brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Nov 14, 2014 11:05:45 GMT
Last night I saw Show of Hands perform at the Royal Hall, Harrogate. Though I have many of their records, this was the first time I had seen them live.
The Royal Hall is a delightfully old fashioned music-hall style venue, befitting the genteel town it occupies.
The early signs for the evening were very good: no less than than 11 assorted acoustic stringed instruments, including an impressive double bass with an affixed ‘quiver’ to hold the bow, and a uke.
The concert started about 10 minutes late, prompting an outburst of tutting from the rebellious wing of an otherwise very appreciative audience. It was a pretty full house, with an average age disappointingly around 50 years, though with receding ponytails and abundant beards much in evidence, mostly among the men.
The music started with a sparkling version of “Be Lucky”, followed by a storming performance of the “Blind Fiddler” by Phil Beer. This set the tone of the evening – mostly old favorites, plus a short medley from the recent “Centenary” (with a taped accompanying poem read movingly by Jim Carter, of recent Downton Abbey fame) and a couple of new songs.
Steve Knightly was in droll form. Swigging from a bottle of “Harrogate Spa” water, he was impressed that even the water up North was hard. When a man in the audience called out for “Long Dog”, it was suggested that he seek treatment for this medical condition that was only marginally less serious than “Blue Cockade” (neither of these songs received an airing on the night). But the highlight was the little known story of Elvis’s visit to Budleigh Salterton after the war, after which there was a new form of delta blues – Exmouth Delta - showcased by Phil Beer on slide guitar, with the suggestion that Elvis might also have played a part in Phil's birth…
Memorable performances for me were: a powerfully emotive version of “the Gamekeeper” (Steve Knightly discovered only recently that his grandfather had fought on the Somme); a wistful rendition of Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice”, with Steve accompanying himself on gob iron; a solo performance by Phil Beer of a fine seasonal song by Steve Ashley; a superb piece of unaccompanied singing by Miranda Hart, who was brilliant all night on the thumping, groaning double bass but whom I wished had sung more; and rousing sing-along versions of “Cousin Jack” and “Country Life”. However, the highlight was the encore of “Galway Farmer”, which had the good burghers of Harrogate stamping, clapping and singing for all they were worth.
In all, SoH played for about 2½ hours, representing for me excellent value for the £25 I paid for a very good seat. Afterwards, the audience was invited to join the band in the bar but sadly I had to get home. All in all, I had a cracking night that I shall remember for as long as what remains of my memory still functions. I would recommend anyone with even the slightest interest in folk and acoustic music to see them live if you can.
I also learned last night that Tommy Emmanuel is playing in Harrogate after Christmas: I might well go.
Brian
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Nov 14, 2014 11:24:19 GMT
Champion. I'm going to see them tonight in Liverpool... really looking forward to it!
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Post by Martin on Nov 14, 2014 11:31:21 GMT
I wish they were coming to play up here - they're brilliant live, and Miranda is amazing  |
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Nov 14, 2014 11:32:21 GMT
Champion. I'm going to see them tonight in Liverpool... really looking forward to it! Hope you have as good a night as I did. The perfect evening: superb music, preceded by a magnificent curry and with an ice cream at half time. It just doesn't get any better than that! Brian |
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Post by mandovark on Nov 14, 2014 11:41:29 GMT
Great review. Makes me nostalgic - haven't seem them live for a couple of years. I'd wanted to go to the Liverpool gig, but I'm playing in a ceilidh tonight. Maybe next time!
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007
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Post by 007 on Nov 14, 2014 12:45:51 GMT
Brill
thanks for posting Brian
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 14, 2014 12:57:07 GMT
I wish they were coming to play ... here - they're brilliant live, and Miranda is amazing +1. I just love Miranda too. And the brilliant thing about Phil Beer is that he gurns differently on different instruments, ie his "guitar face" is different from his "fiddle face" etc. Oh, and he can play a bit too! Great review Brian, thanks. Keith |
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Nov 14, 2014 13:16:12 GMT
+1. I just love Miranda too. And the brilliant thing about Phil Beer is that he gurns differently on different instruments, ie his "guitar face" is different from his "fiddle face" etc. Interesting - I shall have to watch the live DVDs again in order to study this... |
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Nov 14, 2014 13:55:07 GMT
And the brilliant thing about Phil Beer is that he gurns differently on different instruments, ie his "guitar face" is different from his "fiddle face" etc. Oh, and he can play a bit too! I am particularly fond of his mandolin "trying to put a brave face on having a shit whilst constipated' face |
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Post by leoroberts on Nov 15, 2014 14:59:06 GMT
And what a jolly evening it was! St George's Hall is one of Liverpool's most iconic buildings - directly opposite Lime Street station - and, to my shame, I'd never actually been inside it (which is odd seeing as I'm a scouser and it used to include law courts). Attachment DeletedThe concert itself was in one of the smaller concert rooms (holding maybe a couple of hundred folk) and was filled to capacity. The acoustics were superb. Not surprisingly the concert followed the same format as brianr2 outlined for the Harrogate gig the evening before. (By the way, Brian, it isn't a ukulele, it's a cuatro) Being a (reasonably) small venue, the second half started with Steve Knightley strolling onto the front of the stage, unplugged and playing 'Widecombe Fair' (as referenced in my 'Inner Seth' song, doncha know?) Phil Beer then joined him on fiddle from the back of the hall... pretty amazing stuff - the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck; which is just as well as that's about the only part of my head that has any left. Most of the 'old favourites' were played - although a couple were played with new arrangements and 'The Lads In Their Hundreds' from the Centenary CD was a particular favourite with Phil Beer and Miranda Sykes offering counterpoint backing vocals from a completely different song which somehow just worked. As always, they invited people to buy a CD and copy it for a friend - "it's not piracy; it's generosity" and Steve commiserated with all those who had been dragged along to a folk concert before welcoming them to their "worst nightmare - a chorus song" Miranda's double bass playing, whether picked or bowed, just adds so much to the overall sound and I'm wondering when, if ever, she becomes an official 'member' of the band. She's been on their last 4 tours after all... They are, all three of 'em, really happy to spend time chatting after a concert with whoever stays for a word. Steve can be a wee bit full of himself although why shouldn't he be? Phil and Miranda are completely unassuming to the point of shyness. If you get the chance to go and see them - do. You'll not be disappointed. I've been to a few live gigs just recently - Craig & Willoughby, Phil Hare (and I'm going to see Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby again tomorrow evening) and now SoH and each gig has been intimate and engaging despite significantly different surroundings and audiences. I guess I'm just lucky that the music I love is played by such nice people |
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Nov 15, 2014 16:50:57 GMT
I am glad leoroberts that you seem to have enjoyed yourself as much as I did. I very much agree about Miranda Sykes. Her playing and singer add enormously to the SoH sound. It really wouldn't be as good without her. I also share your view about the importance of the right venue. You would lose so much in anything less intimate. Brian |
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007
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Post by 007 on Nov 15, 2014 18:56:28 GMT
I saw them all about 6,7 years ago at the Folk club in Leicester it was exactly the same as described above
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Post by chad on Nov 18, 2014 18:45:06 GMT
SOH's are excellent, seen them a number of time's, one of the best was at Peterborough cathedral, great gig, and the venue certainly added to the atmosphere
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Post by scorpiodog on Nov 20, 2014 11:25:16 GMT
I was a bit obsessed by them for a while. Went to see them, together and solo several times. In Devon in 2008, I think, I saw them on consecutive nights!
They put on a proper show, these guys. And their business model is absolutely exemplary. This is the real purpose of my post.
Miranda, while a very important part of their sound, and while very talented, has not been with them from the beginning. She wasn't there when they were a poorly paid duo paying their dues at the pubs and clubs on the South Coast, and she wasn't part of the bulk of their recorded material (I think Witness may have been the first album she played on). On their fan site "Longdogs" 2 or 3 years ago, Phil Beer was asked bluntly (during a question and answer online session) why they didn't bill Miranda as a member of Show of Hands and he said (words to the effect)that they had built this successful business, and, in common with any small business owners, they weren't about to give it away. I find this perfectly reasonable.
Do remember that all three of them have solo/other combo activities. Miranda tours with a mandolin player, Rex Preston. Phil plays in all sorts of bands and solo, and Steve does at least one solo tour every year.
Profit sharing in such a complex environment can be an absolute minefield, and, though to some it may be distasteful to discuss, it is extremely important. Musicians find it really hard to make a living from music alone, and we wouldn't have such a rich musical resource if these things weren't resolved properly.
Any road up, I don't have such an obsession with SoH any more (although I still buy all their cds as soon as they come out), and I think it'll be a while before I go to see them again, but I may well go to see Phil soon. He's doing a concert with Reg Meuross in a church not far from here, and I may well go to that.
Fine, fine musicians. I'm glad you both enjoyed their shows.
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 20, 2014 11:34:23 GMT
.............. I may well go to see Phil soon. He's doing a concert with Reg Meuross in a church not far from here, and I may well go to that..................... Recommend that you do go Paul - saw Reg and Phil together in a tiny village hall nearby several years ago - excellent evening it was too. Reg, although he writes lovely songs and sings and plays them very nicely, is maybe not the most engaging solo performer, but Phil adds a great deal as you might imagine! Keith |
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Jo whoever he is.
