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Michele Stodart

Venue: The Betsey Trotwood
Town: London
Date: 24th November
Website: www.michelestodart.com

Michele Stodart from The Magic Numbers came on my radio show in early November for a solo set, it was one of the most stunning live sessions I have seen and heard since I have been doing Bob's Folk Show, so when she told she was doing a three night residency at my second favourite pub in London (The Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon) I had to go and check it out.

She is doing the residency with her full band (when she came on my show she was just accompanied by the very talented Mr Matt Skipper) I was worried that Michele music may get a bit lost with a full band. How wrong can a man be!

I love cities and London is to me the greatest city on this planet. So I'm running late and had to jump in a black cab from Waterloo to The Betsyy Trotwood.

London in the winter in the back of a black cab is wonderful and as I pulled up outside The Betsey I saw the three other members of The Magic Numbers standing outside having a beer, I have met Romeo and Angela before so I didn't feel like a fool go up to them and saying hello, but they are so down to earth and friendly I was treated like a long lost friend. This is when I knew It's was going to be a great night!

After having some good food and a very nice pint of beer I went down to the basement room in The Betsey it was already packed and the vibe was good. I had a chat with a few folks about how great Michele was when she played on my show, which was great to hear so many people had listened to the show and the fact they recognized me freaked me out a bit! I even managed a quick chat with Michele who was unduly worried.

Michele walked on stage just with her trusty 1963 Gibson acoustic guitar and started playing and man she owns that stage, her songs get you right in your soul the sound just covered the room like a warm glow. After two solo songs some of the members of Michele's band joined her on stage during the whole gig folks kept coming and going! this was a fantastic way of doing a gig at one point there were strings playing next song there was full on brass on stage and then just Michele and two other with guitars. Some of the band even changed instruments half way through a song! The Band were so tight so great what more could I say?

I watched Michele's gig standing next her brother Romeo and we chatted in-between songs I asked him "as a big brother was he proud" the look on his face said it all but he said "very and really nervous"

So go and see Michele at The Betsey Trotwood and buy her album "Wide-Eyed Crossing" when it comes out next year, she is a rising solo star and very wonderful

There are still some dates to come at The Betsey Trootwood with the great Pete Greenwood is supporting her on the 1st and 8th December.

Bob Meyer