"I hope you like squeezeboxes," said John Spiers, and it was as well that his audience did. This was a brave, remarkably low-key solo show from Britain's best-known exponent of the melodeon and concertina. Spiers first became a folk scene celebrity working alongside Jon Boden in Spiers & Boden, but that was eclipsed by the huge commercial success they have enjoyed with their folk big-band, Bellowhead.
But changes are coming. Bellowhead will continue, featuring both Spiers and Boden, of course, but the pair have announced that after 14 years of working as a duo, their next tour will be their last. Spiers clearly wants to explore new projects. He'll be appearing at the Albert Hall in April, when Bellowhead celebrate their 10th anniversary, but this was a very different venture, playing in a basement room that seated no more than 60 people. There was no amplification, and he made it clear from the start that he wasn't even going to sing. Instead, he stuck to traditional instrumentals and his own compositions.
An uncompromising approach, maybe, but it worked, thanks to his blend of elegant, rhythmic and virtuoso playing and easygoing folk club banter. He started with hornpipes, some self-penned songs ("This is called Hyena because it's got a high 'e' in it"), and moved on to elegant slower tunes and morris dances. Many of the best pieces were his own compositions, fitting easily with the traditional material. There was a stomping treatment of Bellowhead favourite Frozen Gin, while the more lyrical work included the charming Red Kite. Spiers could have been even more adventurous – the last time I saw him he was playing furious Cajun music with Mama Rosin– but for a first solo outing this was a quiet triumph.
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