Ms. McEvoy came to Taunton

After years of badgering her, as regular readers will know, I've always had to travel to see this talented lass. Eleanor McEvoy finally played in my home town on 17 May, ably supported by Amy Newton. They were playing at the Brewhouse Theatre as part of the Spring Folk series.

It was very pleasing to see the theatre almost full (capacity 350) Which suprised me. The Brewhouse doesn't seem to do very much in the way of advertising – ‘though I had helped by dragging 23 friends and family along - some of them kicking and screaming! We all met up outside on a lovely spring evening, then made our way in to the auditorium for a 7:45 start.

Amy Newton, looking like a North Devon surfer girl, was on first. A waif of a girl with a soft, but gutsy voice and crisp guitar playing, she performed songs from her two Albums 'Lost for words' and 'Which Hand', in a half hour set. Wonderful jaunty songs with great titles - especially 'Dan', her closing number, which created much merriment as we had a 'Dan' in our party.

'Lost for Words' - she wasn't! 'Didn't like you anyway' - We did!

Those of you lucky enough to have Glastonbury tickets, check'er out – Enjoy.

By way of a change now, having reviewed Eleanor on several occasions, always with indulgent praise, I thought it only right to hand the review over to someone who hadn't seen/heard of her before ...

So over to you Pete ...

Walking in from stage right to somewhat muted applause (perhaps, like me, some of us thought she was a roadie! - sorry), she came to the mike saying "Hi, I'm Eleanor McEvoy. Please give me a warm welcome!" - we did of course.

Surrounded by a circle of instruments, she strapped on a bass guitar and with no introductions launched straight into the set with 3 numbers - one being Nick Lowe's 'Failed Christians'. It's somewhat unusual to see the Bass alone used as vocal accompaniment,
but it worked extremely well.
To close a short first set, prior to the interval, six stringed electric guitar replaced the four string bass.
Consuming a couple of very quick beers and with Tim still 'avin a fag, the bell goes, signalling end of interval.

Returning to our seats, Eleanor soon re-enters and, continuing to demonstrate her versatility, plays the opening number on mandolin. Lovely refreshing sound - another one or two on this wonderful instrument wouldn't have been amiss.
Ms McEvoy next switched to acoustic guitar, an instrument she's obviously very comfortable with, as she manages one song using it as a percussion instrument! She played several numbers from her latest Album 'Out There' and included in this section was Frankie Miller's 'Darlin''. She made an observation about the said artist, but unfortunately it fell mostly on deaf ears -

I reck'n per'aps we're not quite up-with- the-times down 'ere in Zummerzet!
Two more songs I must mention are 'Non-Smoking Single Female’ and a cover of 'Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)' as done by the late-greats Marvin Gaye and Robert Palmer, a brilliant song on a topic close to my heart.

Eleanor has undoubted musical ability as a solo performer, although to me, several songs sounded like they were building up to the point where the rest of the band joins in! - I reckon that'd be great - just an idea!
Completing the tour round the circle of instruments, we then had some songs on fiddle - I loved her use of the bow like a drumstick on the strings for 'Wrong So Wrong'.

The evening was brought to a lively end with her jaunting up the auditorium steps, still playing the fiddle - an excellent conclusion to an enjoyable gig.

Pete Morley

That was a great review.

For another glowing tribute go to the Somerset County Gazette