An obscenely early arrival at the venue around 6.30 for door opening. This was not because of a desperate need to see support act Sam Amidon but more because any decent seat is essentially gone after about thirty minutes. I have written before about the Union Chapel. A wonderful room with great sound and ethereal backdrop but the bun fight to get a pew with people just arriving plonking their bags and coats across the length of the pew and buggering off for an hour is painful. Surely numbered pews isn’t beyond the wit of man like they do at the altar of country, the Ryman.
Anyhoo its Bonny Light Horseman tonight, essentially a folk rock supergroup made up of Eric B Johnson, Anais Mitchell and Josh Kaufman. Tonight they are ably supported with Chris Vatalaro on drums and Cameron Ralston on bass both of which had smiles that didn’t leave their faces for the whole night. I don’t blame them, the smile did not leave mine either.
It’s very close to musical perfection tonight, fine songwriting, great musicians, superb sound, enigmatic lighting and exquisite harmonies, especially at the very top end that Mitchell’s’ and Johnson’s voices inhabit so well.
It’s the perfect set with an almost equal split of tracks from both of their fine albums with each track showcasing the chemistry of the trio with Kaufman leading on guitar acting as the musical director tonight but allowing Johnson and Mitchell to take centre stage sharing vocal duties and harmonising perfectly together. This is especially true of Johnson with that unique voice that soars to the top of the chapel’s dome and then rains down drenching us in its beauty. A word for Kaufman on guitar who is understated all night but boy has he got some licks. Mitchell too along with co-leading vocals keeps the songs driving along with acoustic rhythm guitar.
On a night of highlights ‘Fleur de Lis’ was exceptional as was self-titled ‘Bonny Light Horseman’ in the encore where Amidon joins them on stage too. The whole night closes with an unplugged, bluegrass style of ‘Bright Morning Stars’ with the four of them crowding around a single mic.
A perfect night with a great band. Nice to get a five star night in so early in the year
Keep on folk country rockin’ y’all