Rock Regeneration

Mar27

Rose Maris / Al Smith / Lucy Kitchen

on March 27th, 2025 at 18:46

Lighthouse, Poole

The daffodils are out, its Mothering Sunday coming up and the clocks go forward at the end of the week too. All signs to show Spring is in full force and Summer is on the way, a reason to have excitement and anticipation for the months ahead. One part of the monthly calendar that many of us also look forward to is Hangover Hill’s Live & Unheard in the Sherling Studio Poole. There feels something a bit special about tonight, once again Matt and Mel have pulled out all the stops with a stella line-up.

Although a few bumps in the road with tonight’s final line-up, Jake Puntis was originally billed and due to illness couldn’t perform, Super-Sub Si Genaro was due to step in and was hit with a throat infection that not even a Vocalzone could cure. So at the very last minute, the well connected Lord Genaro sifted through his little black book, as Kyle Minogue and Will I Am had previous engagements he brought in The Tiddly Winks frontman Al Smith to take the slot. I just have a feeling that tonight is going to be particularly special and with a sizeable audience in attendance, it should be an amazing evening.

Before Al takes to the stage the classically trained Lucy Kitchen takes to the stage, a singer/songwriter from Southampton who grew up listening to a host of Jazz musicians, along with large amounts of Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Starting with the delightful “Sun to My Moon” Lucy’s beautiful euphonious voice and delicately finger-picked acoustic guitar work mesmerises the audience from the start. In this setting, along with this music adoring crowd it’s a joy to sit silently listening to an artist such as this. All the qualities that she brings to the stage are beautifully highlighted and the mood lighting created by illumination technician Sam coombes further intensifies the atmosphere.

Lucy Kitchen 1–2–3–4–5–6

Lucy cruelly lost her husband from cancer two years ago, he clearly being her her biggest fan, along with being a facilitator for her musical career. The tune “Chemo Song – Sleeping Song” is a number about the days snuggled up together in the home, dealing with the effects of the cancer treatment, though hard to hear it feels it gives her comfort that they spent this time together. The poignantly powerful lyrics emotively provide a warm cosy hug at the feelings Lucy felt during those days.

The silent audience listened intently and a few tears were shed at such a bravely delivered and one of the most personally emotional numbers we have heard here. With her Emmylou Harris Gibson guitar, this supremely talented musician continues to thrill with her lyrics on tunes like the wonderfully descriptive “Winter King” and final number “The Boatman”. This audience know they have just witnessed something really special and their applause almost doesn’t feel appreciative enough for this uniquely epic set.

Next up is our last minute stand-in for the stricken Si Genaro, Al Smith, kicking off with a tune called “Anyway”. Al and his acoustic Gibson guitar provides a totally different proposition from the previous artist. He is quintessentially British sounding. with his music having a Ray Davies feel to it with seemingly Brit Pop style influences. With his harmonica neck stand akin to Bob Dylan’s we are treated to a host of tunes that provide social commentary from Al’s point of view. With tunes like “Do It Better”, “Sensible Opportunities” and audience sing-a-long “Let It Ride”; the humble musician, despite his late addition performs calmly and confidently, using the occasion to his advantage.

Al Smith 1–2–3–4–5–6

The highlight of his set was his final number, a great tune about Bournemouth Square called “Old Town Square”, with the tune featuring a host of vivid lyrical descriptions made while people watching in the town centre. Al did a great job and took his chance well, giving the crowd a great set of self-written originals, which is what this event is all about.

Rose Maris is the new moniker for “Rosie Kate”; a young lady who has performed on this stage before back in July 2024. Then she provided a fine set where she sang and played the piano. Tonight sees the culmination of work with a transformation to perform instrumental classical piano. With the help of her teacher Al from local Rock band Sirpico (Who is watching tonight with bated breath), Rose has stepped up with something that feels as if she has been always destined to do.

There is a debut album in the pipeline that has been three long years in the making called “Iter Infinitum” (translated to Infinite Journey). This evening our audience are privileged to be some of the first to hear these songs performed live. With the under lit grand piano situated centre stage, Rose dressed appropriately in an evening gown (putting many of us in jeans to shame) takes to the stage.

Rose Maris 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

The eagerly awaited first number is “Pandemonium”; a tune that shows depth, atmosphere a huge amount of creativity. Like Richard Clayderman, Bobby Crush and some bloke watching in the wings called Matt Black before her, the piano is not the easiest of instruments to master. Though Rose delivers despite her slight initial nerves, the next composition “On the Edge of the World” is a divine tune showing impressive creativity. The tune is enhanced by some of Sam’s amazing lighting effects, he has really pulled some magic out of the draw for this evening.

Rose lets her fingers ebb and flow over the ivories, while she closes her eyes, truly getting lost with the ripples and rushes of her tunes. To break things up inbetween the originals are a few covers including “How To Train Your Dragon”, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and “Divenire”, which are all nailed perfectly. With the latter tune being by Ludovico Einaudi; a artist that gave Rose the inspiration to be doing this, the performance is just breathtaking and as it reaches its conclusion this artist is gifted a standing ovation.

I have been to virtually all of the events here and this has only happened a handful of times. The crowd really loved this performance and appreciated all the efforts that had gone into this by this talented young lady who really excelled here tonight.

Set Lists
Rose Maris
Pandemonium
On the Edge of the World
Songbird
How To Train Your Dragon DreamWorks (Cover)
Elegance
Stay Strong
Clair de Lune – How To Train Your Dragon (Cover)
Spirit
We Are Limitless
In Every Life
Planets
Iter Infinitum
Divenire – Ludovico Einaudi (Cover)

Al Smith
Anyway
Do It Better
Get It Straight
Sensible Opportunities
Let it Ride
As If We Ever Were
Oran Or,
Old Town Square

Lucy Kitchen:
Sun to My Moon
Lovers in Blue
Blue Light
Chemo Song – Sleeping Song
In My Corner
Olivia
Winter King
The Boatman

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