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Sam Sweeney's Fiddle- Made In The Great War

Venue: The Met
Town: Bury
Date: 27/9/14
Website: http://www.samsweeneymusic.com/

Anyone who's remotely interested in folk music can't fail to have noticed the excitement which has revolved around the Bellowhead/Remnant King/Hurricane Party/Leveret…etc, musician Sam Sweeney and the fiddle he bought six years ago in Oxford. The culmination of a period of research into the history of the fiddle and its former owner, Richard Howard is the 'Made In The Great War' show which finds itself presented in a most timely fashion as we approach the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War.

What underpins the most compelling folk music is an absorbing and engaging story and with the tale of Sam's fiddle, it comes in droves and ranging from light merriment to the most poignant. But before storyteller Hugh Lupton could get his teeth into the main event, a short opening set acted as an aperitif and introduction to the players; alongside a couple of stories from Hugh, and duets with 'Concertina Rob' (Sam's favourite musician and regular oppo Rob Harbon) the striking 'Home Lad Home' sung by Paul Sartin from his Belshazzar's Feast 'Find The Lady' album was a taste of things to come. It's mournful tones from Flanders were a perfect accompaniment for the show to come; lumps were beginning to rise and wobble in throats even before the interval.

Anyone who'd taken Sam's pre-tour advice and not listened to the album of the show will have been fully rewarded. 'Made In The Great War' is a show which really has to be seen. The second half was basically the album but with an impressive visual aspect in the use of visuals, documentary film, subtle and effective lighting playing out the life of Richard Howard. With Sam and Rob kitted out in collarless shirts, tweeds and braces while Paul added a flat cap to his outfit, and the three showing their acting prowess amidst the props and during the songs, it added an extra dimension to the presentation.

There were some wonderful set pieces - the opening of the second half as the three players sat in shadow under a dim spot as Hugh began the story, and the various music hall parts played out in 'The Palace Of Varieties'. And of course there was the 'Epilogue' piece played against video footage of Sam visiting Richard Howard's war grave and playing the instrument which was perhaps the most moving moment with Hugh Lupton delivering the 'My back is bare, my belly thin…' speech which bookending the whole performance.

All told, a wonderful story literally brought to life by the masterful storytelling of Hugh Lupton. Not only responsible for writing the story and the ballad lyrics of the album, he carried the show with his compelling narrative and maybe even diverted the spotlight for a short moment to the other star of the show - Sam's fiddle - hung in a frame and underlit to cast a long shadow up over the backdrop. Just another great tale to add to the many from the Great War

Words & Pictures:Mike Ainscoe