any Day Now
Science
Drink
Eternity
Blood (Acoustic++)
One Love

Yet another night at The Bedford in Balham and yet again it’s a great night out. Great to see Dave The Esthameian out to play, and taking loads of photos too! As usual, a quick chat about the other Artists - Lee Broderick was awesome and well worth checking out whereas Robert McCracken’s acoustic guitar/violin/cello set didn’t really do it for me, but maybe that’s because it was the first time for the violin/cello or maybe I was just so keen to get Francis on stage that I didn’t pay enough attention?

From the very beginning Francis and the boys foster the air of a full on stadium rock band, although maybe some of the extended breaks between tracks to tune, etc, could be worked on – I guess that’s where the full on stadium rock band scores with pre-tuned “spare” guitars, etc. Oh roll on that day for Francis and the boys!

Allan, sans shoes, and Andrea kick it off with Matt giving an extra long keys intro to Don’t Say Never, letting Nik come onstage and plug in. A further wait as the intro continues to build tension before Francis struts onstage and the crowd cheer. Not as big a crowd as I’ve seen here for Fran before (but this was a Tuesday remember!), but all seem to be in the mood to be ROCKED! Francis continues through the well picked set of songs from his excellent Sellaband album Circles and Squares and the crowd listen intently (a marvelous “Bedford” tradition), even joining in when enticed to do so! Finishing off with an interesting version of Blood which comprised the usual cut-down acoustic version usually performed by just Francis, Nik, and Allan but with Matt and Andrea coming in at the usual place on keys and drums, but with a lighter touch (Andrea playing for much of the time with just his hands). I heard them discussing it at the bar beforehand and it’s a fascinating insight into the world of the accomplished musician that a 5 minute chat over a bottle of beer and bags and bags of haribo is enough to put together something new, and a glimpse into the relationships they have fostered amongst themselves to have a crack just for the craic!

Muggins here on Merch & Email list duty at the end is swamped by FRB newbies clamouring for copies of the CD, and some even hunting out the culprits to get their copies signed. Such was the enthusiasm for all things Rodino that I even had some interesting offers for my FRB t-shirt, but NO SALE!

Thanks Fran, Allan, Nik, Andrea, Matt – another great night out! Cheers.