ý

Explore the ý
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

27 November 2014

ý Homepage

Local ý Sites

Neighbouring Sites







Related ý Sites


Contact Us

Reviews

You are in: North Yorkshire > Entertainment > Music > Reviews > Acoustic wonderland

Acoustic Gathering II

Acoustic wonderland

Peasholm Park looks beautiful tonight. Headliner Chris Helme is singing a gentle song called “Pure”, his fragile voice floats above flickering candles, up to the recently rebuilt oriental Pagoda. It can only be Acoustic Gathering II.

Acoustic Gathering II began perfectly at midday, with 15 year old Alastair Schmuck. His version of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" made perfect Sunday afternoon listening. Deep vocals and agile finger work from Phil Latham sounded divine, while Whitby's Alex Kirby is infectious and entertaining.

The sun's shining for cello and guitar duo The Producers, theirtender songs move effortlessly as dragon boats glide past the stage.

Comperes Graham Rhodes and Mr Jim introduce The Pieces; a superb local duo comprising Jon Neaves and Ed Preston, who win over the crowd with inspiring close harmonies, competent musicianship and fantastic songs. A little older are Adams & Greaves, whose voices gel softly together onJohn Martyn's "May You Never". It's a heart warming sound and the congregation of pigeons fluttering abovethe water stage seem to be enjoyingit too.

Boat rowing past the stage

Billy Neilson is an interesting songwriter. "Too Emotional" keeps the crowd guessing as it twists and turns through different rhythms and unexpected chord changes. Further proof of local talent comes from blues singer/guitarist Tom Townsend, the ever rhythmicJess Hutchinson and Ollie Banks, whose songs are given an extra depth with the addition of congas, cello and musical saw.

Amaya Huntley sings like an angel on her own "Sunny Afternoon".Captain Ant's visuals take effect on screens behind the stage, but grey clouds gather as Carl Woodford takes to the stage, opening with "The Love, LaughterAnd Money Show". Woodford's vocals sound strong during "Bridge Song" and the rain holds off until the appearance of opera singer Vicky Wright. Accompanied ably by pianist David Evans, her poignant versions of "He Was Beautiful" and "I Dreamed A Dream" warm the spirits of the drenched audience.

From Birmingham, Vijay Kishore has an extraordinary voice, while Hayley Hutchinson's vocals are as radiant as the rainbow which appears for fellow headliner Tasmin Archer. "I feel a little nervous" smiles Archer, but the audience doesn't mind, and sing along to her number one "Sleeping Satellite". Equally soulful is Jess Gardham from York, with a voice reminiscent of Tracy Chapmanduringa touching song called "Patience".

Tom Hingley counts us down to "Saturn 5", one of the best songs he ever performed with The Inspiral Carpets. The crowd is taken on a further nostalgic trip with the Carpet's “Dragging Me Down” and a stirring version of Ben E King's "Stand By Me".

Summer may nearly be over, but AG 2 once again showcased our areas localtalent andwasthankfullywell supported. Thankstoall theperformers, volunteers, the brilliant sound crew, stage hands and of course the event organiser Steve "Whiskey" Dickinson.

David Wright

last updated: 28/09/07

SEE ALSO

You are in: North Yorkshire > Entertainment > Music > Reviews > Acoustic wonderland



About the ý | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy