Show of Hands, Royal Northern College of Music (19/11/15)
Nov 20, 2015 9:13:27 GMT
Martin, ocarolan, and 5 more like this
Post by leoroberts on Nov 20, 2015 9:13:27 GMT
I can't count the number of times I've seen SoH (well, I probably could, but i'm a lazy bugger with a hazy memory) but this gig really took me back. The first time I saw SoH as a duo (rather than other incarnations) was many moons ago (early 90s?) when they toured as the support for Ralph McTell and I went to see Ralph at ... the Royal Northern College of Music.
As I may have mentioned 427 time or so before, my eldest daughter is the archivist at RNCM and she had contacted Phil and Steve to see if they'd like a look at the historic Instruments collection. She was chuffed when they said they would - and they both went down to have a look (Miranda was doing the soundcheck). Steve had a quick look around and then had to go and do his soundcheck but Phil stayed about 40 minutes chatting to Heather and was, according to her, extremely interested and knowledgeable. He, of course, fancied that Stradivarius violin,
and said that Paul Downes had a couple of the old English Guittars (sic) which he just "leaves lying around his flat."
Heather was a bit starstruck and forgot to take any photos - and even forgot to ask them to sign the guestbook! But Phil took quite a few photos so I'm hoping they turn up online at some stage. The collection stayed open for anyone else to have a browse and she was delighted that quite a few people came in and had a look around. The collection is only open for viewing at very limited times but, if you fancy having a look around, Heather says just let me know and she'll arrange it. There's a couple more photos at the end of this post.
And so on to the gig itself. They played two sets. The first half included a few songs from their new album (The Long Way Home) which, whilst not on general release until January, was available to buy on the night. This included the title track, a few traditional songs (including a sea shanty sung in 3-part harmony unaccompanied, and a number of other songs.
The second half was, according to Steve, their 'Greatest Hits' and included all the songs you'd expect: Crow On The Cradle, Galway Farmer, AIG, and loads more. My highlight (as it always is) was Innocents Song which is just a hauntingly beautiful (and disturbing) song.
The 'encore' was two songs ... firstly just Steve and Phil playing, purely acoustically with no amplification, their McTell tribute of 'The Setting/Mary of Dungloe' before Miranda rejoined them for 'Cousin Jack'.
'Twas an excellent evening all round, so it was
Now, we've had a number of threads on this 'ere forum about travel guitars ... what about a travel violin?
and some mandolin type thingies ...
and one of these things... (a lyre?)
It's not all 'folk' instruments as we have come to know them ... there's also a Peruvian trumpet made from a human thigh bone, Aztec bagpipes and loads more. Well worth a visit if you're ever in the area.
As I may have mentioned 427 time or so before, my eldest daughter is the archivist at RNCM and she had contacted Phil and Steve to see if they'd like a look at the historic Instruments collection. She was chuffed when they said they would - and they both went down to have a look (Miranda was doing the soundcheck). Steve had a quick look around and then had to go and do his soundcheck but Phil stayed about 40 minutes chatting to Heather and was, according to her, extremely interested and knowledgeable. He, of course, fancied that Stradivarius violin,
and said that Paul Downes had a couple of the old English Guittars (sic) which he just "leaves lying around his flat."
Heather was a bit starstruck and forgot to take any photos - and even forgot to ask them to sign the guestbook! But Phil took quite a few photos so I'm hoping they turn up online at some stage. The collection stayed open for anyone else to have a browse and she was delighted that quite a few people came in and had a look around. The collection is only open for viewing at very limited times but, if you fancy having a look around, Heather says just let me know and she'll arrange it. There's a couple more photos at the end of this post.
And so on to the gig itself. They played two sets. The first half included a few songs from their new album (The Long Way Home) which, whilst not on general release until January, was available to buy on the night. This included the title track, a few traditional songs (including a sea shanty sung in 3-part harmony unaccompanied, and a number of other songs.
The second half was, according to Steve, their 'Greatest Hits' and included all the songs you'd expect: Crow On The Cradle, Galway Farmer, AIG, and loads more. My highlight (as it always is) was Innocents Song which is just a hauntingly beautiful (and disturbing) song.
The 'encore' was two songs ... firstly just Steve and Phil playing, purely acoustically with no amplification, their McTell tribute of 'The Setting/Mary of Dungloe' before Miranda rejoined them for 'Cousin Jack'.
'Twas an excellent evening all round, so it was
Now, we've had a number of threads on this 'ere forum about travel guitars ... what about a travel violin?
and some mandolin type thingies ...
and one of these things... (a lyre?)
It's not all 'folk' instruments as we have come to know them ... there's also a Peruvian trumpet made from a human thigh bone, Aztec bagpipes and loads more. Well worth a visit if you're ever in the area.
(kidding 
)
Jo whoever he is.
