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The 2010 Concert at the Venture Theatre will take place on Saturday 16th October. Watch this space for info as and when it becomes available. 2009 CONCERT - a review The X-Factor? Britain’s Got Talent? You don’t know what you’re missing! The Ashby Songwriters performed to another packed house at the Venture Theatre on Saturday 14th November as family, friends and lovers of live music braved the stormy weather. Although the majority of acts were performed by amateurs, the show had a distinctly professional feel to it enhanced by the slick handover between acts and ably compered by Mike Underhill.
Then came the finale with all the performers on stage, and those not in the ShabBs being given some form of percussion to join in with ‘Undergrowth’, a song by Ade Smith from his days in 'The Chapter' and dedicated tonight to his dad. It was sung by Ade from his position at the drum kit, a good rocking number to end the night and send the audience home happy.
Heather Simm Click here to visit the Venture Theatre website. | ||
Ade Smith opened the show with two very different songs. The lively ‘Realitease’ urging us to switch off the T.V. and get a real life, and ‘Life’s a Beach’, with lyrics by Heather Simm, a love story throughout the years. A slower, but no less poignant, piece which was an entry in the Songwriters Collaboration Competition.
Quiet Storm, aka Dawn Jacques and Julie Wightman, took to the stage next with a backing group made up of Ade on drums, Chris on bass and Al on lead guitar giving solid backing . The girls’ voices blended well when bringing true emotion to ‘Tell Me Why’ and a touch of the raunchy with ‘Louella’s Lust’ – with its rocking feel.
Neil Roberts also played a number from the Collaboration Competition accompanied by ‘Big’ Al Rutherford whose guitar riffs had inspired the song ‘Some People are Crazy’ dedicated to the guitar legend John Martyn. Neil then shared his love for Walsall Football team in the award winning and comic ‘The Song of the Mighty Saddlers’ which was well received by football fans in the audience (except possibly Villa, Blues and Wolves fans) who could empathise with the sentiments.
Jan Roberts showed that talent is definitely a family affair. In the soulful ‘Boy on the Stage’ Jan showed us a voice rather reminiscent of the late great Kirsty MacColl. With ‘Hexapussy’ her comic side was on show. This quirky and catchy children’s tale came out of another Songwriters competition where the members had to write a song based on a story in the news. Her final song was ‘Is this what you call love?’ about the death of a love affair. Accompanied by husband Neil on keyboard, Jan progressed smoothly from the soulful to the childlike then to the wistful.
Mark Winfield gave us a self-accompanied, strong vocal performance. ‘Sunshine you’ was a catchy, upbeat song followed by ‘Song for Someone’ which showed his more wistful side. Again, a Collaboration song was aired. ‘Unrequited’, with lyrics by Brian Crofton, was the worthy winner from the Songwriters competition. Mark’s voice seems perfect for songs of heartache.
The Dust Bowl Survivors started the second half. Peter Glyde is a professional singer/songwriter. ( The Ashby Songwriters came about from a suggestion by Peter.) He was accompanied by Paul Topliss on mouth organ. With ‘Remittance Man’ we learned the tale of the wastrel son of a wealthy family who made it good in the end. And with ‘Guardian Angel’ we heard about finding friendship, losing it yet still liking them enough to send them a guardian angel. The song was enjoyed by all who heard it – except by those who live in Swad! Peter’s strong guitar work was memorable.
Dawn Jacques played solo next. With a little encouragement from younger family members in the audience, she gave us ‘I started to remember’ accompanied by Rachel Edgecombe on cello. The subtle blend of the two instruments underlined the soulful love song. The theme of her other song, ‘Box of Love’, about a Mothers Day gift from her children, would echo with all mothers present at the concert.
The evening’s compere, Mike Underhill , took to the stage in his own right as the front man of The ShabBs. The band consists of Chris on bass, Ade on drums, Neil on keyboard, Rob on lead guitar, Pam and Jan on backing vocals and percussion. Mike also played on guitar on the two songs ‘I just can’t help being a man’ about the comic benefits of being a bloke and ‘I don’t want to be heavy’ whose rocky feel was enhanced by Neil on the mouth organ. Mike stood down to let Pam have the microphone. Her first number was the rocking ‘The Tunnel’ then, with a change of tempo, she brought us ‘Precious Gift’ comparing a breakdown of a relationship as having a thick curtain between you so your words are not heard.
Rob Nash then took centre stage with his reggae-influenced ‘Movin' On’ and ‘Overload’, another rollicking rocking number, which was semi-autobiographical.
The youngest member of the ShabBs, Chris Taylor, gave us ‘What would your mother say?’ – a new wave influenced mother’s lament before exchanging his guitar for a mandolin and soft rock for ‘Lost in America’ about a recent trip there and how speaking English became more of a hindrance than a help, with its memorable last line “I’m from Ashby de la Zouch, No it’s not in Bloody France.”
