The Art of Somerset

Taunton The County Town of Somerset a busy regional shopping town, with a good range of shops in the centre, and out-of-town shopping complex which also has cinemas and 10 pin bowling. There is a horse racing course just south west on the B3170.
In 1497 Perkin Warbeck seized the town and said he was King Richard IV, the town was also involved in the Civil War and Monmouth's rebellion.
The town has some old pubs, and a few old streets such as Hammet Street with its 18th century houses, near the church.
There are excellent places to visit. Wonderful gardens, one comes to mind is Hestercombe.
A 50 acres of Grade I listed gardens cover over three centuries of garden history.
The gardens comprise 20th century formal gardens and a Georgian pleasure ground.
The formal gardens, completed in 1906, were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted
by Gertrude Jeykll. Hestercombe is a classic example of the work of the famous partnership and have been carefully restored by Somerset County Council.
There are terraces and iris-fringed pools.
A pergola is covered with clematis, honeysuckle and roses.
Lutyens' orangery and circular garden, with a round pond in the middle, are particularly stunning.
His eye for detail ensures that every flight of steps and seat fits perfectly into the scheme.

.

The Art world is well represented. Many fine local artist are scattered around the Taunton Deane area.

I already have a couple of pictures from Amy Howlett. And there are plenty of open houses and exhibitions to view a number of excellent artist.
Theatre and Music: We have a few venues around the area. The Brewhouse. Their full and varied live programme caters for all ages and includes a wide range of touring music, drama, children's theatre, dance, opera, ballet and comedy, culminating in the spectacular annual family Christmas show. They also operate an extensive education and outreach programme of youth and community activity which provides people with the opportunity for creative expression and cultural development.

Another Venue is the Tacci Morris Arts Centre in partnership with Somerset County Council and HeathfieldCommunity School, recently completed this 250 seat Theatre

with Dance, Drama and Music Studios, to form a Centre for Performing Arts.
Unfortunately this area does not seem to attract big established name,

but that us something that I aiming to change.

Sport also figures down here in deepest Somerset. No not Football "Cricket"

Somerset County Cricket Club They always seems to flatter to deceive. (how to turn victory in to a glorious defeat)
However they did win the Twenty20 Cup this year. And with the renewed excitement generated from the Ashes. Crowds flock in to see the Somerset Sabres.
So you see quite a lot to see and do around this area, and the M5 gives good access north and south, the A358 will take to The West Somerset railway at Bishops Lydeard

and on up to Exmoor.

Eleanor McEvoy - Her songs and Music

I've been a Fan of Eleanor since 1994 when I stumbled across the acoustic tent at Glastonbury Festival.
And a member of Eleanor's Fan Club for the last 4 years finding out about gigs and reading other people's reviews sometimes replying. I have been to a few over the last few years, so when the news was posted that she was playing in her home town of Dublin with the RTE Concert Orchestra during my annual leave, I just had to go. A cheap return on RyanAir, a guest-house booked, and concert ticket purchased, sorted.
I then Contacted the followers @ eleanormcevoy.org to see if anybody was going and we arranged to meet up in the Sinnotts Bar off Stephens Green prior to the concert. It was there I met up with Brian & Pauline Greene check out Brian's Blog & Brian's Pod Radio site also Graham & Jennifer Ashmore Graham's Blog and Graham's Shed
Well worth a browse.

Usual pleasantries and a few pints of the Black stuff, then on to the National Concert Hall. Brian called out to one guy en route who I found out was David Brophey our conductor for the evening running through Stephens Green with half an hour before the show. We also met up with Brian Connor who played keyboards with Eleanor on "Yola".
Also two more Followers who put my trip from Taunton in the shade. Anna & Inga came all the way from Boston

We all found our seats in different areas of the auditorium. I was sitting side on, in the gallery.
The orchestra took their places, and the lights dimmed.
The concert began.

1: Overture: Only a Woman's Heart
Eleanor's best known song performed with gusto by the Orchestra. Eleanor had asked them to go for it when they played this instrumental version of the song, a perfect start.

2: You'll Here Better Songs (than this)
Eleanor sang the first line off stage and the appeared stage left Great title, Beautifully sung

3: I'll Be Willing
Taken from the album Early Hours stunningly arranged

4: Not Quite Love
A simple fast paced number David Brophey our conductor had arranged for her. Spot on.

5: Whisper a Prayer to the Moon
From the album What's Following Me.
Here we were able to hear the vocal backing of
Liam Bradley sitting stage left. I've always enjoyed this number, and tonight didn't disappoint.

6: Did You Tell Him
Straight in to this number a favourite by all
from the album Snapshots getting the full orchestral treatment.

7: Something So Wonderful
A powerful song done as a duet with Liam Bradley
and dedicated to Tom Hyland of the Free East Timor Campaign.

8: Memphis Tennessee
Chuck Berry's song taken from the album Early Hours
Eleanor does the vocals justice by slowing it down a notch

9: Territory of Poets
One of my personal favourites, given the full treatment on the Brass and Percussion The Orchestra went off section by section leaving the string section to close the number

Interval
The smoke and pee break and a quick word to one of the Ushers and I was able to reposition myself in the stalls

1: Famine 1848
I think this was the first time I've heard this number.
Taken from a limited edition of What's Following Me.
Beautifully arranged

2: The Rain Falls
Eleanor sang a a furious pace, wonderfully arranged by
David Brophy and the Tubular bells at the end of the number segued nicely
in to.....

3: Anach Cuain
An old Gaelic song taken from Early Hours
about a ship wreck off the west coast of Ireland

4: Please Heart Your Killing Me
Co written with American county legend Rodney Crowell from the Snapshots album
Full treatment given here the Brass section in full glory

5: Driving Home to Butlers
Eleanor was driving home from the Butlers pub in
Co. Wexford, when she came up with this slow air.
Even the string section applauded at the end of this number.

6: Easy In Love
A Quirky number from the album Yola.
About couples in love Bogey n' Bacall, Scarlet and Red.

7: Isn't It A Little Late
In recent times Eleanor has just used her guitar to knock out the beat So to hear it given full Percussion treatment
was in deed a real treat.

8: Easy To Lose Hope
The last number. It's finishing so soon
This is Eleanors tribute to Veronica Guerin.
Powerful and simply wonderful

Encore
Only a Woman's Heart
The one that'll pay the pension.

There should of been more.
Although there were two curtain calls, it was over

One truly magical evening
and one I won't forget in a hurry

We all met up afterwards in the foyer. All eulogizing the evening. Eleanor came out to be congratulated by many.
A team photo was arranged,
Brian, Graham, Anna & Inga, myself along with the
star of the night
The evening was at an end the others disapeared
and then it was off to Hourigan's pub.
for the after show party.

But that another tale......