REVIEW: Ragamuffin Children and Rosy Tin Teacaddy

RAGAMUFFIN CHILDREN
ROSY TIN TEACADDY
HAPPY BAR
SATURDAY 11 AUGUST
Words by Martin Johnson

So, when you head down into the bunker of Happy, theres always the feeling of entering another world, expectations of music that doesn't necessarially conform to your usual constraints. Saturday night there was a step back to some times that may not have existed. First off Rosy Tin Teacaddy took the stage, with Billy in particularly good form... perhaps that wasn't tea in his cup, in fact we can confirm that, and like the couple they are, or aren't for that matter, Billy gently harangued Betty between songs with the comfortable space of days over the kitchen table sitting between them. Whether it's a fiction or not, an embellishment perhaps of Betty & Billys life, there's more to this music than two performers on stage, stepping out as they do clad in the residue of another decade & another time in a seaside cottage. The harmonies that Billy & Betty achieved were rather lovely too, give or take a few false starts and extended middles, a digression or two, all adding to the charm

Ragamuffin Children were up next & they looked like they'd fallen out of the Northwest of Califoria some time around 1969, with the particular charm they exude on stage based on a vagueness in their performance. Along with the more serious material, they break things up with singalong tunes about aliens and stories about a dog who will howl along. All very low key and intimate, plus they were on the teapot as well, and this time it really did seem to be tea they were drinking. Nice. The boy they called upon to play clarinet got a cup as well, and he seemed pleased about that. Tea folk, it could be the new rock & roll....

REVIEW: Rosy Tin Teacaddy

ROSY TIN TEACADDY
HAPPY
SATURDAY 28 JULY
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah

Betty Grey

Billy Earl

I was lucky enough to arrive in time for the last few songs of Rosy Tin Teacaddy's set. Opening for Matt Langley and band, Rosy Tin Teacaddy were not only dressed deliciously, they even had a tea set on stage with them. I like it when musicians dress nicely. It's like giving the audience respect, and saying thanks for coming to watch us. The super cute Betty Grey was a particularly refreshing contrast to the general dress code of jean's and t'shirts.

But enough about that. The music is even better. Mixing between two vocals, two guitars and harmonica, Rosy Tin Teacaddy created quite a dynamic between them. Vocally flawless, and with gentle melodies, Rosy Tin Teacaddy are an altogether lovely experience.

I'm afraid I can't say much more, as I only caught a few songs, but I believe they're playing support for Ragamuffin Children at Happy on August 11, and I'll be there!