Strange Sabres

On Tuesday 24th November, I saw The Sabres Of Paradise play the first date of their UK tour at Strange Brew in the heart of Bristol.

Now that's a sentence that even a year ago I never expected to string together. But I've been pinching myself for the last few weeks and I am now convinced that this actually happened and wasn't just a crazy. feverish dream.

The absence - and presence - of founder Andrew Weatherall aka Lord Sabre is keenly felt, though this celebration of the old band getting back together and recreating the past in order to continue moving ever forward.

It's entirely justified. The Sabres Of Paradise may have only existed for a few short years, released two albums (three if you count the rejigged and remodelled Sabresonic II), but they were a proper band with proper hits in the UK. A Top 30 album (Sabresonic), a Top 40 single (Wilmot) and four other Top 100 singles; the first two albums also went Top 20 in the Vinyl Albums Chart when they were reissued this summer.

I didn't see The Sabres Of Paradise when they toured between 1993 and 1996, so this was a big deal. The opportunity to see them play in one of my favourite venues, in a mind-bogglingly intimate setting, felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I wasn't alone in knowing that I was about to witness something very special.

With the inevitable exception of Andrew Weatherall, the 1990s touring line-up were all there on stage: Jagz Kooner and Gary Burns with Phil Mossman (guitar), Nick Abnett (bass) and Rich Thair.

Every single one of them has a hugely impressive CV, yet coming together again after three decades demonstrating what an incredible dynamic they have. Impressive though the studio versions of tonight's set list are, the translation to a live setting was nothing short of breath taking. 

It was easy to forget that this was entirely instrumental music, with no between song banter from anyone on stage, because in spite of all that, the band and the sounds they made engaged from the opening seconds and didn't let up until the show came to an end, an hour and a half later.

Not only had I never seen The Sabres Of Paradise live in concert, but with the odd exception, I rarely heard their music in the clubs I went to in the 1990s, so there was the added joy of being immersed in the sounds and dancing my heart out. Another wonderful aspect of the live performance: even the seemingly more downbeat numbers on vinyl found their groove when released into the atmosphere of Strange Brew.

Evenly split between Sabresonic and Haunted Dancehall, all the 'hits' were there: opener Tow Truck blending into the Depth Charge remix of same, a lovely tribute to another fallen comrade, J. Saul Kane. 

From there, the cinematic sweep of Theme then Edge 6, originally a B-side of Theme then promoted to album status with the Sabresonic II reissue. Two from Haunted Dancehall, Duke Of Earlsfield followed by a triumphant, celebratory Wilmot, before a drop to the serenely beautiful Beatless Mix of Smokebelch II. 

Ballad Of Nicky Wire follows before another trio of Sabresonic tracks, Clock Factory, Ano Electro (Allegro) and Still Fighting, which samples another much-missed legend, Denise Johnson. 

And then it's over, Jagz clapping and showing his appreciation as he and the band take their leave. Has it really been over an hour? Is it really the end?

Of course not. In time honoured tradition, the band return to the stage to rapturous applause and cheering to play - what else? - the David Holmes Remix of Smokebelch II.

As with every song that preceded it, and impressive though that would still have been, this is no mere reproduction of the studio version. Every one of The Sabres Of Paradise brings something unique and special to the stage and together they are unstoppable.

Fifteen minutes later and I didn't want the music to stop. It was incredible from start to finish and all the more wondrous that I could never have imagined that it would ever happen. But it did, and I was there, and I will never forget it.

Gig of the year, no question. 

1) Intro / Tow Truck (Album Version)

2) Tow Truck (Depth Charge Mix)

3) Theme

4) Edge 6

5) Duke Of Earlsfield

6) Wilmot

7) Smokebelch II (Beatless Mix)

8) Ballad Of Nicky McGuire

9) Clock Factory

10) Ano Electro (Allegro)

11) Still Fighting

12) Smokebelch II (David Holmes Remix)

Rather than create a Dubhed selection for this set, I'm instead pointing you to Bandcamp where you can listen to all of the songs via the parent albums, Sabresonic, Haunted Dancehall and Sabresonic II. Better still, buy all three albums and enjoy the full Sabres experience.

Note: Yep, another night with no photos from me. Today's lift is three pics by Adam Burrows (#2, 4 & 5) to accompany his review of the gig, published by Bristol 24/07. The other two are taken from The Sabres Of Paradise page on the Book of Faces.