Tonight it was the Simone Felice Group unplugged. The evening kicked off with the fabulous voice of Simi Stone for half a dozen songs. A cover of Neil Young’s ‘Birds’, two songs dedicated to a past friend and her father and then, a song dedicated to someone “still alive”. A nice way to set the scene and a voice that must get some serious recognition soon.
Having been at an intensely electric and emotionally charged gig at Bush Hall in
Although the Junction 2 is a small venue, the stage is larger than Bush Hall and the audience is seated, as opposed to standing. The venue was two thirds full unlike
The band walked on to the stage around 9pm. Simone (it is pronounced Simon) with a lot more colour in his face than the previous Friday, more smiles and that glint in his eye. It’s acoustic guitar all the way through tonight (the Gretsch is broken). The set list is mixed up but does start again with ‘New York Times’ and ‘You & I Belong’.
The stage being bigger means that the band are further apart which also gives off a more sedate air. A slightly shorter set song wise but as usual, lovely communication with the audience. The set pretty much came in at the 90 minute mark. Those ninety minutes however were supreme.
The songs touch the heart every time. The band are all ‘on the same page’ lovely slide guitar and mandolin from Matty Boulter (The Lucky Strikes) from Leigh-on-Sea or “
So two shows in six days, both different and both thoroughly enjoyable. Let’s take the opening song, ‘New York Times’ as an example of what I am trying to convey. At Bush Hall the song was amazingly intense. Simone almost spat the lyrics with a contorted face of emotion. Last night in
This is in no way a criticism because the styles of shows were so different.
Pete
Rough set list from memory
Set List:
NY Times
You & I Belong
Summer rain
Shaky
American Song
Charade
If I Every get Famous
Don’t Wake the Scarecrow Tonight
Hey Bobby Ray
Radio Song
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Wish You Were Here
Helpless
Knockin’ on Heavens Door
