Ian Prowse
Darwen
Library Theatre
Friday 15
April 2016
Darwen
Library Theatre is an unassuming venue.
Tucked unsurprisingly behind Darwen Library in Lancashire it probably
enables the book building to stay alive despite the Governments best attempts
to close everyone in our country. It’s
180 capacity is relatively small, but the seated room with sloping back rows
holds a superb sound and one which many larger venues could learn from.
Friday 15
April was the latest in the venue’s long run of acoustic nights which boast a
headline act and a local talent. The
local tonight on this evening was C Jay (Craig Shorrock). A man with a guitar and a clearly local
accent took to the stage to play, amongst other things, tracks from his new EP entitled
1000 Lives. He clearly has a talent,
not only lyrically but instrumentally too.
He tells tales and recites memories that will linger. He is a joy to watch.
Through
nine songs he dedicates to his daughter (Nota Bene – the line "You may mean
little to the world but you mean the world to me” is genius), his Dad
(Guiding Light) and his wife (1,000 Lives – a gorgeous song with a heartfelt
sentiment) and the cleverly entitled A Word’s Worth about Grasmere. C Jay is warmly received and someone to maybe
keep an ear on.
Ian Prowse
is the consummate professional. Entering
stage behind Laura McKinlay (who will soon display a stunning voice and equally
impressive fiddle playing), he wears jeans and a lumberjack shirt. He may need a haircut if the truth be known
and he looks like anyone you may pass in the street any day of any week.
His strength,
apart from his undeniable knack of writing a cracking tune, is his connectivity
with is audience. He feels like a pal, like the lad next door, he makes everyone
laugh with his tales of everyday life and similarly gains a seal of approval
when he breaks into things that matter to us all.
Opening with
Derry Gaol it’s clear that there is a very serious side to the cheeky Chester
born man. His many references to pal Ian
McNabb are funny but also affectionate, and his respect for The Icicles Works
frontman is clear. It is followed by a
great version of I Did It For Love (see review here) from 2014s Who Loves Ya
Baby) which sees McKinlay begin to shine.
Often
unassuming, McKinlay adds a new light to each and every song with her
accomplished fiddle playing and her voice, when called upon is faultless. One such calling is on Mississippi Beat where
she sings a duet from Ian’s current album Companeros, one of seven tracks which
he sings in a seventeen track list.
The old Pele
and Amsterdam favourites are there too – Fireworks which he dedicates to a fan
who sadly passed away is greeted with a standing ovation from the family who
are present. Ian then dedicates the show
to him.
Fat Black
Heart is likened to the current reign of David Cameron and his Eton chums, and
the classic Raid The Palace is also included together with John Peel favourite
Does This Train Stop On Merseyside? You
Can’t Win Em All Mum is poignant and one of many highlights from the
evening.
Ian Prowse
may not be a household name but he should be, and with performances like the
one at Darwen and his strong reputation as a wonderful songsmith, maybe he may
just have another crack of the whip. He deserves it.
Links
Ian Prowse/Amsterdam website
Ian Prowse on Twitter
Ian Prowse on Facebook
Ian Prowse on hiapop Blog
CJay website
CJay on Twitter
CJay on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 21/04/16 - here
Ian Prowse on Twitter
Ian Prowse on Facebook
Ian Prowse on hiapop Blog
CJay website
CJay on Twitter
CJay on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 21/04/16 - here
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