#livereview #spokenword #livemusic @Mostly_Spoken @TheCumby 27/10/2016

Review: Mostly Spoken, Cumberland Arms 27/11/2016



The simple surroundings of upstairs at the Cumberland provide the perfect stage for the monthly variety night of music and poetry called Mostly Spoken. Simma, who curates the night, opened with three of his original songs: the soon to be seasonal Happy New Year,
delta bluesy Voodon’t and Blue Eyed Baby.
Simma

Tony Gadd followed with his storytelling style of poetry, about past jobs and  the 11+. Tony is an engaging performer with a lot to talk about.

Tony Gadd

Oonah Joslin treated us to a poem about the importance of lists, another about the inevitability of the Aber Fan disaster, and others about nightmares and Manhattan Rain, she has a great book out called 3lbs of Cells. Oonah has a way of bringing individual personalities to her poems when performing.


Oonah Joslin
Sam Millington was a nice surprise with his comic country songs about being lost in Ikea and the hell of call centres. Call centres was a subject explored by poet Jenni Pascoe also, and she spoke of relationships and war, in an expressive and passionate way.
Sam Millington
Cath Campbell is a pithy poet with her poems about the impact of war on children, and about comfort eating through loss.



Mr Hopper
The night was completed with a performance, the first in some time by Ben Holland and double bassist “Mr Hopper” who form the duo “Mr Holland”. Ben has written some beautifully observed songs and he has a voice that moves from cynical to treacle within one word.  The haunting Stories In These Walls, the lushly dark Dusk and the pensive I Wish I’d Done Something More were great but I didn’t expect to be choking back the tears during the ode to motherhood, Kid but I was. This was a triumphant return to the stage for Mr Holland in my opinion. I hope to see more of this duo.

Ben Holland

Mostly Spoken happens every last Thursday of the month, upstairs at the Cumberland Arms and promises varied spoken word, and original song-writing artists.

Facebook page for Mostly Spoken

All photos © Carliol Photography 2016 -Live event photography, press shots and portraiture
07928078810


Comments

  1. What wopnderful photos, Roz. Thanks for this review. It certainly was a varied and entertaining night. Next time say hello will you?

    ReplyDelete

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