Review by Adrienne Meddock from Zub RecordsBefore hitting Spain, Tubby and Co. hosted a single show in April.
I think the feed started early! It began a bit disorganized, Robyn in his white-on-black polka shirt strumming a tentative tune, then walking off camera, talking to Emma, followed by Emma entering to check on the video feed, and Robyn returning, playing a lengthy intro, welcoming all to Tubby Towers Studio B, mentioning Easter and Passover, then playing a mid-tempo ‘September Cones’ from You & Oblivion, which had a strong ‘Here Comes The Night’ feel. Next a request for ‘Noirer Than Noir’ from Shufflemania!, definitely hitting some John Lennon buttons.
By request from Reg, Emma appeared, looking fine in a leopard smock. Thanks to the Fancy Feast Fund were given out. Eventually the duo sang “Creeped Out American Girl” from Spooked. This was direct and sounded like the anti-Tom Petty, who was mentioned at the end. Then the duo sang a great ‘More Than This,’ by Bryan Ferry. The high parts were fantastic. Squishy toy Mr. Squeaky the Cone was introduced while Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were discussed. After much convo, the duo played ‘One Long Pair Of Eyes,’ from Queen Elvis, one of his best songs, sung perfectly by Em and Reg. Emma left for the laptop and the chat room.
Reg started on Groover requests, with ‘The Abyss’ from Tromso, Kaptien. This led straight into ‘Listening To The Higsons’ from Gotta Let This Hen Out!, a catchy tune with the ‘whoa-ohs’ throughout. Right into “Ultra Unbelievable Love’ from Perspex Island, done rockabilly style. Emma appeared with seltzer for Reg and more thanks for Groover contributors. After some discussion, the duo did ‘Sometimes A Blonde’ from Spooked, somewhat dark and Velvets-like and tantalizing. After a long convo, the duo did ‘Nietzsche’s Way’ from A Star For Bram, one I had not heard live before. Emma announced that Reg is going to tour Spain, and there would be no more streams in April, they will resume in May. The duo played ‘Virginia Woolf’ from Robyn Hitchcock, one of my favorite Reg songs. For a final song, the Duo played a slower-than-usual version of ‘Ride’ from Perspex Island.
This was an epic stream, almost two hours, featuring obscurities (‘Nietzsche’s Way',' The Abyss’), hits (‘One Long Pair Of Eyes,' Virginia Woolf,’ ’Higsons’) Everything was put together, sounding great, and Emma always adding to the songs. It will be a long wait for the May streams!