Post by fatfingerjohn on May 14, 2017 12:05:57 GMT
Another terrific show at a local village hall; we really are blessed around here to have great artists at relatively small venues. This was organised by Warthog Promotions, a small group of local people who started this years ago and put on a fabulous range of gigs; coming up includes Fairport (sold out), John Illsley, Gilmore/Roberts, Cara Dillon, Jez Lowe, Electric Strawbs. Here's their website for interest
Anyway, the review of this show on Friday 12th at Lowdham Village Hall. I've not seen Phil Beer except as part of Show of Hands; I've always looked at him as the sort of second in command after Steve Knightly (who I also saw solo 2 months ago locally!). I must say I was hugely impressed with everything on the night. His guitar work was excellent and his vocals clear and very enjoyable.
His band consisted of
Phil Beer- Guitars fiddles Mandolins and vocals
Emily Slade – Guitar
Gareth Turner- Melodeons
Greg McDonald – Bass
Steve Crickett- Drums
Olivia Dunn – Fiddle
Phil surprised everyone, and himself I think, by starting off the show with a couple of solo numbers with a 12-String!! He said it was the first time he's played one outside of a studio for over 20 years. The full band then cracked into a very lively version of an old RT song, Restless Highway, introduced by an amusing story of him contacting RT to ask him for the lyrics to which RT said I can't remember them 'as its so long since I played it'. This sort of banter about previous anecdotes of Phil's were a feature of a fun evening. The band was excellent and 2 members (Emily and Gareth) did a couple of solo numbers part way through. Emily Slade is someone I don't know but she is an excellent fingerstyle guitarist (her main role in the band being rhythms). Overall too many great numbers to mention but Phil's solo to acoustic guitar of Simon Smith and His Dancing bear and a rousing band performance of Devil's Right Hand were notable.
After a brief warm up act (Hawthornes) Phil and his team played for nearly 2 hours without a break. For under £20 a ticket this is great value. I can never work out what these guys get for payment. The venue only takes about 175 max so with a total revenue of around £3.25k and a warm up act, 6 of Phils band, plus roadies, staging, ticketing costs and travel/accommodation expenses it doesn't leave much each!
Phil's band tour continues at about 7 more venues until end of May so catch him if you want a great evening.
www.philbeer.co.uk/tour-dates/
And next stop for me locally is Ralph McTell and Wizz Jones at another small location in Nottingham in 2 weeks! Hard life it is. 
FFJ
Jo whoever he is.
