Boo Hewerdine + various support acts - Assembly House, Norwich, Norfolk, England - 11.10.02

Never have I been to a gig in such a grand setting as this - the Assembly House is fitted out with chandeliers and plush chairs to park your bum on and with the ambient orange lighting effects and grand piano on stage, you could almost be forgiven for thinking that you had actually come to see a classical piano recital rather than a contemporary folk singer/songwriter be put through his paces.  The acoustics of the ornate hall also worked well with the music. I felt that I was one of a select few as I would estimate that the audience numbers only rose to about 60 people.

This was an unusual concert since the support acts performed songs written by Boo (with a few of their own chucked in to the bargain) and then Boo came on to the stage to perform, guess what, some more of his own songs - it was therefore a tribute to Boo and he was privileged in the sense that he got to see other artists appreciating his music in his lifetime.  The support acts themselves were excellent - they were all talented musicians and singers in their own right.  They performed "16 Miles", "Murder in the Dark" (with a superb cello and piano accompaniment), "Fire Dogs", "Patience of Angels", "King Chicago" (an old "The Bible" song for those of you that don't know that), "I Remember/The Ship Song", "Last Cigarette", "Semi-Precious" (also sung by Eddi Reader and featured on her "Candyfloss" album) and "Honey Be Good". 

For a man who is capable of writing very soul revealing songs, Boo doesn't seem to have lost any of his wit.  His first few words on stage were that he was a bit upset that some of the support acts performed the songs maybe better than he did.  In fact, his light-hearted banter continued for the rest of the evening in-between songs - he referred to his current tour and a brochure which is being used to promote his gig in Colchester, Essex (England) - apparently the brochure states that he "never fails to disappoint!"  His witty delivery reminded me of Mel Smith in the closing sequence of "Alas Smith & Jones", the cabaret sketch at the close of the evening when Mel is talking in a slow, deep and slightly seedy voice.   Anyway, I think that's enough picture/scene building for you.  Boo kicked off with the sparky "Joke".  He then did the song about the close of the dance halls after the war (can't remember the name of that song at the moment).  The rest of his set included "Greedy" and the dreamy "World's End" (taken from his currently unavailable "Baptist Hospital" album), the beautiful "Paper Planes", "The Bible" classic, "Graceland", "Roundabout" and "Peacetime" (taken from his new album "Anon") and "Footsteps Fall" and "Bell, Book and Candle" (taken from his penultimate album, "Thanksgiving"). 

The mood was mellow and the evening was incredibly relaxed.   To top it all off, Boo announced that all profits from the sale of any CDs during the evening would be donated to a local charity.  What a guy!

Rating: *****  

Date of Review: 13.10.02

For photos of the gig, go to: http://www.lisaredford.co.uk/base/boo.htm

For info on tour dates, go to: http://www.boohewerdine.net/tour/tour.htm

Boo Hewerdine + Angelou (supporting act) - Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich, Norfolk, England - 13.10.99

Angelou provided a nice mellow warm up - having similar effect to a glass of mulled wine on a cold, wintry night.  The strains of the acoustic guitars were quite pleasurable indeed and I think I may well invest some hard earned cash in an Angelou CD at some point in the very near future.

Whilst watching the band in the corner of my eye I saw someone who looked familiar to me, who seemed to be taking quite an interest in the proceedings.  After taking a harder look at him I thought I recognised him as Mr. Hewerdine himself.  By this time he was standing next to my friend:  I gave her a nudge; at the same time I was frantically repeatedly tilting my head, like someone a few cans short of a six pack, in an attempt to draw her attention to the person standing next to her.   Disbelievingly, she looked at me and muttered "It isn't, is it?  Naahh, it isn't is it?" to which I replied "I dunno".  Shortly afterwards the mystery person disappeared and then re-appeared just before Angelou finished their set, this time he had a guitar case and headed towards the stage back door ...

Rating: ***

My suspicions were soon confirmed: the man who was earlier standing only a few inches away from my friend was, let me compose myself, none other than the inimitable Boo.   This man oused vibes of laid backness - some of the members of his audience were soon sitting cross-legged on the floor.  It was like being back at primary school, sitting on a carpet with class mates waiting to be told a story.  It wasn't long before Boo's voice (which could melt even the first woman PM of England's iron exterior) was flowing like a river of chocolate.  "World's End", "Graceland", "16 Miles", "Patience of Angels" and "Honey Be Good" kept the atmosphere mellow.  A few new songs were given an airing too - "Paper Planes", "Angel on my Shoulder" and a song which I think was called something like "Bugs on the Windscreen".  The tempo was picked up with "59 Yards", one of my personal faves.  In between songs Boo kept us entertained with some jokes and interesting anecdotes which raised quite a few smiles.   To sum up, great songs, great bloke.

Rating: *****

Date of Review: 18.11.99