Onto tonight, whilst it’s a showcase for his latest album the excellent ‘Best Epic’ it’s also a breeze through his entire back catalogue taking in at least one track from all of his albums. It’s a sedate affair with the two guys in the band supporting Beam predominantly on cello and double bass with the girls on keyboard and drums/ percussion. What strikes you most is the harmonies from the girls providing a beautiful contrast to Beam’s voice when they share the vocals. These are not backing singers but strong voices in their own right and it is on those tracks where they are front and centre that work best tonight.
Beam’s easy going self-deprecating humour provides seamless segways between songs and even dare we say banter with the crowd. One such unheard shout from the crowd gets a ‘Grrr to you to too’ from Beam as he encourages us to whistle and whoop as its makes him stronger.
It was great to hear ‘Jesus the Mexican Boy’ and ‘Southern Anthem’, two real oldies still getting into the set. Tonight was never going to be rockin and whilst the set will never please everyone, the relaxed mellowness flowed over the crowd who listened with respectful politeness. It was so hushed that it felt like you were alone with headphones concentrating on every note and whispered word.
A lovely evening where you could just sit back, kick back and let the sweet music overcome you in harmonic waves.
Keep on chilled out soft folk rockin’ y’all