From: petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com
Sent: 20 December 2011 05:58
Subject: Pete Fyfe live review
Attachments: Albion Christmas Band
2011.jpg
ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND - St Edith's Hall, Kemsing, Kent 20.12.11
Perhaps I'm suffering from a case of too much Dickens Christmas
Carol but recently I've been inundated with a deluge of letters courtesy of the
ghost of ?Facebook yet to come' and correspondence from (advertising manager in
chief?) Simon Care. The reason is the annual good will to all men conveyed by
the aptly titled Albion Christmas Band. Of course I, along with countless
others can enjoy the band at anytime (check out their latest CD "A Sound In The
Frosty Air") but, let's face it, the enticement of a rousing chorus from Simon
Nicol's authorative vocals are enough to get us all back to a candle-lit church
service. Well, OK?perhaps not?but you get my drift. What better way than to get
the packed audience warmed up with a repertoire of songs and readings including
"The Sans Carol", "The King" and a "Calling On Song" performed with much
bonhomie from Nicol, along with fellow band members Simon Care
(vocals/melodeon), Kellie While (vocals/guitar) and the bass guitar/vocals of
Ashley Hutchings. In a performance that propelled itself from the stage to
encompass everyone of the audience ensured that the crowd's beaming smiles
could have lit the darkest corners of Scrooge's lodgings. No "bah-humbugs"
here, just great music and jocularity and (for me at least) the highlights of
the evening came with Care's reading of the costs of paying for the twelve days
of Christmas in 2011 (£53,386 in case you were wondering) and Kellie's
outstanding version of "Mad World". Finishing with a medley of "Once In Royal
David's City/The Holly & The Ivy and Sweet Chiming Bells" the evening drew
(too quickly) to its inevitable conclusion leaving just enough time for a
stirring encore of "The Seven Joys Of Mary"?and yes Mr Care, we will be back
for more next year! www.folkicons.co.uk/albionchristmas.htm
PETE FYFE