Thanks to everyone who came to Loudhailer Acoustic this month. It was a bumper edition and we loved it all. A record crowd and an awesome throng of performers made for a fantastically entertaining night out. We were treated to new sets from some of our Loudhailer regulars, singers, spoken word, whistling, a host of instruments – clarinet, flute, bouzouki, harmonica, English concertina, violin, bodhran, a variety of guitars of different styles and tunings, keyboards, a lawn (artificial), a dog (real), an amazing shruti box, all topped of with a great vibe in a lovely venue, a great audience and a choice of craft beers to wash it all down.
There were highlights in every set. In order of appearance – Dodge McKay’s cool performance of his contemplative songs including the title track from his new album Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, followed by Vivian Querido’s haunting and creative original solo violin tunes, all beautifully played.
Two brand new sets next on the bill – Gifford Rolfe’s preview of songs from his next album – he sure can write a good song and just keeps ’em coming. Joan Foye joined Gifford on vocals and for the first time on guitar accompaniment, great to see. Jeff Parsons’ new songs eloquently and perceptively explored the challenging issues of suicide and mental health – and later to balance the scales he had a surprise up his sleeve and had us singing along to a rare cover of Love’s 1968 classic, Alone Again, Or.
Our first new-to-Loudhailer guest of the evening was poet Nigel Walker, whose word images of the ice cream filling station on Oxford Road sounded delicious. He treated us to the premiere of his newest poem – Spurn – and invited us all along to his new poetry and music night – Imaginary Gardens – at Kardomah 94, starting in November. Looking forward to it. Barry Cundill’s songs took us from Laredo to Holderness as he whistled, sang and wandered the stage before it was time for a half time chat and a glass of wine.
The first of six new guests opened the second half of the evening. Peter and Dermot have been in the audience before so it was great to welcome them to the stage this time. Peter introduced their set saying variety is the spice of life – how true tonight. Their set of clarinet and flute pairings, A Stroll In The Park, A Bit Of A Lark, and Dancing In The Dark were superb, with just the right amount of good humour, and they went down a storm.
Rich and I were so much looking forward to our next guest and he was ace. Dez Allenby played three Forest songs, the first time they had been played together since 1970 or thereabouts, including one of our favourites of all time, a fantastic rendition of A Glade Somewhere on his English concertina and shruti box providing the necessary hippie drone. With a fabulous easy going presence and some great snippets of stories, Dez was brilliant and we loved it. Cathy joined the final song for some wonderful harmonies. What a treat. Next up Martin Peirson played songs from his new album, joined by Dez on harmonica and I was dancing along at the bar.
I thought Rich excelled with his introductions during the evening this time. So how he managed to welcome stunning blues harp player Brian Williams as Hull’s best dressed pole dancer I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure Brian started it though. And he was certainly on top form with some fine pre blues and blues tunes to get everyone stomping along.
There was a very warm welcome for singer songwriter Jack Parker. Jack has a cool confidence a smooth smoky voice and some fine rhythmic original guitar songs. With his first album in the pipeline, we’re looking forward to him coming back soon.
You could hear a pin drop as our penultimate guest, Jim Orwin played two of his classic songs, One Bridge (Indiana Jones) and Time’s a Waste. With a copy of his brand new book to boot, The First Boxing Day, available from his Dancing Sisters publishing company. Based in East Yorkshire, check it out.
At last what Scarlet had been waiting for all evening, at the end of a fabulous eclectic night was the inimitable Graham Graham Beck, topping off the show with some Blancmange and a superbly manicured lawn. We all joined in, All Praise indeed. Fantastic!
Have a look at Rich’s gallery of photo’s. Click on an image to get the full picture and scroll on…
Thanks to everyone who came to play and listen, a lovely audience, fabulous performances all round and to Paul Sutton at The Back Room in Cottingham, a great live music venue.
Make a date for the next Loudhailer Acoustic, the first Thursday of the month, so October 1st – full details here, be great to see you there!
Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard – Visit our Home Page
