Floral Pavilion, New Brighton – 21/05/19
I really didn’t know what to expect arriving at the Floral Pavilion to see Show of Hands. The duo were touring this time with Richard Shindell and we were promised a night of Anglo/American music. A true celebration of Americana.
Phil Beer enters the stage to an applause from the audience and introduces guest, Richard Shindell. He begins with a lovely song ‘Deer on the Parkway’, which sets the relaxed tone of the evening. He then goes on to explain to the audience he is from New York State and he has discovered whilst touring with Show of Hands that he has ‘arrived at a time of great unrest for us here in the UK. There is a debate going on that is dividing the nation… Do you put the cream or jam on a scone first!’ This got a huge laugh and was referred to throughout the show. Richard though, was not going to reveal the answer until the end of the show, just in case he alienated half of the audience!
This sense of humour continued throughout the set, Richard telling witty little anecdotes between his songs. I have to mention his song ‘Stray Cow Blues’. This was a fun blues number, from the point of view of a cow that had been left in a field over night, on its own. ‘Are you happy Now’ was another great song, the ultimate Halloween break up song.
I thought it was really nice that both Phil Beer and Steve Knightley joined Richard in the first set. Steve joined him for a haunting rendition of ‘You Stay here’, the harmonies were incredible. Both voices just gelled and the result was just magnificent. Phil came along for the final song of the first set, ‘Fennario’, a gorgeous song, willing the sun not to come up, as when it does, Peggyo’s true love will have to go off to war. The addition of Phil’s violin was truly spine tingling. What a song.
That brought the first half to a close and then after a good half hour’s interval, the time was used to re tune the vast array of impressive instruments present on the stage, the second half began. The first song ‘Crow on the Cradle’ just drew the audience in, it was awe inspiring. The mix of Phil’s stunning vocals and fiddle playing combined with Steve’s excellent musical accompaniment and the vocal harmonies, well, the vocal harmonies were to die for.
The set continued and between each song came funny little stories told by Steve, he really was a great host. In fact, he had a story for everything. Both Steve and Phil’s musicianship was incredible. The ease at which they switched between instruments was simply amazing. It was really refreshing to see them both tuning their own instruments as well throughout the show, instead of handing them to a guitar tech. These are true musicians.
On a side note, when I interviewed Steve and Phil prior to the show, Steve was working on a guitar that was suffering with a rattle and he was filing down the bridge. You just don’t see artists of their calibre doing hands on stuff like that anymore. So that was brilliant. They really are ‘proper’ musicians, who know their instruments inside out.
‘Dreckly’ was a real treat. Described by Steve as ‘Cornish Reggae’, the song told the story of a couple yearning for the heights of city life. The audience were encouraged to sing along with a call and response chorus, which of course we all did. A hugely enjoyable rendition.
Another beautiful song was their take on ‘The Setting’. They combined two songs, Steve sang and played the Ralph McTell song ‘The Setting’ and within the song, Phil sang ‘The Girl from Dungloe, an old Irish folk song. These two songs combined perfectly and vocally Phil and Steve were in perfect harmony, syncopating themselves vocally, singing in between each other’s vocal lines. It was very well done.
Towards the end of the set, they invited Richard back onstage and played the last half hour or so as a trio, playing a mixture of Richards songs and their own. The witty chat continued between songs, Steve referencing things that absolutely perplexed Richard. Adverse camber springs to mind! They played a beautiful rendition of ‘Reunion Hill’, and it was lovely seeing three superb musicians playing together on the same stage, each giving the other musical space to work in and Steve and Phil both graciously giving Richard the stage.
The set was drawing to a close; ‘Cousin Jack’ was a great moment, with the entire audience singing along with the chorus. Again, and I can’t say this enough, Phil and Steve both harmonise so well. It really is magical listening to them. ‘The Next Best Western’ finished the show, a song written by Richard Shindell. This, yet again shows how gracious Steve and Phil are as performers, not even closing the show with one of their own songs. It was a great song and again another singalong moment.
What a great night of entertainment. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was fantastic watching the musical craft play out before me that is Phil Beer and Steve Knightley’s incredible skill. Swapping and changing instruments seamlessly and Steve entertaining the audience with his witty tales and as for which way around Richard eats his scone, jam or cream first, well, you’ll just have to catch them at one of the remaining dates and find out for yourself!
Listen to Danny’s interview here
