Darlingside - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (01/11/18)

Photo credit: Nick Bennett

• Line-up: Darlingside with special guests Wildwood Kin

• Date: 1st November, 2018

• Location: O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

• Video credit: Martin Cox

With their biggest London headline gig to date, the excellent Boston based quartet Darlingside thrilled audiences with another superb performance. A frequent visitor the band have been very active in cultivating and growing their UK audience. In the last eighteen months they have headlined the Union Chapel and Courtyard Theatre, showcased at the AMA UK conference, as well as a UK tour and festival appearances.

The very talented Darlingside feature Don Mitchell (guitar, banjo, vocals), Auyon Mukharji (mandolin, violin, vocals), Harris Paseltiner (guitar, cello, vocals) and David Senft (bass, kick drum, vocals). These 'band of brothers' are all from very different musical backgrounds and performance styles including chamber music, choral singing, Celtic session playing and street busking. NPR described them as 'exquisitely-arranged, literary-minded, baroque folk-pop'. Simply put Darlingside’s music plays is thoughtful, cinematic and often deeply moving. There is a special and magical feeling about it. All the band are all highly skilled multi-instrumentalists with a super tight delivery in their playing and harmonies. They certainly have the 'wow!!' factor.

For this headline London gig they invited their special guests, the excellent up-and-coming West Country family trio Wildwood Kin. Darlingside had first met them when they shared the bill at Celtic Connections. Having two groups with great harmonies, songwriting and musicianship complemented wonderfully on the night.

Wildwood Kin opened with the powerful and atmospheric ‘Warrior Daughter’, full of tight harmonies and driving percussion. Also taken from from their debut album ‘Turning Tides’ was the beautiful ‘Run’, which was championed by BBC Radio 2 and received a lot of airplay, The band are currently working on their second album and are also set to a release a new covers four-track EP ‘Voice Of Equilibrium’ at the end of the month. It was exclusively on sale during their live dates. Their set included two songs taken from the new EP, wonderful versions of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ and Robyn’s ‘Dream On’.

Including more tracks from their debut album, ‘On and On’ was a beautiful song themed about unconditional love. Wildwood Kin had recently been invited to perform at the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ anniversary show. The song they played live on the show was ‘Steady My Heart’ and they showcased it once again..Wildwood Kin perfectly concluded their set with another powerful song the very catchy hit ‘Taking A Hold’.

After a short break the very impressive Darlingside took to the stage. Grouped around a condenser microphone they played tracks from their new album ‘Extralife’ as well as previous albums ‘Birds Say’ and Pilot Machines‘ and their EP ‘Whippoorwill’.

The set opened with the Simon & Garfunkel flavoured 'Singularity' giving the warm encouragement that individually we can difference. It begins and ends with a Septavox which gives it a 80's video game feel. With themes of pre-apocalyptic earth "Someday a shooting star is gonna shoot me down. Burn these high rises back into a ghost town of iridium-white clouds. Matted close against the ground. While the sky hangs empty as a frame!'. The word 'Eschaton' carries the idea of the period of time immediately preceding the end of the world' “No matter what we’ve been....We are the upshot now. Time, they all know the time and what we used to be. Signs, look at the signs. Tell me what you believe". The song suggests that we forget past nostalgia and focus on the present. Making the most of it while we still can, all the while trying to make a positive difference. The track has a very interesting blend of electronic music and underlying string arrangements.

With it's fuzzy guitar opening the wonderful 'Go Back' had shades of early Mumford and Sons. Brittle synthesizer-like sounds from Auyon’s mandolin seamlessly mesh with acoustic and 12- string Danelectro guitars for a great rock groove. The beautiful ‘White Horses’ is the band’s ode to Chicago. Sparse notes from banjo, acoustic guitar, violin and keys punctuate the solemn and beautiful song. Next the retro sounding 'My Girl, My Guy' had shades of CSNY and the Beach Boys. Named after the Scottish island, ‘Lindisfarne’ had a beautiful string arrangements and soaring Beach Boys choir-like celestial harmonies.

It was now time for the title track of their latest album ‘Extralife.’ It's introduction feels like being inside a 80's computer game, before launching into the band's trademark super rich harmonies. Examining current world events It begins with the phrase, 'It’s over now........The flag is sunk'. I love the lyrics in the second verse 'In the only game I ever played, I am the ageless one. Another hunted bird. An arcade word. A living machine love. There must be something i've lost sight of.....Extralife.' Just like a computer game do we have a second chance to reset....to gain that extra life? ‘The Ancestor’ is the opening track of the 'Bird's Say' album. With it's bowed cello and gentle mandolin playing, it reminded me of a gentle version of a Keston Cobblers Club track. It was time next for a rare cover with a great acapella rendition of Neil Young’s ‘Red Sun’. This was followed up by the always entertaining and clever ‘Harrison Ford’.. 

Written in Santa Fe, New Mexico 'Orion' looks towards the sky and stars for inspiration. Soft mandolin plucks accenting the song like the myriad stars in the heavens. "The paint is peeling off of a dream. Pool is draining into the sea. Tomorrow is beginning to take an equal and an opposite shape. Beach is just a line in the sand. The tide is in the palm of your hand. It's looking like a star over you. Either way the end is around the bend". I love the rich and atmospheric lyrics in the song.

Another beautifully written track is 'Hold Your Head Up High' with it's soft strummed acoustic guitar, accordion and added brass motifs "How it rambles 'round the moon. A let-go-of balloon. Nothing is forever, everything is soon. And my father as he stands A perfect cartoon man. Heavy-sighed and open-eyed, I heard him speak. See that humankind is you. Like all the rest, down to the scratches on the album that you're singing to.'  To close the main set they brought out one of their very popular older songs from their debut album ‘Pilot Machines’. The rocky, psychedelic and very catchy ‘Blow The House Down’.

With the sound of a very happy audience ringing in their eyes the band returned to the stage for the encore. Inviting the very talented Wildwood Kin back to the stage to join in on backing vocals, Darlingside performed a great version of the reflective ‘Best of The Best Of Times’.

They saved one of my favourite songs, the quite simply stunning ‘God Of Loss’ to close the evening. It was the first song I heard from the band on it’s release and it still hasn’t lost any of it’s magic.

The unique Darlingside create a wonderful slice of contemporary folk culture, with a huge helping of flair and panache. A musical 'band of brothers' all very talented in their own right, coming together to create a piece of magic and its’something that they all clearly enjoy immensely. Darlingside have found their signature and highly engrossing sound and the world is a much better and richer place for it.

With a new Darlingside UK tour promised in the autumn of 2019, we would highly recommend that you go along.

Sam Kelly And The Lost Boys - Bush Hall. London (11/11/18)

THE LONDON ROOTS FESTIVAL

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• Line-up: Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys with special guests Honey and the Bear

• Date: 11th November, 2018

• Location: Bush Hall, London

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

A ‘Remembrance Sunday’ gig at the wonderful Bush Hall in London saw one of the UK’s finest young folk bands headline a very memorable night of music. It was full of passion, high energy and high quality music.

Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys have gained a worthy reputation as an very exciting live band. They are also a folk super group, full of very talented award winning individual musicians in their own right. They played a slightly reduced regular line-up at Bush Hall with Graham Coe (The Jellyman’s Daughter) and Archie Churchill-Moss (MMR) missing. But still had the awarding winning Sam Kelly (The Changing Room), Jamie Francis (The Changing Room, Stark), Toby Shaer (Seth Lakeman, Carousel), Ciaran Algar (Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar) and Evan Carson (The Willows, The Changing Room, Ange Hardy) in their ranks. 

Special guests Honey and Bear, the newly married duo of Jon Hart and Lucy Sampson. had joined Sam and the band on their tour in March last year and the combination worked perfectly again. Hailing from Suffolk their great blend of Folk and bluesy Americana really complemented SKATLB’s more high energy Folk Rock style. I’m always fascinated by multi-instrumentalists and both Jon and Lucy swapped their multitude of instruments with ease. Their infectious music and tight rich harmonies adding to the mix. Subject material included the long distance yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, Dulwich under the sea, a lovely song dedicated to their grandparents and the beautiful ‘Sailor’s Daughter’.

After a short break Sam and The Lost Boys opened with the upbeat ‘The Kings Shilling’ from the band’s self titled debut album. The album version also features Kitty Macfarlane, who has just released her excellent debut album also produced by Sam.

Included on Sam’s 2015 EP ‘Spokes’ ‘Hickathrift’ tells the story of a giant killer. Tom Hickathrift is a legendary figure of East Anglian English folklore, a character very similar to Jack the Giant Killer. 'Angeline The Baker' (Roud 1834) was written by Stephen Foster for the Christy Minstrels and first published in 1850. The original Appalachian tune laments the loss of a female slave sent away by her owners. The song was also featured on Jamie Francis’ debut solo album.

The title track from Sam debut EP ‘Spokes’ followed but not before an anecdote about the song being played a few times on BBC Radio Shropshire on its release, enabling the band to buy a Freddo between them with the PRS radio royalties. Sam mentioned that the song was also played on the TV series ‘Hollyoaks’.

Sam revealed that Jamie and himself had recently signed a publishing deal. ‘Like Lennon and McCartney’ Sam said ‘You now have Kelly and Francis’. ‘Francis and Kelly I thought’ corrected Jamie with a smile. ‘He doesn’t say much, but when he does…..it’s solid gold’ said Ciaran laughing.

Taken from Sam’s second album ‘Picking Up The Pieces’ with ‘The Changing Room’, ‘Gwrello Glaw’ meaning ‘Let It Rain’ is a stunning song sung in Cornish. Sam mentioned that he played the song at Jon and Lucy’s wedding as their first dance. We returned to a nautical theme for a dark tale in which a lady's lover long lost at sea, returns to her and persuades her to come away with him to a distant land. After boarding the ship, in the true traditions of folk music, she quickly realizes all is not as it seems......[spoiler alert] one of the versions of this traditional song is called 'The Demon Ship'. The love interest of the traditional song 'The Bony Lass of Fyvie' gave them the title of their latest album 'Pretty Peggy'. On the album version the band are joined on the track by the wonderful Cara Dillon.

Described as ‘the stuff of nightmares’ by Sam, the ‘Dullahan’ is a headless Irish horseman who collects the souls of the dying. With its excellent high energy finish, this song is also found on the bands debut album. Next was a song dedicated to Sam’s grandparents who inspired his love of folk music, the beautiful ‘I’ll Give You My Voice’. Sam mentioned that you can find himself and his grandfather playing music together on YouTube.

First collected in the late 70’s from the North East of England and learnt from the singing of M. Knopfler, was a super high energy version of ‘Sultans of Swing’. It’s always a crowd favourite and it didn’t take much to have the audience singing and clapping along.

'The Close Shave', a very clever and funny variation on the traditional song 'Barrack Street'. It tells the unfortunate tale of gold miners in the a New Zealand town, cross dressing, gross deception, heavy drinking, robbery and a never ending cycle. The personal and tender 'Chasing Shadows' written by Sam is a song for a close friend and for anyone currently going through a tough time. Sam also mentioned that is now available on all BA flights, as it has been added recently to their playlist.

To finish the main set the band played ‘Greenland Whale’, a very catchy high tempo traditional whaling shanty is sometimes know as 'The Whale Catchers' or 'The Twenty Third of March'. It's a real toe-tapper with a great hooks and a sing-a-long chorus.

Their encore song ‘Healing Hands’ was followed with a couple of tunes, 'Josh's Slip' by Toby and 'Rookery Lane' by Ciaran which form the uptempo 'Shy Guy's Serve' set.

With a standing ovation and the sound of a very happy audience ringing in their ears the band knew that they had performed one of their best London gig to date. Another excellent addition to The London Roots Festival.

Photo Credit: Navigator Records

Photo Credit: Jon Hart

Honey and the Bear

Music Makers Festival - The Half Moon, Putney (6th - 7th Oct 2018)

• Event: Music Makers Festival

• Date: 6th - 7th October, 2018

• Location: The Half Moon, Putney, London

• Website: www.musicmakersfestival.com

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

The Music Makers festival in just it’s second year is rapidly becoming one of the premier events on the London music calendar. It wonderfully showcases the ‘songwriter and the song’, with original music the main focus. But with the occasional cover song added for good measure.

With 14 acts performing over two days the festival had an excellent new home at the historic music venue The Half Moon in Putney. The festival also highlighted the great talent and high quality music we currently have in the independent music world. Albert and Manoja even managed to add a few surprise guests into the already fantastic line-up.

Saturday

The festival opened with a fantastic young St. Albans based singer-songwriter Hope, with her beautifully crafted reflective piano ballads and pure vocals. Playing a mix of original material and a Nora Jones cover, Hope created the perfect opener with her very compelling performance. She mentioned that her father used to drink in The Half Moon in his university days, so it was very fitting that she had the opportunity to perform at the venue. Hope will also be supporting Brian McFadden at The Boisdale in Canary Wharf in early November.

Travelling over from Cork was one of Ireland’s most prolific singer-songwriters Jack O’Rouke. Dramatic and powerful piano ballads were the order of the day. A great mix of contemporary folk, blues, jazz and Americana, including an anthem for the recent marriage referendum in Ireland and a wonderful cover of Bowie’s ‘Life On Mars’ to finish.

Next up were the fast rising London based Country Pop and Americana band Two Ways Home. This time the band was playing in trio format with Lewis, Isi and Michael, which I thought worked very well. Gaining a lot of experience from running their own London Nashville style ‘Songwriter In The Round’ show ‘The Round Up’, they were perfectly at home on the Half Moon stage. Performing a mix of new and older songs they explained the origins their compositions, including some recent co-writes in Nashville including ‘Hope & Glory’ and ‘Vegas Wheel’. Their set ended with the the audience singing along to the very catchy ‘Push & Pull’.

Travelling up from Brighton was Jacko Hooper who has supported both James Bay and James Blunt on tour. Jacko had not performed in London for over a year, so it was a rare opportunity to catch him live. His songs reminded me of Damien Rice and Glen Hansard. One of the highlight of his set was the duet ‘Runaway With Me’ with special guest Rebecca Wrangler.

It was only fitting that one of the wonderful key organisers of the MM festival the award winning Albert Man took to the stage next. Joined by Dan on bass and Joe on drums Albert played a selection of new songs including ‘Chasing Rainbows’, ‘Blink’ and some old favourites ‘Shotgun’, ‘Say Out Loud’ and ‘Groundhog Day’.

One of my favourite bands of the day were the Treetop Flyers, a Folk-Rock/Americana band from London. Playing a rocky bluesy stripped set with just two members and one sitting in the audience. Super songs, guitar playing and vocals. They are supporting Israel Nash at the Scala soon and I would highly recommend booking a ticket. Also please check out their recently released self titled album.

The evening concluded with an excellent set by London based four-piece AKA George. Full of catchy songs, driving rhythms and a electrifying stage presence, they reminded me of the sadly missed INXS. Hailed as a ‘genius’ by Pharell Williams, AKA George is current gaining a lot of recognition with 30 million YouTube views, a headline performance one one of the stages at Glastonbury and one of the band singles ‘Stone Cold Classic’ used on a recent Skoda advert. Definitely one to watch for the future.

SUNDAY

The Sunday programme began in a similar way to Saturday with an excellent opening set from a young singer-songwriter, this time the very talented Lucy May Walker. Lucy is based in London but is originally from Redditch. You will often find Lucy busking around London including at the famous Southbank. Armed with her trusty acoustic guitar and thoughtful catchy songs she charmed the audience. One of the highlights of her set was her song about London living ‘You’re Not Alone', which she entered into a London song competition. Lucy will be having a live session and interview with Jeremy Vine on his BBC Radio 2 show on the 31st October. Also please check out her latest EP ‘Heartbreak Songs’

Also joining us from the Emerald Isle was Irish singer-songwriter Declan Greene. With great craic and a rich powerful vocal Declan was a charming and engaging showman. Opening his set with a powerful unaccompanied song and then picking up his acoustic guitar for the rest of the set. Songs included ‘River’, ‘Clean Break’ and a cover of the Moody Blues ‘Nights In White Satin’. The last song saw Declan play his song ‘Stay’ unplugged in the middle of the audience, exiting the packed room with the audience still singing along to the chorus.

London based singer-songwriter Mide and his band provided a change of style with their combination of smooth Soul, R&B and Rock, joined my fellow band members Joseph and Michael. Mide played a great set including ‘Name’ which he said was great for weddings, the rocky uptempo toe-tapper ‘The Way You Move’, a tribute to his father ‘Wind Chimes’ and two lovely songs about love ‘Wonder’ and ‘Falling For You’.

As a surprise the very talented Dublin born Gavin James performed a great two song mini-set. First with his song ‘Always’ on acoustic guitar, which he described as the ‘saddest song ever’ and then a lively duet with Declan on the Bruce Springsteen classic ‘Dancing In The Dark’.

The very classy Danni Nicholls always makes in impression with her great brand of UK Americana. She was nominated as ‘Artist of The Year’ at the recent AMA UK awards and it isn’t to difficult to understand why. Danni is currently working on her third studio album and from what I’ve already heard it is going to be very special. Her set included songs from the new album ‘Loosing It’ and ‘Ancient Embers’ as well as a few older favourites ‘Hey There Sunshine’, ‘Beautifully Broken’, ‘Back To Memphis’, ‘Long Road Home’. To finish ‘A Little Redemption’ which is based on a hymn, had all the audience joining in on the humming section.

Continuing the high quality music was London based Howard Rose with his brand of Soul and Country Rock n Roll. Howard was joined on stage by band members Joe Cartwright (bass) and Damon Claridge (drums). An excellent set including songs from his latest EP ‘Changes’ and a great cover of Harry Nilsson’s ‘Without You’

Mercury nominated Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers is always a class act. With her 1964 Gibson Hummingbird in hand she treated the audience to new songs and songs from her solo album. She was joined by band members CJ James on drums and Andy Bruce on keys/bass. Listening to her set was a perfect way to spend a chilled Sunday night.

Closing the festival was another Irish singer-songwriter Kim Hayden from Wicklow and her band. Kim was a semi-finalist on the TV series ‘The Voice Of Ireland’ and see mentioned that it was her first time performing in London. Joining her on stage were Gus Crawford Collins, Geoff Warner-Clayton and brothers Ben and Ian Cully. Kim said that her drummer is from Putney, so he was playing on home turf. Often sharing the lead vocals with Ben, Kim played a lovely and entertaining set of her songs including her new single ‘Trouble’.

A special thank you to MMF founders Albert Mann and Manoja Ullmann for arranging, organising and hosting such a great festival. To Ross Macintyre (Play That Country Music) who did a a great job MCing and interviewing the artists and to all the hard-working MMF team. A special thanks also to Nina Jackson and her team at The Half Moon including sound engineer Linnea Kempe, who I thought did a fantastic job all weekend.

I can’t wait until the next one, a definite date for your 2019 diary.

Emily Mae Winters - Cecil Sharp House, London (03/10/18)

‘HIGH ROMANCE’ PRE-RELEASE UK TOUR

• Line-Up: Emily Mae Winter Trio

• Location: Trefusis Hall, Cecil Sharp House, Camden

• Date: 3rd October, 2018

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

• Photo Credit: Tony Birch (FATEA)

The hallowed halls of the home of English folk music Cecil Sharp House provided the backdrop to a wonderful headline gig from fast rising star Emily Mae Winter and her superb band. Emily was joined on the night by the very much in demand John Parker (Nizlopi) on double bass and the very talented Jamie Leemings (Solasta) on electric guitar. The combination works perfectly adding a perfect complimentary backing for Emily’s rich soaring vocals and high quality songwriting. The gig was the very first one for Emily as a full time musician, having recently given up her teaching job.

After a short introduction by EFDSS’s new creative director Zoe Nicholls of the Worry Dolls, the first set was opened with the atmospheric ‘This Land’. Powerful vocals from Emily’s coupled with her new mint green Gretsch, bowed double bass from John and Pink Floyd like guitar break and slide guitar from Jamie. Emily concentrated on some of her newer songs in the first half and the next one in the set was the lovely ‘Lately’. Although currently based in Cambridge, Emily previously lived in London for seven years….and might be returning in the new year. ‘Lately’ with it’s rich feel is Emily’s tribute to the capital. Emily said that she wrote the next song ‘How To Fix A Broken Sun’ while shadow hopping in the hot summer sun. It made her wonder what would happen if it suddenly stopped shining. The sun is also often used as a metaphor for happiness and new beginnings. Continuing the London theme the next song ‘Until The Light’ was written on the Southbank. After a switch to her Tanglewood guitar due to a misbehaving Gretsch, this one was played solo. Gentle finger-picking really complimented the song’s content. It was a return to the Gretsch after some quick maintenance by John. ‘Would The World Stop Turning’ is a beautifully song and I was so glad to see it included in the set. Returning to an older song Emily played an acoustic version of the excellent ‘Miles To Go’. To further enhance the set Emily played ‘Across The Wire’ a reflective Piano song about receiving love letters in the modern era. About the problem of getting things across and of being in love.

Emily then spoke about her current Pledge campaign and pre-sale for the album (link below) and that title ‘High Romance’ carries the idea of escapism

https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/high-romance

Up next was the title track of her debut album ‘Siren Seranade’. which she wrote at Lake Balatar in Hungary after sadly being dumped. Emily conducted the audience in two sections to provide the underlying humming two-part harmonies. The award winning ‘Anchor’ provided a fitting end to the first half. A song written by Emily at 17 years ago when she was living in Conakilty in West Cork, Ireland. A song themed on a sense of home and place based on people and your roots.

After a short break the second half began with a new piano ballad ‘One Of These Days’. Emily used the metaphor of children washing up on a beach like treasure and trying to explain the world to them. A perfect seasonal song was the autumnal ‘Blackberry Lane’ about blackberry picking in Cambridge. Written in Ireland another excellent song ‘Foreign Waters’ was the title track of Emily’s debut EP. We had a special guest Elisabeth Flett, Jamie’s band mate from Solasta, who joined Emily on fiddle for the next traditional song ‘Down By The Sally Gardens’. Solasta will be performing next in London on the 11th October at The Goose Is Out! Ivy House in Peckham.

We shifted up a gear for the up-tempo Americana and Western flavoured song about gin and whiskey ‘Gin Tingles and Whiskey Shivers’. Which is sure to be a popular live track on new album. With a powerful County Rock feel another new track ‘Wildfire’ was next and worked very well with the previous track. Another highlight was ‘Come Live In My Heart And Pay No Rent’, a song which Emily has recently adapted from an Irish poem. A fitting encore was a solo acoustic cover of the Goffin/King classic ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ with the audience joining in on the harmonies.

Emily is one of the fast rising young stars of the UK Americana and Folk world. We see a very bright future ahead.

Paul Mosley - Green Note, London (16/11/17)

WINTERTIDE EP LAUNCH

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• Line-up: Paul Mosley with special guests Robin Elliott, Jack Harris, Esther Dee, Raevennan Husbandes, Anna Unwin, Darren Allford and Catherine Earnshaw
• Location: Green Note, London
• Date: 16th November, 2017
• Website: https://www.paulmosley.com/
• Website: http://jackharrismusic.com/
• Website: http://www.robinelliottmusic.co.uk/
• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)
• Photos by: Mike Watts

An evening spent in the company of the excellent singer-songwriter Paul Mosley is always a special and very worthwhile experience. After releasing his fantastic critically acclaimed and epic folk opera 'The Butcher' last year, Paul returns with a number of new projects including this his new seasonal five-track EP 'Wintertide' which is released on the 17th November.

The launch was an great opportunity not only to showcase Paul's new EP, but also to celebrate some of the wonderful songs from Paul's long and distinguished musically career and finally to look to the future with a taster of his forthcoming 2018 releases. The night also included a host of special and very talented guests including two great support sets from Robin Elliott and Jack Harris. Plus members of Paul's ensemble The Red Meat Orchestra.

The evening was opened by London based singer-songwriter Robin Elliott, who originally hails from the North West of England. The always busy Robin has written material performed by Ben Walker, Samantha Whates and Sophie Jamieson amongst others and his music and songs have featured on the soundtrack of the feature film 'A Very British Gangster' and on Channel 4's 'Cutting Edge'.

His set included songs from his latest release 'At Sunset' as well as his 2015 EP release 'Green Ginger Wine'. Wearing a red smock coat and carrying his Gibson acoustic guitar, Robin's opening words to the audience were 'I don't have much time, so I'm going to smash out the hits'. He duly followed with atmospheric 'William V' with it's strong narrative themed on the early 1980's London riots. Vocally and stylistically it reminded me a little of Sting. The retrospective and gentle 'Par Avion' showed off Robin's lovely vocal style and soft finger-picking, with a equally fine arrangement. Post party blues and the effects of a big night out where discussed next in 'Gentle Chunks', with it's vivid and poetic imaginary. After a brief interlude describing why Kolo Toure's face superimposed over the Milky Way would be his favourite stage backdrop. Robin then played one of my favourites from his back catalogue 'Lean Times', a song about daily suffering and hardship, accepting that things won’t be getting better any time soon. It came complete with a mouth trumpet solo. Hot off the 'musical' press was a new song 'Mute The Button' recorded a few weeks ago in Brighton. Robin described it as like 'Metropolis - The Musical'. "Everything is modern and big" he said. He played a backing track to the song from his trusty laptop, complete with metronome clicks and female harmony vocals. He was 'The Singer at The End Of The Song'.

Following Robin was another LCM favourite, the very talented Jack Harris. The craftsman songwriter, vocalist and guitar player, who has been described by Anais Mitchell as "a priest of song" and we would agree. Jack has perfect comic timing and provided a masterclass in stagecraft including sharing with the audience that it's a trade secret to always mention your name three times in a set. This all too short section of the evening started with the wonderful 'Medicine Bow' followed by a new song 'What Am I Gonna Do About You? getting an early outing. Jack then contemplated on how he would like to be remembered. What would be his musical legacy and inheritance? Originally he said he liked the idea of building an adventure playground, but now after much thought Jack has finally set his heart on a memorial library. Time will tell if that dream will come true.....but for now his songs are becoming his rich legacy.

One of my favourite songs from Jack's previous back catalogue is the beautiful written, reflective and gentle 'Donegal', so I was extremely pleased to see in included in his set. Jack then raises the mood for a toe-tapping, bluesy and Irish Americana favoured Andalusian song about 'good time girl' 'Molly Bloom'. "Hey Molly Bloom you mountain flower....They're wild about your loving, you'll have your fun and it might as well be me as anyone". Just like a true pro that he is, after breaking a guitar string tuning just before his final song, Jack put his guitar down and launched into a unaccompanied song. It was his version of the Dave Sudbury classic about the very famous racing pigeon 'The King Of Rome', which was first made famous by June Tabor......the song that is....not the pigeon!

Not only was Paul celebrating the launch of his Wintertide EP, but also it was ten years since the release of his debut solo album 'Fear' in 2007. It has also been fifteen years since the release of 'The Swimming Zoo' in 2002 with his previous group indie folk cult band Moses. It was fitting then that Paul's first song was '100 Swans', his first solo song in Moses. 'Wintersun' followed the first track from his 'Wintertide' EP. It has a real 'Laurel Canyon' late 60's retro feel about it with catchy hooks and dream like melody. It would sit very happily on a CSNY album. 

With it's lullaby like melody the 'The Romantic' is the super title track from the Paul's 2011 'The Romantic album. For this one Paul was joined on stage by the very talented Anna on cello. Tackling a more serious and timely issue was 'Sumberland' written for a very close friend who took his own life. Paul said that 'International Men's Day' which sounded like a Richard Herring punchline was a very important event' Especially discussing on the subjects of mental heath and the problems with modern toxic masculinity. The album version of the song has a beautiful harp section by Tom Moth.

Paul then explained how after recording 'Sumberland', Florence from Florence & The Machine stole his harpist Tom. "I wouldn't have minded" said Paul "But I had to learn the 'bloody' ukulele!!". He cheekily included a section in the next song 'This Way For Fun' of Florence's 'You've Got The Love'.......adding the line "Yes....You've got the love........and you've got my harp player too!"

One of the lead tracks from Paul's highly acclaimed epic folk opera 'The Butcher' followed the lovely 'Satellites' where Paul was joined on vocals by Jack. The atmospheric and haunting duet with Esther on 'Ghosts Ships' is one of my favourites from Paul's 2011 'The Romantic' album. I love the beautiful operatic solo from Esther and the poignant last line "Just like ghost ships, we both refuse to die". Paul explained that Esther, who was in the super group The Medieval Baebes, shared the same management for a while. "She was the best one in the group so I pinched her". Paul joked "If it's not nailed down, I'll have it!" 

Raevannan and Anna then joined Paul for a song from his excellent 2013 'A Chattering of Birds' album with the very special 'Skylark Above Me'. Paul then apologised and said that "I don't normally talk too much between songs......it all gets a bit panto". "Oh no it doesn't!" came the reply from the audience

A glimpse into the future next as Paul performed four tracks from his forthcoming 2018 project 'The Loneliest Whale in The World" #TheWhaleProject. It was based on an story of a unidentified whale with a call at 52 Hertz, which is much higher and at a completely different frequency from any other known whale. So sadly no other whale can hear it and answer its call. It is now thought that the whale might be a very rare Blue Whale/Fin Whale hybrid or even deaf. The first song of the #Whale set was super 'Shadowboxing' followed by 'We All Sing The Same Song' with it's harmony singing intro. Paul said that it was inspired by child tourists all with same clothes, hats and backpacks moving around London like shoals of fish. This was followed by the lovely 'Silence Said The Whale' and finally the title track 'The Loneliest Whale in the World', written from the viewpoint of the 52 Hz whale.

As it was the Wintertide EP launch it was fittting that the last song of the main set was its title track. Paul's new single is based on the famous Christmas carol 'I saw three ships go sailing by...''  Paul described it as “an epic journey through the eyes of three captains and the ominous dangers that come with the seas.” Check out below the great new innovative 'Wintertide' video with Jack Harris, Esther Dee and Josienne Clarke guesting as the three captains.

For the encore, Paul returned with a heartfelt and reflective song about unrequited love 'Mama's Boy' with it's powerful refrain "Please don't turn away from me now".

It was another excellent evening in the the company of Paul and his very talented ensemble The Red Meat Orchestra, wonderfully supported by Jack and Robin and special guests Esther and Rae. A brilliant set of songs from Paul's outstanding musical career and a preview of the new music to come......I can't wait to hear the studio version of the next EP....I'm going to have a #whale of a time!

Show Of Hands - Union Chapel, London (09/11/17)

• Line Up: Show Of Hands with special guest Kirsty Merryn
• Location: Union Chapel, London
• Date: 9th November, 2017
• Website: https://www.showofhands.co.uk/
• Website: http://kirstymerryn.com/
• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

Steve Knightley, Phil Beer and Miranda Skyes better known as the multi-ward winning Show Of Hands, are one of the best Folk groups in the UK. They have honed their skills and craft over very many years together to create a fantastic night of music and entertainment. Their gig at the Union Chapel as part of The London Folk & Roots Festival and their 'Cathedrals Tour' was one of the best live performances I have seen from them. An evening of pure magic starting from their opening unaccompanied a capella walking through the audience to the stage to their very well deserved final standing ovation. Their music is thought provoking and sometimes hard hitting but always wonderfully written and presented. They blend traditional and contemporary folk with themes and subject matter which really resonate and are timely in highlighting important and topical issues of the day. 

Introduced personally by Steve, it was also a very important night for their special guest, London singer-songwriter Kirsty Merryn who was also launched her debut album 'She & I', themed on a collection of stories about inspirational women. Kirsty is getting a lot of attention for her music recently with a bursary from EFDSS, festival appearances and now a series of support appearances on the current Show of Hands UK 'Cathedrals Tour'. Kirsty's music is heavily anchored in the folk tradition, but also has influences from her background in jazz and classical music. She also has a fantastic pure crystalline vocal and delighted the sell-out Chapel audience with her delicately introspective piano based songs and sophisticated musical style. 

Murder ballads are a staple of Folk music and Kirsty's opening song was 'The Outlandish Knight', where unusually the heroine survives to tell the tale, unlike in this case the unfortunate Knight. 'Winter In Ontario' followed, one of the lead tracks from her debut EP 'Just The Winter', about being snowed-in in Canada. Celebrating the life of the author Jane Austin 'Love in A City Room' also taken from her 2013 debut EP, explores the practical side of love in a unromantic age. She continued her classy set with the unaccompanied 'The Birds Are Drunk', another folk murder ballad, this time based on a Persian poem. Kirsty's family was her next inspiration for 'The Pit and the Pugilist' about her great great grandfather Tommy Mitchell, who won a major boxing match and received a gold watch as his prize.

One of the highlights of the set was Kirsty's new single 'Forfarshire', a wonderful live duet with Steve Knightley. The song is based on the life of Grace Darling an English lighthouse keeper's daughter, famed for participating in the rescue of survivors from the shipwrecked 'Forfarshire' in 1838. It also explores the life of her father William. Kirsty completed her set with the wonderful 'A Song Of Parting', which is currently a free download for joining her mailing list. Something we highly recommend.

Walking slowly through the audience in the aisles to the stage singing the 'The Old Lynch Way', Steve, Phil and Miranda created their own piece of magic. They vocals rang around throughout the Chapel with the song's fantastic 'call and response'. It was one of the many 'goose-bump' moments on the night.

Once on stage the band started with the very moving and atmospheric 'The Preacher', first recorded on their 1995 'Lie of the Land' album. Show Of Hands have a strong social conscience and this was evident in their next song 'Cold Heart Of England' written by Steve in a Tesco's in Bridport in 2002. It discusses how negative changes often created by big business lead to the determent of local communities. Also very timely was a song about Halloween 'Hallows Eve' with strong audience participation joining in on the choruses.

'The Gamekeeper' is a story about a soldier in the Devonshire regiment in the Battle of the Somme. It was also the song that started SOH's critically acclaimed WW1 'Cententary' project. The song includes parts of the lyrics of the 'The Keeper' and 'Love is Handsome'. Always a firm favorite is Liam Clancy's famous 'The Parting Glass', in this version it has new lyrics from Steve but coupled with the original tune. This segued perfectly into Chris Hoben's 'The Lily & The Rose' with Miranda on lead vocals. 'No Secrets' is a new song written by Steve after a Folk singer friend asked him for one piece of advise on getting married. Phil said 'Don't' and Steve said 'Have no secrets', which became the basis of the song. Then it was Phil turn on lead vocals on with 'Exile', which Phil described as the best song that Steve has ever written. Their twin acoustic guitars playing of lead and rhythm working in perfect synchronicity.

The band over the years have developed a network of friends wherever they stay on tour, Stevie described them jokingly as 'safe houses'. The next song 'Smile, She Said' was inspired by photos changing over time in the home of one of the families they often visited. Kirsty joined them on piano and vocals. Always another very atmospheric song was Sidney Carters 'Crow On The Cradle' and SOH's stunning version was no different, with on Phil lead vocals and Steve on Bouzouki.

In 'IED: Science and Nature', disease is sinisterly portrayed as an unexploded bomb waiting to be detonated by forces unknown amid ghostly echoes of the traditional song 'The Trees They Do Grow High' and the gospel-tinged 'The Worried Well'. Tiny decisions and random chances often having a great impact on life. The traditional Celtic ballad 'The Blue Cockade' features a young man being forced to enlist in the army and wanting to return to his true love. The song then deals with the aftermath and the sadness and pain of his promised lover. Some really lovely harmonies and guitar solos on this one.

For the encore SOH chose another song with a current theme 'The Flood', dealing with the forces of nature, man's interference and the consequences. It then moved at the end into a William Blake poem. The evening finished as it had started with the band moving off stage and standing at the front singing unaccompanied the sea shanty working song 'Keep Hauling' with everyone in the venue joining in with the 'call and response'. Another goose bump moment as Steve, Phil and Miranda left walking down the Chapel aisles singing together with their enthusiastic audience.

Another standing ovation followed.

A very classy, magical and special evening by one of the UK's leading Folk groups and a fabulous debut album launch from a new potential star of the future.