Worcester Music Forum

The Swan Sessions
Live @ The Swan Theatre, Worcester. 10/03/07 NJS

Okay. So Saturdays arent my most productive day. To be honest, I rarely see the light of day before noon and am hardly ever seen outside the flat before 3pm. So it comes as no surprise that when I heard about the new Swan Sessions being held at the Swan Theatre I thought the 2pm start was a bit early. But, despite my laziness I did manage to drag my sorry ass down there, albeit 45 minutes late, therefore missing the first act.
The swan sessions are a new monthly (hopefully more often) unplugged series of shows held in the bar of the Worcester Swan Theatre. The half flooded Pitchcroft racecourse provides a wonderful back drop to a couple of hours live, unplugged, un amplified acoustic music.
As I said, I was a bit late so I missed the first act, but I joined the party as Wake (from local band The Dastards) was performing his stuff. This guy has a great, unique sounding voice that many bands lack. Listen to GnR and you can tell that its Axl. Listen to Queen and you can tell its Freddie. Listen to The Dastards and you can tell that its Wake. His voice is very distinctive, which is good.  His set comprised almost entirely of original material written by Wake finishing off with What I Came For, The Dastards new single (download it here and help them get it in the top40.)
After a short break, local legend Jamie Knight set up with a couple of mates. Knight, Othen and Smith as they are known are a local trio who have been playing together for quite a while now, but I have never seen them in such a stripped down, raw environment as this. No amps, no microphone, just three guys, two guitars and one double bass. Jamie has an amazing soulful voice and is happy singing fast tempo tracks like Nina Simones Aint Got No / I Got Life as well softer numbers such as Tracy Chapmans Fast Car.
 A great setting, a couple of terrific acts (sorry I missed the first guy) and a wonderfully relaxing afternoon. Next one is in April be there.

Review by The Ed