29 May 2011

Peacock Angell, Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater

Angell Delight

The former home of the celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron at Dimbola Lodge,Freshwater provided a fitting setting for Peacock Angell - Ruth Angell and Sid Peacock - who delivered a heady blend of songs and tunes.

A consistent highlight of the evening was Ruth's exemplary songwriting. 'Mrs Lowther'- about a much-respected school teacher - and 'The Birdman' - about a man feeding the birds on the streets of Paris were beautifully delivered, with delicate and graceful guitar work by both musicians.

Ruth is equally talented at setting poetry to music. Fittingly, arrangements of Tennyson's 'The Brook' and 'The Princess' - together with Christina Rossetti's 'Song' - were sung with great sensivity, and played by both a very gentle and relaxing way.

In contrast, Sid's contribution included the Irish folk song 'Carrickfergus' with a ska/reggae slant, and the late Allen Ginsberg's song 'Love Forgiven' which followed a great story about Sid meeting the great Beat poet in Belast.

The songs were punctuated by several sets of tunes, with Ruthon Fiddle and Sid on guitar- played with great fluidity.

The encore was another moving song of Ruth's - written for her young nephew and called 'Days of Days', with a spoken introduction by Sid and Ruth on harmonium.

With minimal PA, the concert very much complemented the setting. I feel sure that Mrs Cameron would have approved.

Vic King