Rob Gould - Live - Reviews

Geoff Arnold
November 2005





The Rob Gould Band at Harvest Moon Festival, Blackwell Hall, Derbyshire, UK
18/09/05

Opening the set with A Billion Ghosts - Part Five from his now available China album, Rob's band built the atmosphere nicely before turning to older material by his former band Fula. Their Dark Matter album was well represented by it's title track plus Where Did We Go Wrong?, Vanity and Behind Cold Eyes; split up in the set by Ballerina Junkies from the last Fula album The Beautiful, the Delicate and the True.

Up to this point in the set the band comprised of Rob Gould (keyboards) plus former Fula members - Fiona ford (vocals), Jason Gilman (guitars), Nigel Moss (bass / whistle) and Greg Boulton (drums) - with the addition of Gerard MacDonald (saxophones).

For the closing numbers Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Eclipse from "Dark side of the moon", they were joined by Steve Taylor - vocalist with Strangefish - and Joanne Whittaker (backing vocals).

This was a stunning confirmation of just how well Rob's current and recent material stands up when performed live, Jason Gilman and Gerard MacDonald deserve particular mention for their contributions, but to be fair the whole band were superb.

I haven't heard them perform better than this, it's a pity Rob's involvement with Ashtar will inevitably reduce the availability of his own band for us to enjoy.

Geoff Arnold
November 2005





The Rob Gould Band at The Devil's Arse
18/06/05

Over the weekend of 18 and 19 June The Rob Gould Band, which has previously produced the music for Gavin Newman's caving films and audio-visual, gave twelve twenty-minute performances in the vestibule of Peak Cavern in Derbyshire.

As the musicians played the soundtrack to Gavin's latest documentary, China - Beneath the Wall, an edited version of the film was projected behind them. The weekend worked well, with guided tours seeing the rope-making demonstartion before being led further into the cave. As soon as each group was out of earshot, the band started up, playing to people hanging around after their visit and those gathering for the next tour. In all, about 400 people visited over the weekend and the majority caught most, if not all of the show.

The acoustics in the cave entrance were magnificent and, even at low sound levels, the music could be heard in Castleton.

The six performances on the Saturday featured Rob Gould on keyboards and theremin, Fiona Ford on vocals and Jason Gilman on guitar, while on the Sunday Nigel Moss replaced Jason and played bass guitar, mandolin and whistles.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Nigel's bass frequencies loosened a chunk of limestone and bat guano from the roof of the cavern, which crashed down in front of the screen during one of the performances. In true cave-musician style, the band played on!

The band would like to thank the staff at Peak Cavern - and in particular Tony Marsden - for all his hard work in putting on the weekend as part of the broader 'visit a showcave weekend'. There are plans to produce another, larger scale concert next year.

Descent Magazine (Issue 185)
Aug/Sept 2005





The Rob Gould Band at HLC Rotherham
02/04/05

Four ex members of Fula were together again in Robs new band playing music from the forthcoming album' China'. The first track lasting 'only' sixteen minutes was When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears which tells of an ambient journey from the dawn of creation from the outer reaches of space to our lonely planet.

Next up was a collection of music from 'China' where, with the help of visual projection, the audience was taken underground to the subterannean, undiscovered worlds of earth itself. The music reflected the mood perfectly, Rob's keyboards flowed through the piece, with some lovely, haunting vocals from Fiona Ford and Jason Gilman's guitar adding extra elements to the music. Nigel Moss seemed busiest with his role as bass player, mandolin player, wind instument and additional keyboards, as if that wasn't enough his talents stretched to the role of chief projectionist.

After the second track lasted for twenty-five minutes there was only time for one more, but not to disappoint it was a return to the Fula days and Behind Cold Eyes.

Alistair Flynn
Classic Rock Society Magazine Issue 148
May 2005





The Rob Gould Band at HLC Rotherham
02/04/05

It is often said that a small crowd can be a little disappointing, but on show tonight were two bands that didn't disappoint. It is a risk putting shows on in this day and age, but the stay away supporters of this kind of music have themselves to blame when they miss two great performances.

Opening up was the first outing by The Rob Gould Band. Now, three people playing music which I would describe as a cross between Tangerine Dream and Steve Hillage made the trip worthwhile. Rob himself was on keyboards, Jason Gilman was on guitar, Nigel Moss played bass, mandolin and a little keyboards, and not to mention Fiona Ford who had a bit part on vocals. Performing just three songs (two were quite long!) the set seemed to fly by time-wise.

The band started with When The Stars Threw Down Their Spears and a snippet of China, the name of the album from which both tracks are to appear which is to be released in 2005. An old Fula track was the closing number called Behind Cold Eyes in which Fiona's voice was really at it's best. Using no drums too was a feat in itself, but it has to be said, it worked well, and the album China looks to be a pleasing release. Check out the forthcoming reviews of Rob's EP's very soon.

Danny Mayo
Hairless Heart Herald
April 2005

feedback

- "a MASSIVE thankyou to you & your HUMUNGOUSLY talented band for a great show on Saturday - the projections were wonderful & hopefully I'll get to see the whole thing (China film) one day!...."
SC

"WOW!!!!!!!!...stunning live debut!"
PB

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