| Subject: |
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Winding Stair and John Renbourn |
| Name: |
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colin devine |
| Date Posted: |
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Dec 20, 07 - 1:56 PM |
| Email: |
|
devinereports@yahoo.co.uk |
| Date of Gig: |
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Monday December 10 2007 |
| Message: |
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Expectations were high, and anticipation was building on the evening of the first Belfast appearance of John Renbourn for many years.
We knew we were in for a treat , but what of the support act?
The four musicians calling themselves the Winding Stair took the Stage on Monday Night past, December 10.
Would expectations of a full-on folk outfit be fulfulled, or were we going to be "suitably entertained" before the musicians musician, Mr Renbourn, appeared?
As it was, The Winding Stair were much more than just a second rate support , there to "warm up the crowd" .
The overwhelming power of the two female voices was just unreal.
While one of the two voices concentrated solely on her singing, the other interspersed her vocals with soulful violin playing.
Winding Stair consists of one acoustic guitar, one cello and one violin, in addition to the two singing voices.
The guitar player could easily have performed a solo gig, such was the level of his skills.
AS a collective, however, no single instrument came across more powerfully than any other.
In tandem with the two powerful voices and the other two instruments, the guitar playing became a crucial part of a group sound which left us wanting more.
The Winding Stair- truly original sound and a vocal energy which was a joy to hear!
These guys would be right at home as part of next year's "Open House" bash!
Nonchalantly wandering onstage before clutching his instrument, I couldn't help but wonder was this really the folk music giant who burst on the scene in the 60's with fellow musician, Bert Jansch, collectively known as Pentangle, such was his level of relaxation and an overwhelming vibe from him of being right at home in the Rott?
And this was before he even played a single note!
He launched into a fast-paced instrumental piece which reminded us that yes, indeed, not only was this the great John Renbourn on stage, but he was as professional and brilliant as anything we could possibly have imagined or anticipated.
At the end of the piece , amid great whooops of approval from a stunned crowd, he told us that was our lot, and that he wouldn't be playing any more cheerful tunes.
What followed was a performance of sheer musical delight in an atmosphere of genuine awe and admiration from those present.
AS anyone who is familiar with the guitar playing of one of folk music's finest ever musicians will tell you, talk of Renbourn's retirement only serves to fill one with a sense of dread and incredulity, as his performance at the Rott that evening was one of top-class guitar playing , interspersed with vocal adventures of hard times and much misery.
Not that there was anything miserable about this performance!
A truly oustanding gig which more than matched up to expectations.
Retirement-- pahhhh-- Don't believe a word of it!!!!
COLIN DEVINE
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