The Caves, Edinburgh
Saturday, 21st September 2024
ALI FERGUSON
Its own beating heart and angelic voice.
It forms its own laughter and creaking aches
It cries its own tears and speaks its own tongues”
These are the whispered, yet prolific, words heard as Ali Ferguson gently appears on stage …then ‘POWW!’ …the guitar is wailing, just as the planet would, with it’s ‘creaking aches and pains’. This is a most emotional effect in a most atmospheric venue. We are deep down in the caves and cellars of Edinburgh’s old town. Stone walls rise to a high ceiling engulfing the stage and audience. The howling guitar resonates throughout the space to incredible effect.
As Ali says, this is now the annual gathering, ‘piggy-backing’ on the Big Big Train show in town that evening. There were many Passengers’ (BBT fans) in the audience this afternoon for this 3rd such event. Today, Ali has partnered with Scottish prog masters Abel Ganz, once again, after their first BBT afternoon gig in 2019. Last year was partnered with The Blackheart Orchestra.
The Contemplative Power of Water (title track from Ali’s latest, and third, album) was an emotional opener as the guitar’s vibrato seeped through one’s thoughtful soul. Children of Men soon had things on a rocking even keel. A favourite of many from the album, telling the story of our hopes for the future.
From second album we were presented with a personal fave Out of the Dark, a song of two halves. The song starts with some very subtle low key melodious vocal passages which burst open into some gorgeous guitar melodies, lifting those watching on a journey around this ethereal cave space. It received a rousing response from the audience as they all touched back down again.
It’s not all low key and guitar virtuosity at this afternoon’s gig. We’re treated to the gentle The Windmills segued into the funk/dance of All in the Winds. A rhythm accompanied by some smooth guitar work, of course. Magical!
The band must not go unnoticed either. Keeping everything tight and atmosphere were; on bass, Lawrie MacMillan with brother Ashley on drums; on keys was Liam Saunders creating some extra atmosphere.
Peace Begins With Me had an interesting story, as Ali explained, about his daughter. She returned home from school having learned a simple rhythmic finger exercise using those words in stressful situations. A song was born, and an ideal metaphor for Ali’s music!
Final song The Catacombs tells the story of finding light and hope through the darkness. A new dawn for the planet perhaps. Following an effective middle eight of Liam Saunders keys, the afternoon show ends on a continually uplifting classic Ali Ferguson guitar solo. There is hope for this pale blue dot we call planet Earth.
The Contemplative Power Of Water (Pt.I)
Children Of Men
Out Of The Dark
You Can’t Hold An Ocean
The Windmills / All In The Winds
Coincidence Is No Accident
Peace Begins With Me
Stare Into Sunlight (Release/Control)
The Catacombs
Ali Ferguson – Vocals, Guitar
Lawrie MacMillan – Bass
Ashley MacMillan – Drums
Liam Saunders – Keyboards
Kim Shepherd – Backing Vocals
LINKS
Ali Ferguson – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
ABEL GANZ
Abel Ganz are darlings of the Scottish Prog Massive. I’ve seen them live on several occasions, but more by coincidence tbh. They’ve had a real turn around and open door policy of quality musicians over their many years. A career highlight was their recent appearance at the prog mecca Night of the Prog in Loreley Germany, which sadly had it’s swansong earlier this year.
The audience this afternoon were certainly full of long time fans, but the number of newbies surprised me, a fair few hands were raised when asked from the stage.
I’m finding the band sounding much better live than on audio. Lots of quality musicianship shining out on their various live solo platforms. The bass stood out, particularly on opener Unconditional. This song highlighted the set, for me, perfectly. A good song with melody then about 3 minutes in it turns left down another avenue, round the back of the houses, up the hill then almost back to the original song, before a wee detour off to the right then finding the right path again! They really could get a top 4 minute song out of this …but THAT’s classic prog!! It’s what Abel Ganz do well.
We were introduced to new song Cenacide and a crackin’ song it is with it’s staccato opening riff and overall heavier sounds and guitar solos. A winner in this writer’s department. Sepia & White was introduced as the heavy-metal song before wandering into it’s various keyboard melodies and everyone gets their separate solo shots …but again, that’s Prog!
There was some lively action with Ventura, from early album Shooting Albatross, which was received with great delight, as the audience were encouraged to join in with some la-la-la’s. Final song Thank You, sounding rather folky, brought the band and audience together once again, as the band came off stage to join the audience on the floor.
A fine way to end a Saturday afternoon as many of the entertained audience left for part two of their day, with Big Big Train at Edinburgh’s Queens Hall.
SETLIST
Unconditional
One Small Soul
Ventura
Cenacide
Close Your Eyes
Dream
End of Rain
Sepia & White
Thank You
MUSICIANS
Mick McFarlane – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Alan Hearton – Keyboards
Dawid Zieliński – Guitars
Stephen Donnelly – Bass
Denis Smith – Drums, Backing Vocals
LINKS
Abel Ganz – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
