What a lovely chilled night we had at Loudhailer Acoustic last night. Thanks to everyone who came to play and listen to the music. Rich and I opened the evening with two songs from our album The Auricula Suite, In the Greenwood and Dressed in Blue before we were treated to some top music from a host of brilliant performers.
Straight off we were all tapping along with the stomping rhythms of Brian Williams’ superb and infectious southern blues harp songs (which he assured us were non autobiographical).
Jim Orwin surprised us with a trio of perfectly chosen and beautifully delivered covers instead of his usual originals. Reminiscent of Scott Walker, Jim’s vocals in his powerful version of Jacqes Brel’s Amsterdam built to an intense crescendo, which, followed by the coolest melancholy of Lyle Lovett’s Pontiac left us stunned, only to be broken by the first and only Christmas song of the night – the best fairytale song of all.
Next up Graham Beck led us on a rumba round the Scalextric track to his Song for Those Not Listening, ‘Hello…hello…’ kind of sounding like Roxy Music all rolled into one. We all listened intently of course. Graham’s debut of I am the Batman’s brand new head gear produced not only a fascinating performance but also the photo of the night. Here it is!
Half time and we tucked into The Back Room’s special spiced punch while second-half set opener, our Filey Folk Festival friend Dennis Caruana prepared to entertain us. And entertain us he did for sure, from the American Civil War to the first nurse-song of the night, which shall we say…showcased Dennis’s magnificent vocal style and range. Great fun for sure.
Rich and I were made very welcome when Andy Bassett-Scott invited us to play out east at Keyingham music club earlier this month, and it was a pleasure to welcome him back to Loudhailer Acoustic, ukulele in hand, a different nurse-song and a good dollop of Manchester banter and repartee to boot.
We all joined in. ‘Mackintyre!’. Listen out for Andy’s new radio show Island Folk on Lindsey Online in the new year.
So, there could be non better to top off the night than our Back Room host, Paul Sutton, with a rocket in his pocket, some smooth and nifty guitar work, and a fabulous Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds you blues duet with harp player Brian.
Thanks again to everyone who came along and made it such a great inspiring night. That’s it for Loudhailer Acoustic for this year, but it would be brilliant to see our acoustic night friends at our Loudhailer Electric Co. Christmas party gig at The Adelphi on Sunday 28th December.
We’re really looking forward to a top night out. Support is from Rob Eunson’s Anarchy Hanky Panky Show, embellished by Right on Cue theatre group, and then you can soak up the atmosphere with an after show chill out screening of 4ourth4loor ‘Songs from the Fourth Floor’ electronica album videos.
Next Loudhailer Acoustic is on New Year’s Day, music at 7.30. All welcome, let’s blow away the Christmas cobwebs and start the new year off as we mean to go on…with some fantastic music…keep music live!
Here are Richard’s photographs, click and scroll…
Visit our website: Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard