CAGG in Paradiso; A Not So Silent Night

The day after, and the sounds of the Christmas A Go Go night in Paradiso yesterday are still ringing in our ears. On particular moment, to be exact. Pondertone, the Utrecht bunch, playing Silent Night. Or, better, with the thunderous finale of that song in mind: Not So Silent Night (photo above).
The version started with an introduction by singer Patrick Tersteeg; he recorded this version in 2009, for this compilation. It was right after the first Gaza war; Patrick wanted to make a version with as much impact as the famous Simon & Garfunkel version. That 2009 version has a dark, menacing undertone from the start, and it stays that way. In Paradiso, the audience started singing along cheerfully, until the music took a different turn. At one point, it was free jazz mayhem. Pondertone unsilenced Silent Night, very LOUD.
This made a big impact. As our host Santajan said beforehand, songs by Pondertone have meaning. And we all felt it, right there. Because the world isn't a nice, silent and holy place right now.

Was that the tone of the night, yesterday in the upstairs room of Paradiso? Certainly not. We kicked off with Santajan and his Nieuwendammer Shanty Choir, and their rendition of Witte Kerst, which was brilliant. Our mascotte from Meppel followed, mr. S.Lois. You can see his Carter Family-influenced set HERE.
Truus de Groot, the legend, sang her slighty scary carols (this one).
Ginge made everyone fall in love with her charm and That Incredible Voice! And what a great anti-Christmasdinner song she made.
And let's not forget The Mieters! The Zaanse beat maestro's. Mostly original songs, all in Dutch. All with that driving beat. Their own hit. A fantastic cover of this xmas punk stormer by De Boegies from the eighties. And the premiere of a brand new Christmas song, Lalalalaatste Kerst, with a nod to Last Christmas. Beatastic!
Did we say charm? Oh my, Robin Kester (photo right). Oh lord. She and her guitars, that dreamy strumming. That snowcrystal clear voice. And those ghostly stories, about the lake in Wales where people ignore all the warning signs. And find out why they are there - when it's too late. And the one about her granddad, introducing Small Christmas Tree. Nailed to floor we were, intoxicated. On the verge (ok, I'm speaking for myself here).

And then, The Grey Pants. You cannot find a more charming duo. Elke and Henk (Koorn, of Hallo Venray fame). They sang their homely songs about Frankie, Birgit, watching the Sissi-series and sprinting. It turned out, they found a Christmas link in ALL their material. Spruce needles èverywhere, really. What a fine fine finale.

A holly jolly time we had. But that Silent Night version. Ringing. Like a doomsday bell in dark days. Baby, it did feel colder outside.
(Review by GUUZBOURG)

PICS BY OSCAR SMIT: