Reef

Broken Witt Rebels / Reef - Nell’s Jazz & Blues - 01/12/2018

Firstly following my comments in last month’s magazine, wherein I suggested in my Ana Popovic review at this very same venue that stage times could be improved, I must say that stage times were announced in advance and everything ran perfectly to schedule.

Broken Witt Rebels were special guests of 90s band Reef on this occasion and every time I have seen these amicable Brummies since my first experience of seeing them for, what I believe, was their first London gig in 2016, they have always impressed with their trademark high energy sets. This was was no different and they set the scene for the whole night, the audience was in tune with the band immediately.

The band opened with a new number ‘Money’ which was followed by crowd pleasers Howlin’, Low and Guns taken from the two EPs Howlin’ and Georgia Pine. Danny Core leads the band with his fine vocals, quite often with a roughness that reminds me of Roger Chapman with 70s prog rockers Family. A tight rhythm section in James Dudley (Drums) and Luke Davis (Bass) is complimented by Core and James Tranter on guitars.

Such was the performance of Broken Witt Rebels you have to respect Reef for inviting them to open proceedings as it set the bar really high. Broken Witt Rebels signed off with Shake Me Down and this is where the evening took on a completely different vibe. There were two reserved areas, one was immediately obvious as it was a wedding celebration but it wasn’t until the BWR set came to a close that the Ronnie Wood entourage entered reserve area two. Jesse Wood, Reef’s guitarist is Ronnie’s son and the entire family was there to support him on the night. Yours truly employed his zoom lens and caught sight of Reef’s set list and there it was Ronnie and Hannah (Grace) would be joining them for Aretha Frankln’s How I Got Over and Ronnie would also be assisting on the Faces classic Stay With Me......wow!

My intention was to only review the Broken Witt Rebels performance as they are in many people’s opinion a blues influenced band whereas Glastonbury’s very own Reef are more stoner rock. How could I not make reference to what followed. Reef is enjoying a long overdue return and has recently released Revelation, its first album in eighteen years. I am not a fan of audience participation at gigs but such was the atmosphere on this night it was a real joy to behold as everyone was enjoying themselves. We all remember the hits; Naked, New Bird, I Would Have Left You, Place In Your Hands and Yer Old and Gary Stringer certainly knows how to become one with his audience.

Ronnie Wood has rubbed noses and exchanged guitar licks with the greats....Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, BB King, Chuck Berry and the roll call goes on. When he takes to any stage it is worthy of mention. It was certainly an ‘I was there moment’ and one that will never be forgotten. Ronnie, very much like Keith Richards, has reached a certain level of maturity, having over indulged in life’s vices, yet never seem to get any older.

Reef are one of those bands that always seem to pop up at English summer festivals, and who can, in my experience, always be relied upon to put on a foot-stampingly, arm-wavingly, thoroughly enjoyable performance of no-nonsense, riff-driven indie-rock music.

The band, hailing from Glastonbury, UK, formed in the early 90s and had a steady string of hits from their 1995 debut 'Replenish', including the singles 'Naked' and 'Good Feeling'. However, their most enduring song to date is the party playlist classic 'Place Your Hands', on which vocalist and frontman Gary Stringer's signature deep, rasping tone is accompanied by steady blues-inspired drumbeats and infectious guitar riffs.

These were all staples of Reef's set when I saw them play a festival in the O2 Arena, London, way back 2003, where the crowd went wild for 'Place Your Hands' and formed a huge circle-pit! Since then however, they've only added to their repertoire of catchy tunes with later releases such as the commercially viable grooves of the single 'Set The Record Straight' produced by former Pixies mixman Al Cay. Their musicianship has also progressed since the early days, and their experimentation with a wider range of instruments on later albums further adds to the complexity and feel-good nature of their sound.

Reef are guaranteed to put on a solidly rock 'n' roll show, whether you see them in an intimate venue, huge stadium or outdoors at a festival. You'll be singing the words to songs you didn't realise you knew, and will definitely be smiling long after the curtains come down.

Simply awesome!

I have seen Reef 4 times now in different locations. I cannot get enough of them. The "concert" at Sub 89 in Reading was fantastic especially being a small venue where you're a lot closer to the stage and band.

The audience were clearly enjoying themselves, singing along with the well known songs, me included, so sore throat in the morning. You can't help yourself. The vibe at a Reef gig is just so great.

The new songs off the latest release were brilliant and differed from the "old" songs but the vocals were fantastic and just took you away.

They're well worth seeing, even if you've never seen them before. It's great to enjoy a band but equally great to watch a band enjoy themselves too.

Superb concert! The guys from Reef really nailed it.
Due to the venue location, which was small and cosy, one was really very close to the band. Occasionally, the band members came down the stage and took a bath in the crowd. The songs they played were mostly from their two albums “Glow” and “Revelation”. Sadly, no track was played from “Getaway”. Still, the tracks they performed were awesome and ignited a spectacular atmosphere among the crowd.
It was my very first Reef concert, but hopefully the first of many to come.

the boys didn't disappoint. they rolled through older numbers with ease and mixed it up with newer songs..
they were joined on stage with backing singers for some of the tracks such as "consideration","place your hands", "something to say" and their new gospel sounding track "how I got over".
it was great to hear them on form again doing what they do best! quality music from the reef band!

One of the greatest British Bands of all time, when it comes to live performances. They put everything in to their performances, and have the nicest of personalities, all of them. The music carries you on a rollercoaster of highs and higher highs. Put these guys on your bucket list of bands to see before you die, as they will never disappoint.

Absolute top draw rock show. Show cased the new album as well as the back catalogue. Rocked from beginning to end with a stomping atmosphere just sublime. The use of Falmouth gospel choir, highlighted local talent as well. Reef one of the South West's best.

It was powerful experience, exceeded my expectations a lot. I'm a Reef fan for some 20 years and I never been to their gig before. There was no disappointment. Guys rock hard like if no time has passed.

Absolutely amazing to watch live. His voice is exactly how it sounds on the records and so much energy!! I've seen them once before and both times have me wanting to see them again and again

Great show hearing all old numbers and some new ones only thing that let it down was show too short at 90 minutes after going off at 70 minutes too be cheered back on for another 20 minutes