As the house lights dim, Nic Jones appears
from the side curtain, puts down his walking
stick and makes his way unsteadily across the
stage, pausing to wave and bow to the
cheering and already emotional audience.
Behind him, Joe, rake thin, jet black hair,
steps to the microphone to affectionately address his Dad. 'What
are you bowing for? You haven't done anything
yet!' Later, Nic introduces Bill Worsfold's,
'I Only Spoke Portuguese', by explaining that
it's the true story of a couple, neither of
whom spoke the other's language, who were
therefore unable to speak directly to each
other throughout their long marriage. Joe,
busy re-tuning his guitar, looks up for long
enough to mutter, 'Yes, I expect Mum would've
quite liked that...' Badum tish!
The set, beautifully paced, is weighted
towards the classic 'Penguin Eggs' LP and for
the latter part of the concert Nic and Joe
are joined on stage by the original melodeon
player on that record, East Anglian native,
Tony Hall. The significance of this reunion
isn't lost on Joe who stands strumming
gently, grinning from ear to ear, between the
two men, as they delicately rekindle their
musical relationship. Not for the first time
this evening, high emotion threatens to
overshadow the moment and it's skillfully
diffused by Tony Hall's quip after Joe
introduces 'The Little Pot Stove'. 'What are
we playing now?' he asks, pretending not to
have caught Joe's announcement, 'The Little
Pot Noodle?'
Joe, an astounding player, prompts approving
smiles and warm paternal applause several
times during the concert, Father and Son
lightheartedly disagreeing about just how
much guitar know-how Nic has passed on to Joe.
'Three chords' says Joe, 'No - I just told you how to
hit the thing!' counters Nic. Though he's
understandably frail, Nic's voice is strong,
his phrasing undiminished. A towering
presence, thought lost to us forever, but,
against all odds, here he is, performing
again. Long may he continue. An unforgettable evening.
(Nic and Joe in 2011)
(More Nic Jones
here)
