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Suntrap at Havering Folk Club Wednesday 4th
June
During this past year we have had some truly memorable evenings at the Havering Folk Club with guest nights, member’s specials and general sing-a-rounds, but this evening’s performance featuring the dynamic foursome Suntrap must surely rank as one of the best ever. With two sets of approximately 40 minutes each we were treated to an amazing display of musical virtuosity, well crafted songs, superb arrangements, beautifully structured harmonies and pure entertainment. The group consists of Paul Hoad on guitar, harmonica (and occasional electronic Roland bass drum effect played with his bare foot!); Sara Byers on accordion, guitar, bohdran and whistle; Mary Wilson, violin and Debbie Chalmers, violin. Between them they produced some wonderfully tight harmonies and the two lead vocalists, Paul and Sara, have absolutely outstanding voices.
The majority of their songs are their own compositions, Paul and Sara being the principal writers. They both have their own individual style of writing but the whole group combine to give each song its own unique character with such tight textured arrangements that seem to weave a tapestry of wonderful layered sounds that breathes life and soul into each song. All four are superb musicians but it is obvious from the way that they perform that there is no room for prima donnas! It is the song that is first and foremost. They use dynamics so well and hold back when the song requires simplicity. But when they do need to rock and pull out all stops then they sure know how to.
The whole evening was well balanced with a lovely mix of songs and styles and absolutely no weak points. Among the songs that really stood out for me was their stunning vocal arrangement of the old traditional song Blacksmith. Black Crows Wing, one of Paul’s songs, I found quite outstanding with its vivid poetic imagery. I also enjoyed Sparkle, another of his songs that he wrote for his son. His or Mine is a truly great song that really shows off Paul’s ability as both a writer and a performer.
Sara’s songs are also quite outstanding. Peacock Skirt has an almost dreamlike effect to its structure while the alluring and sensual lyrics of Cherry Head displays so vividly how music and lyrics when carefully woven together can take on a life of their own.
I do hope that it is not too long before we have the pleasure of seeing Suntrap at the club again. For those of you that sadly missed their gig you can sample some of their songs at their myspace page www.myspace.com/suntrap or their website www.suntrap.org where details can be obtained on how to order their CDs.
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