East Anglia Guitar Festival - The Evening Concert Review
May 6, 2013 21:54:09 GMT
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Post by Mike Floorstand on May 6, 2013 21:54:09 GMT
Great to see Dave, Keith and Mark yesterday, unfortunately since they are all "of a certain age" and had to get there very early in the morning to set up the De Faoite stall, they all left early and missed the evening concert ... so the onus is one me to report how that went:
7:30 – 7:55 Stephen Kenyon
Not come across him before but clearly a very accomplished classical guitarist - sensitive and powerful performances of some classics and some of his own compositions. One of the pieces he played was Giuliani's arrangement, from the early 19th century, of Garryowen - everyone knows the tune, and I was aware of Martin Simspon's arrangement, but this one had me wishing I still had a classical guitar!
8:05 – 8:30 Andy Kirkham
Very interesting set from a fingerstyle guitarist plus a young man sitting astride a pair of cajones (!), playing mostly African tunes - at least one Ali Farka Toure song in the mix and maybe others. Some other pieces including a Klezmer tune and a Woody Guthrie. I'm not knowledgable of the African genre but some of playing reminded me of Tinariwen - - which Andy can take as a compliment given Tinawiren are an electric band while Andy K is an acoustic player. I'll admit at times I found it a bit disorienting to see a white man singing African lyrics but actually I enjoyed the African stuff more than the Guthrie tune.
8:40 – 9:05 Jon Hart Band
Local band, not my cup of tea but Jon Hart seems to be a decent enough singer-songwriter with a band comprising female backing vocals and a bassist. I didn't enjoy Jon H's guitar sound he played an acoustic (not sure what brand, had a celtic knot on the headstock) with a soundhole pickup - may be the soundman's fault but I guess you don't get a very acoustic sound from those pickups?
9:15 – 9:40 Ben Smith Band
Loudest band of the night, two electric guitarists a bassist & two drummer/percussionists. Bit too energetic for me these days - suspect they could make a good fist do a few Grateful Dead covers but on the whole I would have enjoyed this more in a different setting (like in a pub, when i was twnety years younger ).
9:50 – 10:20 Ewan McLennan
The headline act, very entertaining and a perfect end to the day. Plays a Martin Cole acoustic guitar - also favoured by Steve Tilston, an interesting design with the treble side of the body meeting the neck further down than on the bass side. At times the playing reminded me of Martin Simpson, but the vocals were always distinctive (obviously Scottish, but I think Ewan may be a better singer than Martin) and there is a captivatingly unique - Scottish! - phrasing of melodies on guitar too. On the whole the I'd say Ewan "sounds like himself" and definitely worth catching any time he plays near you.
7:30 – 7:55 Stephen Kenyon
Not come across him before but clearly a very accomplished classical guitarist - sensitive and powerful performances of some classics and some of his own compositions. One of the pieces he played was Giuliani's arrangement, from the early 19th century, of Garryowen - everyone knows the tune, and I was aware of Martin Simspon's arrangement, but this one had me wishing I still had a classical guitar!
8:05 – 8:30 Andy Kirkham
Very interesting set from a fingerstyle guitarist plus a young man sitting astride a pair of cajones (!), playing mostly African tunes - at least one Ali Farka Toure song in the mix and maybe others. Some other pieces including a Klezmer tune and a Woody Guthrie. I'm not knowledgable of the African genre but some of playing reminded me of Tinariwen - - which Andy can take as a compliment given Tinawiren are an electric band while Andy K is an acoustic player. I'll admit at times I found it a bit disorienting to see a white man singing African lyrics but actually I enjoyed the African stuff more than the Guthrie tune.
8:40 – 9:05 Jon Hart Band
Local band, not my cup of tea but Jon Hart seems to be a decent enough singer-songwriter with a band comprising female backing vocals and a bassist. I didn't enjoy Jon H's guitar sound he played an acoustic (not sure what brand, had a celtic knot on the headstock) with a soundhole pickup - may be the soundman's fault but I guess you don't get a very acoustic sound from those pickups?
9:15 – 9:40 Ben Smith Band
Loudest band of the night, two electric guitarists a bassist & two drummer/percussionists. Bit too energetic for me these days - suspect they could make a good fist do a few Grateful Dead covers but on the whole I would have enjoyed this more in a different setting (like in a pub, when i was twnety years younger ).
9:50 – 10:20 Ewan McLennan
The headline act, very entertaining and a perfect end to the day. Plays a Martin Cole acoustic guitar - also favoured by Steve Tilston, an interesting design with the treble side of the body meeting the neck further down than on the bass side. At times the playing reminded me of Martin Simpson, but the vocals were always distinctive (obviously Scottish, but I think Ewan may be a better singer than Martin) and there is a captivatingly unique - Scottish! - phrasing of melodies on guitar too. On the whole the I'd say Ewan "sounds like himself" and definitely worth catching any time he plays near you.