Venue:
Frenchay Parish Hall
Date: 20/07/2018
I’m not a drummer, but last night I took two of my best friends to a gig, and they are both musicians. We went to the charming little hut that is Frenchay Parish Hall on the northern fringe of Bristol, where the local jumpers of Downend Folk club were hosting one of their coups of the year: Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage.
I’d heard of this pair some while back, but my consumption of English folk music has dropped away some in the last few years, overtaken by the tsunami of talent that seems to be emanating from America at present. I’d bought the first album, but not played it, and it was only when I saw their imminent arrival virtually on my doorstep that I spun it up to listen. What a revelation, they can both play and sing at a very accomplished level, and write gorgeous, intelligent, charming and thought-provoking songs in a variety of styles, making attendance at the gig pretty much mandatory for me.
So I dragged my musician pals along, neither of whom had heard the duo before. In support was a short, perfectly judged set from a young fellow of whom I suspect we will hear more, a chap by the name of Ben Morgan-Brown. Shades of Jansch, the almost obligatory influence, a little Michael Chapman twist here and there, but even more I sensed the fleeting presence of Ryley Walker. But after all, they were most distinctly his own songs, and all the better for it. Songs of innocence and experience, songs of self-awareness blooming. One to note.
The main act, Hannah and Ben, then proceeded to treat us to a pretty thorough run through of their newest album, “Awake”, with a smattering of older songs too. With no more than about a hundred souls in the functional room, it was pretty much sold out, the venue austere but intimate, the sound superbly balanced. As Hannah strummed the first chords of their penultimate number last night, I heard my buddy Martin take a little breath of anticipation. He’s married to a Canadian, and lived there for years before returning to these shores. He’s steeped in the singer-songwriters of old, and worships Joni. Was Hannah going to dare to sing “A Case Of You”? The hairs on the back of my neck told me she was too, and she did. Rapture. We spoke of little else on the walk home, it was so special. Ben’s smoky vocal accompaniment and glistening, beautiful guitar are the perfect foil for Hannah’s impeccable, precise, rounded and fully enunciated English yet universal singing.
A very special evening and both my buddies declared them ‘a great find’. Hannah & Ben are taking a break from touring for a few weeks, then start again across the land. There are gigs to come at venues from Cornwall to Humberside; I advise you to check them out.
The audience:
It is a folk club. Nice pint, by the way, as you might expect. Niall, you would love these guys.
It made me think..
How lucky we are to have artists of such talent and thoughfulness to help us to enjoy life, to breathe in the good things, love the ones we’re with and smile at the devil. Whose name is Reynardine.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Carolina says
Gosh, this is a coincidence. This morning leafing through this month Mojo Reviews, I came across them and not having heard of them I listened to a bit of the first track from Awake. I was instantly smitten and bought the album (and their first one as well). Looking forward to hearing it all – what a wonderful voice Hannah has. So am very glad to read your review, Vulpes. and how much you and your friends enjoyed the concert.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Serendipity! Go see them! Go see them, they are wonderful.
Leicester Bangs says
Great review.
Genuine question: why does he keep shaking his guitar?
Vulpes Vulpes says
It’s about the tone and the sustain. Everything these guys do is through the one microphone – you can see it in the clip above, and the same mic was on stage last night. Get someone to strike a single note on a finely made guitar, turn an ear towards them as they do so and ask them to emulate Ben’s movements – you’ll hear the effect. It’s easier to hear than to describe, but it does make a difference!
fentonsteve says
At risk of sounding like a nerd – no, that ship has long passed – in the clip above there are three mics. The spider’s web and two pencils (AKG C451 by the looks of it) pointing at the guitars.
Boringly,
Your microphone correspondent.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
There is no-one whom I admire more than Fenton, he is the special one. I will also add Mr Foxy – this is an absolute belter of a review!
Vulpes Vulpes says
Hannah and Ben got in touch and made this comment on the subject:
“Interestingly, the 3 mics (well spotted!) at Wath was an interesting anomaly… only the 2nd time in 2 years we’ve used anything other than one mic – there were a number of technical issues in the soundcheck for that festival so we had the extra pair as a backup!! “
fentonsteve says
Me: fascinating.
Rest of world: yawn.
retropath2 says
Envious indeed: I am hoping to catch them eventually. The new album is certainly one of my years faves. (But I’ve said that already…..
https://theafterword.co.uk/a-night-in-with-hannah-sanders-ben-savage-awake/)
Vulpes Vulpes says
Indeed ’twas your celebratory remarks that first put me on their trail! One tube view and I was hooked, but distracted, magpie fashion, by other gee-gaws that arrived before their disc. A swift booking of the concert, the pinning up of the ticket email on the pinboard of forthcoming joys, and they receded from my mind until it was time to ennervate companions for the gig. I doff my hat to your early sighting from the crow’s nest of good music, sir.
retropath2 says
It’s Bargey who should get your doff, as it was one he had been sent/sourced for review purposes and that he sent on.
Kid Dynamite says
Is this the first time Frenchay has been mentioned on the AW? I live in the neighbouring parish, and quite often go past the old hospital on a morning run.
Lovely review.
niallb says
Brilliant review and I shall certainly check them out – lovely of you to think of me. I am recovering from my epic weekend honouring my friend. A full report, and photos of Paolo Hewitt in a fabulous shirt, will follow.