Reviews

Artist: Soiree
Venue: St Peter's Church
Town: Staines
Date: 20th February 2010
Website: http://www.soireemusic.co.uk

Mortified that I haven't managed to catch Soiree earlier. Have seen Sue Graves several times before playing floor spots on various folk nights and have even seen Sue and Steve Poole performing together, but this was the first time that I had managed to see Sue, Steve and Hector Gilchrist.

Finally managed to see them though in an amazing venue - St Peter's Church in Staines. With such perfect acoustics, it is a wonder that more Churches don't put on musical events like this. In addition to the fantastic acoustics, another advantage of a Church is that the audience are totally respectful to the musicians, with no idle chatter throughout the performance. One slight disadvantage though is the seats. Not quite as comfortable as in some theatres and pubs, though I have to say I have been in a few theatres where the seating has been particularly incommodious.

The gig was a charity event to raise funds for Daybreak Respite Care and for Staines Parish Churches. Daybreak provides specialist care and support to people in the local community suffering from long-term illnesses, chronic conditions, disabilities and mental health problems, providing respite, support and advice for carers and assistance with rehabilitation following hospital care. For more details see: http://www.stainesparish.org/Day_Break.html

The evening kicked off with a couple of songs from Jon Bental, who also played another song at the start of the second half, and who also organised the raffle, held during the interval.

Soiree were charming, and seemed to know everybody in the audience by name, even though the church was full. They are a brilliant group to see live as they encompass so much variety. All three of them sing and all play guitars, but for each song they vary the format, sometimes even playing as a duo, (permed from any combination of the three of them), sometimes with Hector's voice taking the lead, sometimes Sue, and occasionally with Steve leading the vocals. In addition, they draw on a very wide field of sources for their material, (Eagles, Jeff Beck, Procul Harum, Dylan, Joan Baez, Hoagy Carmichael, Kirsty MacColl, Joni Mitchell, Mamas and Papas, etc). The variation ensures that there is no chance of being lulled into a state of boredom.

Love the way this group don't take themselves too seriously. During "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis", Hector wore an over-the-top Elvis wig, with his main contribution to the song comprising a series of Elvis-like grunts. During their version of the Mamas and Papas, "Dream a Little Dream Of Me", they were joined by two guest 'instrumentalists', Sarah and Pat (sorry didn't catch their surnames), who accompanied them on Kazoos. All in all, a jolly good fun band.

They made best use of the acoustics, particularly in the a capella duet of "Amazing Grace" sung by Hector and Sue. Favourite songs, for me, though, were "Diamonds and Rust" (love Steve's guitar playing on this one, and Sue's voice is every bit as beautiful as Joan Baez's) and their cover of Procul Harem's "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", which apparently was the first time that they had performed this.

The vicar, Reverent Rod Cosh, announced that the evening was such a success that he was hoping to repeat the event. Any budding musicians looking for an ideal venue?

Set list was:
Peaceful, Easy Feeling
Winter Song
Carrick a Rede
You'll Never Be The Sun
(Thinking about) Mud Slide Slim
Carrey
Skylark
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Save the Last Dance For Me
On We Sail
Amazing Grace
Another You
The Nearness of You
Diamonds and Rust
There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis
Dream a Little Dream Of Me
Lock Keeper
Forever Young
Joy
Medley: Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good/ Oh Boy/ High-Ho Silver Lining

Pete Bradley

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