WELLERMAN

The Alma

Friday 3rd April 2009

The last time I had been to the Alma was with Andrea for a meal and my impression of the pub then was that it was aimed more at diners then drinkers. The band are a 5 piece so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Wellerman, or more to the point if the Alma knew what they were booking because I was aware that a lot of people were intending to go.

I like everyone I had spoken to I had never heard of Wellerman, so I had a quick check on there website. They said that they were not trying to sound like Paul Weller, but were a band playing Paul Weller songs. There website showed their playlist which was mainly his solo songs with a sprinkling of Jam songs.

I arrived at the Alma at 8.30pm and there was already a healthy crowd in place. Just after we arrived thay completed a sound check and accoustically the sound was good, the only problem with the Alma is a huge great fire place in the middle of the pub which certainly restricts viewing.

They started just after 9 and in total gave a set of approx 1 1/2 hours with my personal favourites being 'from the the Floorboards Up' and 'Town Called Malice'. As predicted on the website they did not particularly sound like Weller, none the less they were still quite punchy in their own way, they were quite tight and I got to say I was quite impressed with the lead singer who style was perfect for the Paul Weller's songs.

The band had only been together for 4 months and admitted their playlist was limited especially on Jam songs. I would certainly see them again and hopefully their playlist would have expanded.

I think possibly the Alma may have changed its priorities as there weren't that many diners. Hopefully they may have more bands, the pub is quite small and the viewing is a little restricted but this makes the venue quite intimate, not unlike the Swan at hatfield Peveral.

All and all a good night, good music, good beer and good company who could ask for more. 

http://www.wellerman.co.uk/home 

Colin April 2009