Acoustic Night

There was a tangible air of anticipation in the room. It was another humid evening on the street and I was wondering if we were going to get another deluge like two weeks ago but it was a flood of talent that swept through the door. So much that some top drawer performers sat back and let new faces take the stage as part of this special night to acknowledge EMMA HARPER and her contribution to Bristol’s burgeoning Open Mic scene these last two years.

First up was ANDY with Streets of London and Perfect Day – two well known numbers delivered with passion as if they were were his own.

Next we have two firm favourites of the last year who travel over regularly from Bath. ANNA FREEMAN and AGATHA give us a brilliant set of poems about “the Illusion of fear” and the “strange and almost insane ponderings of the human mind”

AGATHA

The next pairing is one of those Acoustic Night meetings that ‘just happens’.
JOHN T and CAROLINE(v) overcome some D.I.box problems successfully and give us ‘Running to be on the run’ and ‘Story of Love’. A pleasant return to songs of innocence and truth.

JOHN T and CAROLINE

SIMON LEAKE takes us on the Heathrow Express and then ‘Built in Stone’ – poignant ponderings prompted by travel.

MIKE THE FOUR Ms(v) brings the most far-reaching considerations on the topics of ‘well advanced aged relationships’ and the two little boys of Rolf Harris fame who are now grown up and gay, quite memorable…

MIKE the 4 Ms

Another welcome return in the form of MIKE SCOTT. Who else could/would link the Royal Family with the problem of a buoyant turd, as well as a song about nostalgia where things were worse (not better). A genius of humour in song!

MIKE SCOTT

SIMON THE MAGICIAN (aka MAGIC SIMON) forsook his box of tricks tonight and gave us two cheeky limericks about nude participants and farmers wives milking cows. Magic or Poetry? You decide.

MAGIC SIMON

JAMES REVELL(v) began with ‘Green Eyes’ not a bad idea, when feeling down, to go and talk to a barmaid and come up with a song. Then ‘Weather Mill’ a lovely vocal rendition of a Dylan song.

JAMES REVELL

Break

Our Special Guest EMMA HARPER opens with ‘This Depravity’ a song about this town which somewhat rattled her mate Bex’s cage! Following on from this a PJ Harvey cover only, Emma gives the heart that songs need when she sings. This magic translates to her poems too. Then two more songs from one with a voice so lusty and clear, even engaging the audience on a typical irish folk song. Thank you Emma Harper!!!

EMMA HARPER

Birthday Girl POLLY MOYER selects ‘A Reader Writes’ pt2 dedicated to her mother “who knows best” and Polly, you know how to say it’s true. On her second poem ‘Breathe In’ Polly goes walkabout and her words are lost to the audience and denied a recording. Our reviewer deems it a gem.

POLLY MOYER

Well… Four virgins and an old hand fill stage under the name of BOXCAR ALDOUS HUXLEY. This band knows how to transport it’s listeners back to the mid 19^th century on a musical transport system comprising of Harmonium, Euphonium, Trombone, Clarinet, Banjo, Drums and Vocals. Andi likens it to Blue-grass Klezmer in Heckmondwike town square… which means she really liked it.

 

BOXCAR ALDOUS HUXLEY

BYRON VINCENT… This guy can’t help but let out humour in between sentences and short phrases of sense and sensibility, quaint yet quantifiable meaning and meanderings even when he’s being self-effacing. Love, Loris and Bob Holness…wonderful!

BYRON VINCENT

PHIL BABER and KEIRA(v) got a bit of a raw deal on the mics. Firstly on Phil’s sensuous song ‘Seeds’ his guitar mic suffered from droop and then Andi embarrassed Keira by disappearing to the loo without turning her mic up! Sorry hon! Andi
But two real songs that make you feel like you’re taking part in a wild wild western!

PHIL BABER and KEIRA

GINA BRIGANTI Shows us how to recite a poem and mix in a couple of songs, or how to sing a song and mix in a couple of poems? ‘Avebury’ tells of the stone circle in Wiltshire, and ‘Lies of Love Remains’ speaks quite easily for itself and all with an infectious rhythm and cues for instrumental additions plus that soulful jazzy voice.

GINA BRIGANTI

Stepping up to the mic JACK BIRD threw back his hair and opened his set with ‘My Girl’ a haunting lament befitting spurned love and was joined by Emma in an emotive duet. His second song was reminiscent of a lively Johnny Cash with very quick and interesting guitar work. Come back soon Jack.

JACK BIRD

JESS(v) gave us ‘The Power of a Smile’ a sweet innocent poem written from new experiences at University by someone with a singing voice that needs to be heard.

JESS

Our final performer ANGLUSKI had hung in there almost all night and manfully stepped up to sing two engaging folk songs from an Irish perspective.

ANDI closed the night with ‘Five Words’ one of her own observations on life in her inimitable style.

Thanks to Everton for the blog. Additions by Andi. Thanks to Kimberley for taking the fotos.

ACOUSTIC NIGHT STATS

AUDIENCE 60+
PERFORMERS 25
VIRGINS 9