The Green Park Tavern is a somewhat bizarre venue. Decorated with large flowing curtains and twinkling fairy lights, the cosy atmosphere automatically makes you feel welcome. The venue attracts people of all ages, shapes and sizes, and is reminiscent of being in a little tent, previously unexplored, at Glastonbury Festival. The low-panelled ceiling, cabin-like bar and external decking make you feel remarkably like you're on a boat - but whether it's on land, water, or in the air, it's a great space for live music. Duck themes Playing tonight were The Duckworths, a six-piece band from Bath, who have recently completed a 12-date tour of the country to an excellent response. The main members of the band are Lawrie, Jools, Steve and Greg on vocals and guitar, piano, melodica and vocals, drums and vocals, and bass respectively. The brass section can vary in size from gig to gig. Tonight it consisted of baritone saxophone and trombone, which proved to be a delightful combination. It is clear from the moment they start to play their Duck Theme that they are going to be like nothing you've ever heard before. The Middle Eastern-like melody on the melodica and the punchy chords on the guitar make this an enjoyable instrumental intro to their set. Laid-back swung number Ahabs Blues demonstrates their versatility with musical styles. They thoughtfully mix rock 'n' roll, jazz, country, and many other styles of music to create their own distinctive sound, and it works incredibly well. Sometimes they sound like The Coral meeting Mozart, other times like Bob Dylan meeting Dolly Parton, but each song has its own unique flavour that makes their set such a pleasurable and exciting one. Come Around has an upbeat tempo, powerful brass chords and superb two-part harmonies in the vocals, while English Pride has an unexpected Latin feel, considering the suggestive title. Particular favourite of mine, The Best Place to Hide, features sensitive chromatic guitar riffs and chords, with beautiful vocal harmonies - when the drums enter, it gels perfectly. An enchanting and pleasurable experience The audience loved The Duckworths - they filled the dance floor from the beginning and demanded two encores, even though the promoter didn't want them to play on because there were two more bands to get through. They've recently released a seven-track CD that they sold a number of tonight to the impressed audience (me being one of them). The tour and the CD make it seem that it's looking good for The Duckworths, and deservedly so. They are a very entertaining band, and all marvellous musicians, so I see no reason why they shouldn't do well. They also look as if they're having a good time on stage, and that there's nothing more they would like to be doing than playing together. This rubs off onto the audience and makes seeing The Duckworths an enchanting and pleasurable experience. Misty's Big Adventure and Ralfe Band Also on the bill were Misty's Big Adventure, a band who has supported the likes of The Zutons and the Magic Numbers on tour. Their songwriting skills are obviously very good, but the lead singer had an arrogant attitude and I found him slightly irritating. A couple of years ago anyone could say something anti-George Bush, and everyone would be on their side, but in 2006 I think it's getting a bit boring - we've heard it all before. They also played a surprisingly short set that even the promoter was stunned at - perhaps he should have let The Duckworths play for longer after all. Headliners Ralfe Band were awe-inspiring. You can read a review, and listen to an interview, from a previous gig in Somerset by clicking on the link at the top of this page. | 
