Knight, Othen & Smith / Paul J Rose The Mug House (Claines, Worcester)
What better way is there to spend a Sunday afternoon? Bright warm sunshine, local beer garden, good beer, a bar-b-que and some great live music.
A certain Mr Jamie Knight organised this event to raise a bit of cash for St Richards Hospice, and bought a few friends along for the ride together with a large crowd who were gathered outside this wonderful little pub in Claines enjoying the sun.
First up was local singer songwriter Paul J Rose peddling his blend of acoustic folk and occasionally bluesy rock. He performed a couple of the tracks fro his debut album 'A Nice Cup Of Tea" such as 'Dawn In Cripple gate Park' 'Eye For a Bargain' and the wonderful 'Rubbish Song' along with a couple of songs I have not heard before including 'Snug At The Mug' a story about a failed relationship that he once had while drinking at this very pub. A short set from Paul, but one that was very well received from the ensembled masses.
Jamie Knight is a local singer songwriter with, some say, the best voice in Worcester, if not the UK. A terrific songwriter and a great performer, he is superbly accompanied by Ex Machine Breaker Simon Othen on guitar and mandolin and Paul Smith on double bass. Together they create a wonderful sound that confirm their position as Worcesters finest musicians.
Kicking off their set with the magnificent Lonely Life, the trio kept the crowd entertained and enthralled with their fine talent, a selection of self penned songs such as the awesome Girl In The Light and Stay Right along with a selection of their interpretations of classic tracks such as Tracy Chapmans Fast Car, Bob Marley Redemption Song, Ray LaMontagnes Trouble and Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. With the likes of Damien Rice, David Gray and all the other singer songwriters out there I am sure that there is room for Knight, Othen and Smith in this world. This band should be prepared to take their rightful place at the top of the heap. It cant be long now before the musicianship, songwriting skill and presentation of KOS, and the amazing voice of Jamie Knight are noticed by the wider music industry. They deserve the success. They have worked for it and it is coming, I am sure.
This was a tremendous gig and it was great to see so many people come out and listen to some great local live music. It was just a shame that the gig had to end a little early due to the Evening Song service taking place at the neighbouring Church. Oh well. It is Sunday and if you have to play second fiddle to the Big Man then so be it.
