‘Satori And Song’ is a new, monthly acoustic event happening at the chilled out Café 07 bar on Liverpool’s Mount Pleasant and a very classy affair this, its opening night, proved to be.
Local guitarist Phil Tweedle had the unenviable task of drawing the attention of early punters toward the performing area but did so admirably with a trio of acoustic guitar instrumentals – a nice touch to warm us up for what was yet to come.
John Barry from duo 21st Fret
Next up were 21st Fret, two young guys playing mainly covers but with a fairly distinctive style – mainly focused on the incredibly powerful voice of the one doing the singing. This one element of their performance keeps your attention throughout most of their set but I have to admit that by the time they delivered their somewhat overwrought version of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall my attention had began to drift off.
Hannah Platt
However the real class on offer only began to show itself with the arrival on stage of the evening’s organiser and hostess Hannah Platt who played a short but effortless set of beautifully constructed songs delivered with cool assurance. Quite rightly she enjoyed her time in the limelight but was also generous and genuine in urging the audience to enjoy the remaining two acts.
Virginia Haze
Of these, first up was Virginia Haze with her bluesy, acoustic folk music. A rich voice and great songcraft made her set very enjoyable and had us wondering if the night could possibly get any better? But when you have someone of the calibre of Ian Bailey headlining the night you are surely onto a winner. Lest you don’t know, Ian hails from Preston and is undoubtedly one of the best (and most under-rated) singer-songwriters operating in the north-west, maybe even the country today. He provided us with a set of beautiful songs delivered with unerring professionalism, style and warmth, and the odd surprise – a very powerful version of Radiohead’s Karma Police.
Ian Bailey & Kat Daggers
Ably assisted by Kat Daggers on backing vocals on a couple of songs, Ian brought the first ‘Satori And Song’ to a very satisfying end.
On this first offering it looks like a night that could (and should) run and run!!
Photos © 2008 John Middleham
[The next Satori & Song takes place on Thursday 28th August 2008. See the entry in the diary for more details.]
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