Show of Hands, 25th Anniversary Concert, Albert Hall
Apr 17, 2017 14:48:24 GMT
ocarolan, leoroberts, and 2 more like this
Post by andyhowell on Apr 17, 2017 14:48:24 GMT
And so another five years have past and it's time for another Show of Hand's Albert Hall gigs — to mark their 25 years. And what a superb night it was.
Steve Knightly, Phil Beer and Mirada Sykes were as superb as ever but during the evening they were lined by various combinations, including Hannah Martin (fiddle) and Phillip Henry (slide guitar and harmonica), Rex Present (Mandolin), Chris Hoban (Accordion) and unknown piano player and two extraordinary guys from the US — Matt Gordon and Leonard Podalak. these two guys played fiddles, tap danced and sang away, both accompanying SOH and performing a couple of solo spots. Oh, and there was a twenty plus choir on stage for much of the time as well!
Musically the band are in great shape. I understand Phil Beer has not been well recently but here he was playing as well as very and singing (quite a lot of featured vocals) better than I have ever heard him. As ever with these gigs they pick sets which highlight their studio releases over the last five years and so we had a lot of stuff from The Long Way Home; Wake of the Union; Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed and some the very moving stuff from Centenary (including live spoke word from actor Jim Carter). SOH are touring the festivals this summer (including the Airport 50 Cropredy) and then touring the UK in the autumn. Go see them if you get a chance.
These guys are very clever. Knightly is possibly one of the best songwriters we have at the moment, Beer always fascinating musically and Miranda Sykes very much the unsung hero with great acoustic bass and some lovely vocals. The choir was astonishingly good and the full 'line-up" really rocked the place. Their arrangements are extraordinary — even with just three of them on stage I'm amazed at the large sound they create.
The Albert Hall is probably my favourite concert venue on account of its intimacy and atmosphere. It felt like we were watching them in a folk club, albeit a big one, with better sound than usual. And the encore is preceded by a raffle which kind of makes fun of the folk club thing.
To make my evening complete my ticket was right behind the sound engineer and watching him work was fascinating. A few rows behind me sat Simon Nicol of airport who, poor man, had to endure an evening of endless selfie photos!
A great evening. I think they have already booked the Albert for 5 years time. Do go. It is one the great acoustic experiences in a wonderful setting.
Steve Knightly, Phil Beer and Mirada Sykes were as superb as ever but during the evening they were lined by various combinations, including Hannah Martin (fiddle) and Phillip Henry (slide guitar and harmonica), Rex Present (Mandolin), Chris Hoban (Accordion) and unknown piano player and two extraordinary guys from the US — Matt Gordon and Leonard Podalak. these two guys played fiddles, tap danced and sang away, both accompanying SOH and performing a couple of solo spots. Oh, and there was a twenty plus choir on stage for much of the time as well!
Musically the band are in great shape. I understand Phil Beer has not been well recently but here he was playing as well as very and singing (quite a lot of featured vocals) better than I have ever heard him. As ever with these gigs they pick sets which highlight their studio releases over the last five years and so we had a lot of stuff from The Long Way Home; Wake of the Union; Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed and some the very moving stuff from Centenary (including live spoke word from actor Jim Carter). SOH are touring the festivals this summer (including the Airport 50 Cropredy) and then touring the UK in the autumn. Go see them if you get a chance.
These guys are very clever. Knightly is possibly one of the best songwriters we have at the moment, Beer always fascinating musically and Miranda Sykes very much the unsung hero with great acoustic bass and some lovely vocals. The choir was astonishingly good and the full 'line-up" really rocked the place. Their arrangements are extraordinary — even with just three of them on stage I'm amazed at the large sound they create.
The Albert Hall is probably my favourite concert venue on account of its intimacy and atmosphere. It felt like we were watching them in a folk club, albeit a big one, with better sound than usual. And the encore is preceded by a raffle which kind of makes fun of the folk club thing.
To make my evening complete my ticket was right behind the sound engineer and watching him work was fascinating. A few rows behind me sat Simon Nicol of airport who, poor man, had to endure an evening of endless selfie photos!
A great evening. I think they have already booked the Albert for 5 years time. Do go. It is one the great acoustic experiences in a wonderful setting.
Jo whoever he is.
