We had another candlelit night of good music and good vibes last night at Loudhailer Acoustic. There was a surprising amount of stand up thrown in for good measure so plenty of grinning and groaning too.
Rich & I got the ball rolling with Gloria Mundi (Loup Garou and maybe even the odd weredeer to be spotted) and a pair of murder songs and then settled down to tuck into Maria’s wholemeal cheese and sun dried tomato scones and listen to the music.
First up Jeff Parsons played a trio of songs from his renaissance writing period. ‘The Man from Galilee’ featuring a beautiful descending chord sequence, ‘Poppies’, his brand new thought provoking take on remembrance day, and ‘Why Me?’, again showcasing Jeff’s amazing to watch upside down guitar picking.
Our first visitor from the south (bank of the Humber), it was Dick Appleton who really started the jokes coming. Fresh from his performance on Bill Horncastle’s Foxes Den Vixen Radio Show, Dick played a highly entertaining set and not only threw in a stand up show, but a poem about a tortoise and some superb finger picking guitar tunes to boot. Dick followed the light-hearted tale of ‘The Onion Man’ with ‘Helpless’, an instrumental inspired by 2004’s Tsunami, featuring another beautiful descending chord sequence, and topped off his set with the finger pickin’ good blues tune ‘Goin’ to Chattanooga’.
Click on the images to view and enlarge Richard’s portraits of last night’s players:
Next up, it was great to welcome Trevor Appleton to Loudhailer Acoustic. Trevor runs Gallery Acoustic at Bainton, which we look forward to going to soon. He played a gentle and heartfelt set of soulful songs – Dougie McLean’s ‘Holding Back’ & ‘Not Lie Down’ and Alan Taylor’s ‘Standing at the Door’ – all lovely renditions. Good harmonies coming from the audience too, especially from The Smugglers’ corner. Which brings us to…
Fresh from the recording studio and brandishing their new 15 track CD, The Smugglers were on top form last night. Well, four fifths of the Smugglers, Andy had deserted the camp to go and see Nik Kershaw (according to Matt). A stand up bass is always a great addition to the acoustic night and there was some good hearty singing along in ‘Union Miners’. The Smugglers’ next song was the second time we have heard a song about the fantastic true story of The Visitor, Captain Gibson and The Robert Whitworth. (Bonus point for anyone who can tell us about the last time…anyone?) Nick Dawson took the lead in the last song in the set, a timely and moving performance of Eric Bogle’s ‘And the Band played Waltzing Matilda’.
Last up before a cake-break Pete McLeod hit the stage with a grin and a joke before playing a top set of poignant Bob Dylan favourites. Pete’s easy going style, big voice and rich sounding Gibson makes even a sad song feel good, we loved it.
There was time for another song each, and the jokes were in full flow after the break. Jeff treated us to a journey through all the bands he’s been privileged to see over the years Beefheart in ’75, brilliant!…and those he was just too young to catch, yep know the feeling. Chocolate was the theme of Dick’s final finger lickin’ good tune of the night, followed by a voyage to Australia with Trevor’s ‘Singing Land’. More harmonies on and off the stage filled the room with The Smugglers’ last song to Rosie-Anna, ‘Rolling and Flowing’. Finally, it was a big welcome to Roy who joined Pete to play a splendid harp on their thundering rendition of Canned Heat’s ‘On The Road Again’. And there we were, on the road again, until next time. Thanks to everyone who came to play, and to Chris and the team at Willerby MC Hall for having us, and of course to everyone who came to listen to the music.
The next Acoustic night is Saturday December 14th, and it’s Rich’s birthday weekend (36), so come and join us for a combined Christmas/birthday party, all welcome always a great night.
One more thing before we go – there was a distinct shortage of women on the stage last night, but we’re going to more than make up for that for sure at next Saturday’s Loudhailer Special. Vicki Genfan and Sally Barker with support from Saffron Byass, and hosted by me, Lou, at Willerby Methodist Hall. So, November 16th, 7.30 p.m. doors, it will be a superb gig, and a rare chance to see the super talented Vicki & Sally together. Come and join the party, bring your friends, be great to see you there!
Rich & Lou