St. Bartholomew’s Church, Shapwick, Blandford, Dorset
Music is inspired by ambience, atmosphere, experiences and surroundings. Tonight all of those come into play as we gather in a 13th Century church on the banks of the River Stour to witness a one-of-a-kind gig. It’s very cold and for some reason, the heating in the Church is switched off, however beforehand we were warned it would be chilly inside and told to wrap up in our warmest clothes. Tonight’s hosts are “Hawkeye Hoolihan and his Rustic Wonky” crew, who have put several of these types of events on before. The award-winning Steve Smith from RMV is our sound man tonight and is as enthusiastic as ever to provide his top-notch service for the evening’s acts.
The evening is all about the launch of a very special album “While The Iron is Cold and The Heart is Sore” by a band called “Burg and The Vagabond Choir”. These can only be described as a local supergroup featuring a host of talented musicians, led by former Channel Islands resident Steve Lynch aka ‘Burg’. Steve settled in Bournemouth about 10 years ago and has become an important part of the local scene with various projects on the go, including his popular Garage band “The Electric Shakes”. Looking at the band’s all-black Cowboy-style attire, it’s like Steve is Yul Bryner in the Magnificent 7 gathering hired hands for this particular job! The album was recorded last year at Handmade Studios in Bournemouth with the help the very dedicated Dan Evans at the helm. His patience and experience helped bring Steve’s vision of the record together. The Vagabond Choir feature Jason Bowles – Double Bass, Olly Hopper Pay – Cello, Wez Coombes – Keys, Cornet, Zither, Romeo Kennedy – Mandolin, Danny Peacock – Banjo and Aaron Jamie (AJ) Harmonica.
The event kicks off with one of the brightest shining stars to come out of Dorset in recent years “Millie Watson”, who undoubtedly is dressed for the occasion in a full-length fur coat with her feather-trimmed wide-brimmed hat. The acoustics in this place are just perfect to show off what fine vocal cords she has. Kicking off with “Seabirds” her effortless performance is seemingly quite simple with a six-string acoustic guitar and a couple of effect pedals. Her sound has a real depth to it and she sings in a really passionate way in these surrounding it’s hard not to get emotional by her hard-hitting lyrics on tracks like “Sara Shines” and “Wasted”. As we are out in the countryside things take a decidedly Folk/Country to turn with a mash-up of “Penny’s Farm” and “I’ll Fly Away” with Millie showing how to play the guitar like it was a banjo. It may be cold in here, however, Millie has warmed up the congregation with a fine set that clearly impresses all of tonight’s assembled.
After a short changeover, Hawkeye steps up to the stage to introduce Burg, by the amount of pacing he has done beforehand he is clearly a little nervous. He has good reason to be as there has been a lot put in to organise the event and a lot is riding on how the record sounds life. He arrives onstage with his acoustic guitar and is joined to start with by Olly Hopper Pay on cello for the opening number “Curse Of The Weeping Woman”, an obvious place to start as it’s the first track on the album. The dark intimacy of this place with the musicians performing on the altar in front of the stained glass windows bathed in obscuring red light, really adds to the atmosphere – I personally felt goosebumps as the first lyrics were sung. There is a distinct Dark Americana vein running through the tracks with an almost Gothic feel, along with various other unexpected twists and turns. Ollie’s haunting Cello on this track, along with Steve’s wonderfully fluent vocal and delicate guitar work really give you an idea of how things are going to progress. The duo are then joined by Jason Bowles on double bass which provides some further momentum.
“Catch Your Tears” shows Steve’s quality control at is best, as after the first run he insists on repeating it as his guitar level was not quite right. “Clock Strikes” fires bullets of recognition right into your brain, it’s strikingly familiar and equally infectious. The remainder of the band move from the shadows joining the rest on stage and the momentum continues with banjo, mandolin, cornet, keys and harmonica; all joining the mix as well as additional harmonies. “Read Your Bones”, “God Damn That Fire’s Burning” and “Written in Gold” are my favourite tracks from the album. The live renditions certainly don’t disappoint and collectively the seven guys all show their worth, joining together to create something really special. Towards the end of the final song “The Vagabond March” the guys all get up, singing and marching out of the church just like a funeral procession. We are all encouraged to follow suit and the whole congregation files into the eerie atmosphere of the churchyard, with it looking like the setting of a Hammer Horror film. With mist floating around and some minimal temporary lighting the band continue the song with Steve lightly strumming his guitar and all the guys humming out the tune until its conclusion. What a fantastic way to finish and one I’m sure anyone here will never forget.
Set List
Burg and The Vagabond Choir
Curse Of The Weeping Woman
You Never Did
Catch Your Tears
Catch Your Tears #2
Clock Strikes
Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired
Read Your Bones
God Damn That Fire’s Burning
Down
Written in Gold
The Vagabond March
Millie Watson
Seabirds
Sara Shines
Sweetly On My Own
Will Ye Go Lassie Go
Chasing Crows
Penny’s Farm/ I’ll Fly Away
Wasted
Hold On
Videos
Links
https://www.facebook.com/burgandthevagabondchoir
https://burgandthevagabondchoir.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/MissMillieWatson
Words & Media by David Chinery (Chinners)
