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Manchester Acoustic Guitar's first Celebrity Concert, and what a concert it was! Described as Musik and Musings at Christmas Tyme the lucky audience were witness to a true folk music legend, Ashley Hutchings, late of Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and still playing in the Albion Band. Alongside him were Steve Marsh on classical guitar, and soprano Judy Dunlop, providing the audience with some marvelously evocative Christmas-flavoured goodies.
Many of the tunes were new to a lot of the audience, having been written or collected by Steve, Ashley or Judy for the most part. One such case was the two-parter, written by Ashley, called All Hayle to the Days, that had so many verses it was split across the two halves of the programme. Some however were not home spun, like A Rainy Day in Soho and Hallelujah. The former is a gentle piece by the Pogues, and the latter, a work of Leonard Cohen's.
Steve, sitting cross-legged with his classical provided some telling accompaniments, soloing a few times as in his original The Evening Star from his suite, The Train Set. Ashley, on the other hand, alternated his bass playing with some funny and sometimes moving monologues What to do at an office party, (or rather what NOT to do) being particularly memorable). Judy's voice was crystal clear and admirably suited to the material. All in all it was a marvelous evening's entertainment, rounded off by some carol singing by everyone including the audience, who went home knowing they had witnessed something a little bit special. Here's hoping we can get them back sometime in the future!
The Full Programme:
Past 3 o'clock (Words and Music: A. Hutchings)
Christmas Day is Come (Words: L. Wadding/Music: J. Dunlop)
A Rainy Day in Soho (The Pogues)
Winster Morris Reel (Music: S. Marsh)
All Hayle to the Dayes (A. Hutchings)
Christ Child Lullaby (Words and Music: J. Dunlop)
Mistletoe, Holly and Pine (Words: A. Hutchings/Music: S. Marsh)
Christmas Rapping (Words and Music: S. Marsh)
INTERVAL
All Hayle to the Dayes (part 2) (A. Hutchings)
Dishes in the Sink (Words and Music: J. Dunlop)
Hallelujah (Words and Music: L. Cohen)
And So It Goes (Words and Music: B. Joel)
Evening Star (Music: S. Marsh)
Somerset Carol (Traditional)
CAROLS:
In the Bleak Mid-Winter, First Nowell, Silent Night, Ding Dong Merrily on High
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