Flook I'm in Haven

Flook,
The Brewhouse,
Taunton
6 June

I arrived at the Brewhouse Theatre absolutely knackered after a 10 hour stint at work. Thirst things first, was to enjoy a pint (or two) in the evening sunshine. Sitting outside I noticed a lack of people here. This was more noticeable when I entered the Auditorium, less than half full.
Shame.

Though once inside I did meet fellow music followers
Steve and Charlie Knight.
We'd come to see a band I've heard much off, but this was the first time I'd seen FLOOK.

The lights dimmed at 7.50 and the band walked on to polite applause, a little bit of tuning, and an introduction
" Hi we're here to play some tunes cause that is what we do"
and it was straight in to the first set, all from their latest album "Haven" dispersed with humorous banter on how and why and how the numbers came about.
The Whistle blowing was to use a pun, mind blowing,
by the lead man Brian Finnegan.

Sarah Allen on Flute and Accordion ( not at the same time ) was her usual professional and joyous self. I'd seen her before working with Reg Meuross in the Short Stories Band. She was also a founder member of The Barely Works which she was reminded of; when she saw Steve's old moth eaten Barely Works T Shirt.

There was also an intro competition prior to one tune instigated by Guitarist Ed Boyd. Which after being told how an Essex crowd had done the previous night, it fell flat on Somerset ears.

The second Set, after an elongated break, one of the band still at the bar.
Was again mainly from "Haven" with a couple of other tunes thrown in. The audience did appear more awake in the second half, some even clapped along. Though I think we were all blown away with John Joe Kelly's Bodhran Drum solo.
Truly superb.

The second half flew by, and with an encore of Jigs, this enjoyable evening was at an end.

The Set

Wrong Foot Forward

Mouse Jigs

Souter Creek

Gone Fishing

Asturian Way

Road to Errogie

---------------------

Macedonian Oro ??

Padraig's

A Swedish Love Song

(didn't catch title)

The Tortoise and the Hare

(inc the Bodhran solo)

Pressed for Time

Encore

Ballybrolly Jigs

I would like to give a special mention to the Brewhouse, who over the last few months have treated us to some fine Folk music.
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, Last Nights Fun, Kathryn Tickell. And of course Flook.

The acoustics of this small theatre are excellent,

but a theatre half full doesn't help.

Put these bands in a marquee, add some ale and the atmosphere would be far better and get a younger, more enthusiastic crowd in.