Reviews
Artist:Boo Hewerdine
Venue:Bournemouth Folk Club
Town:Bournemouth
Date:23/11/08
Website:http://www.bournemouthfolkclub.com/
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Boo Hewerdine perform solo, actually thinking about it, this is the first time I’ve seen Boo perform solo. I’m much more used to seeing Boo on a festival or theatre stage with other musicians, either supporting them or vica versa.
Bournemouth Folk Club is by far the most intimate venue I’ve seen him perform in and it seems to suit. Unusually for Bournemouth, Boo is playing a split set and there’s only one warm up act, Bob Burke, rather than a small cluster of floor singers. Bob is joined on stage by Emma, who would also be up on stage during Boo’s second run.
The advantage of booking Mr Hewerdine is that you’re really booking three singer/songwriters for the price of one. (Hope Boo doesn’t realise this and start charging accordingly.) Boo writes great observational songs for himself and other performers, of both genders as well as for bands, most notably his former band the bible, but his songs crop up all over the place including ads for sanitary towels. You also get a bit of a raconteur thrown in for three, not bad value at all.
Like many talented singer/songwriters, Boo does a good line in self depreciation, whilst less talented, less modest singers seem to push their own agenda more and maybe get more recognised for it. The jury is still out on that one, but sometimes I do wonder if both type of artists believe their own publicity and in the case of the former allow it to affect their confidence?
Certainly the start of Boo’s first set was tentative, but as soon as he realised that he had an appreciative audience that wasn’t going to savage him, he seemed to relax and become more free flowing.
He actually engages with his audience on a very personal level, at times giving the idea of the set being in the round with a couple of sing-a-long choruses sprinkled through out the set.
Boo has regularly worked with other musicians and I guess some of his better known songs are known through the likes of Eddi Reader and Clive Gregson. In some respects I like it when that happens because it means you view the writers interpretation of their own song informed by how it has been picked up elsewhere and what it’s been through.
In it’s construction, this was simple, just Boo and his guitar, well apart from a brief visit from Emma for the start of a second set, that unfortunately Emma couldn’t really hear. It was a nice gesture that never quite panned out, which is a shame as judging from her first half appearance she has a good voice.
It was the only glitch it what was otherwise a really good night, although the image of Boo Hewerdine wandering about in his underpants really is quite disturbing. Don’t ask, suffice to say this didn’t actually happen on the night, but the image lingers dangerously.
My all time favourite Hewerdine song is “Bell Book & Candle” for me it’s his “Hallelujah”, whilst I’ve heard it performed by and with other artists, it never quite sounds as good as it does in the hands of it’s originator.
Boo Hewerdine understands the live environment, the variation in pace, the intimate numbers, the louder, almost band like pieces. He helps you understand the journey songs make as well as people, how a song written about his son ends up promoting feminine hygiene products, much to the embarrassment of aforementioned son
Boo is a natural chameleon, adapting to the environment he’s put in. I’ve never failed to be entertained by Hewerdine and tonight is no exception.