It’s the Ely Maltings on a Tuesday night and being a ‘school night’ that means this very pleasant venue has unfortunately got the tumbleweed blowing through it, audience size wise. On a particularly autumnal and chilly night there was however, welcoming warmth from the stage.
First up was Southend’s very own Matthew Boulter a.k.a. ‘Whispering Pines’ and Simone Felice Group lap-steel and mandolin player. Looking really like he hails from anywhere other than Southend-on-Sea (
The Simone Felice Group is a three piece this time around with Simone, Matt and the multi talented, violinist, (with a voice to shake the building), Simi Stone.
With the venue being under capacity, there was always going to be a challenge to create an atmosphere but, it really just takes the first song for the audience to be hooked. In the knowledge that we now at a gig as intimate as if the group were playing down at the local hostelry, we settle in for the evening.
Simone, Simi & Matt put their all into the performance, songs came thick and fast during the 90 minute set with antidotes attached. New York Times, (If I ever get) Famous, Charade (with English translation), Shaky, .Scarecrow, Summer Rain and Radio Song were all there.
‘Dawn Brady’s Son’ kicks off the encore after being requested from the front row (a song Simone say’s that they have not played for a while,” thanks for asking for that”). Covers of Sandy Denny, The Boss, (
So a great show in lovely setting, just a pity many more people could not have enjoyed it. The band have a day off on the Norfolk coastline today before Norwich on Thursday and what should be a triumphant Union Chapel show in London to wind up the tour on Friday (21 Sept).
Pete
