Welcome to a new year of Loudhailer Acoustic! The first one was back in 2010, so here we go into our seventh year. And what a great start to 2017 it was.
The Back Room was as welcoming as ever with a lovely vibe and great audience. Dexter joined me and Rich on violin for a couple of songs to open the show, then it was terrific to welcome Phil Pipe back with two great songs and a poignant tale of George W Bush’ meeting the Indian Nations and hope in times of Trump. Strawberry Moon featuring Jeff Parsons, Dez and Cathy Allenby and Kelvin Baldwin played two fabulously groovy songs with echoes of Parisian cafes and were followed by John Cox’s funky summery sounds, just what we needed on a January night. Brian Williams’ kept up the feel-good music with his amazing blues harp and one man band rhythm section with two fine Sleepy John Estes classics.
It was ace to welcome Carrie Hitchcock to Loudhailer Acoustic for the first time, and especially good to hear her fabulous version of Michelle Shocked’s Graffiti Limbo. Carrie recently published a wonderful book of photographs and stories of her time in Hull, and got in touch as she wanted to include a CD of tracks by my band at the time, Janes Plane. I love the book – like Carrie I lived on Coltman Street when I was a teenager, and then bought a house on Stepney Lane for £1000 – which you could do back then – so lots of it is strangely familiar. Although our paths crossed we didn’t really meet until last night – so there was lots to chat about over a glass of wine at the break.
Dez Allenby opened the second half with two songs, first up, a truly wonderful brand new piece – Travellers’ Tales – performed for the first time. It was a mesmerising song including the most evocative spoken word stories and Dez’s beautiful shruti box. We were enchanted and I can’t wait to hear it again. Excellent to see Kelvin Baldwin join Dez on cajon for an amazing version of Keep Your Eyes On The Prize (Hold On). A fab set from Ian Martinson – great that he played two of his own newly written songs accompanied by Roy Lyon on harmonica. He was followed by Martin Peirson who played super songs from his forthcoming album to be launched at Kardomah 94 on February 17th – be there! I looked round the room during Graham Graham Beck’s doom version of Action Man with a Giraffe’s Head, and vampy Monkey in the Clog Tree to see smiles of wonder and incredulousness – a hard act to follow, but done with ease by Roy Lyon who sat back and played two tracks from his album recorded by John Cox and 68 years in the making. Thanks to everyone who came to play, and to everyone in the audience, it’s always such a lovely night.
The next Loudhailer Acoustic is Friday February 3rd – note the day change to a Friday, just for Feb, then back to Thurs in March, so, Friday February 3rd and Thursday March 2nd 2017.
Here is Rich’s gallery of photos from the evening. Click on an image to see the full picture and scroll through…
Thanks to Paul at The Back Room in Cottingham, a lovely music venue with good craft beers.
Just before we go, here, out of the woodwork following Carrie’s book, Janes Plane and Vondelpark. The footage is from a Channel 4 programme back in 1982. We actually got to support Stiff Little Fingers at the Brixton Ace/Fridge. I’ve had that fretless Music Man a long time…
Hope to see you next time, and it’s always great to welcome new people – come along and listen to a fabulous range of acoustic music, quality songwriting and some familiar classics from a host of different performers. Loudhailer Acoustic is at The Back Room 175a Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BB. Doors 7.00 pm music at 7.30 pm £2 entry. If you would like to come and play a couple of songs please contact us to let us know – it’s always great to see new and familiar faces.
Click here for reviews and photos of past Loudhailer Acoustic nights and to find out more.
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Look forward to seeing you!
Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard – Visit our Home Page