The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show / Roxanne Phillips / Nick Capaldi
December 14, 2023Hangover Hill Presents Live & Unheard, Lighthouse, Poole
This evening is the last Live & Unheard of 2023; wow, what a year it has been. We have had some amazing performances from a great collection of artists, with a wide variety of styles and genres. Hangover Hill’s Matt Black and Mel Berkhauer do need to be congratulated for growing this event into such a success that it has become.
Every month the seats in the Sherling studio here at the Lighthouse are full of music fans, eagerly awaiting what is in store. This month we have three acts, with the headliners returning after a few triumphant previous performance here; with gigs outside on the terrace and on the larger theatre stage.
The first act on this evening is Dorchester based singer/songwriter Nick Capaldi who this year released his 15 track album called “You and all the Seasons”. This is an album full of great influences and guest players, recorded at his own Echotown Studio situated here in Dorset. Nick takes to the stage after the usual warm introduction by our host Si Genaro.
Kicking off with “We Fall” from his 2012 album “A Shade Of Orange” and his unique voice is unveiled to tonight’s sizable audience. With just his six-string acoustic guitar Nick delights us with his gentle finger plucking style, with stripped down tracks played simply unplugged style.
His songwriting has a real depth too and is really varied. There are a host of influences from Britpop to The Beatles, with sprinkles of Reggae and Blues. Tracks like early numbers “Twelve 21” and the first track he ever wrote called “Jealous Streak” shows off his musical ability. The audience provide a respectful silence while Nick is playing and listen contently to all he has to offer.
The set ends with a couple of the best tracks from the new album including “Sunnys and Guitars” inspired by a line taken from an interview with Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora and a track with a cool Reggae vibe called “Change Your Hat”. If you like what Nick had to offer, have a listen to his latest album; the tracks feature so much more depth with a host of welcome surprises.
Next up are three superheroes of the local music scene who each have their own superpowers! Roxanne Phillips (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Millie Watson (Backing Vocals) and Yui Karlberg (Backing Vocals & Guitar are three friends that have formed a union that creates music in their own right and together.
Tonight, the focus is on the award-winning singer/songwriter Roxanne who creates original music in a unique way. This feisty young lady has her own struggles in life with various personal ailments, which she shrugs off and just gets on with things… surely a lesson to all of us moaners. Also please be aware that showing any sympathy to her would be at your own peril.
The three troubadours are joined by Si Genaro who is set to freestyle his harmonica over the top of the tracks. Her songs provide some great entertainment and clearly the audience warm to her straight away… even her own service dog Rebel sits contently listening. Her folk-infused style is infectious and imaginative, with pirate tunes like “Esther Buccaneer” along with the autobiographical “Defenders”.
The quartet all complement each other and the acoustics in this place show off all they have to offer. “Gods of The Sun”, her recent single about a Sun God and her spiders takes a psychedelic turn with some first-rate inventive imagination. The crowd are given their instructions to join in and when Roxy tells you to do something you obey.
The final number “Fergo Shanti” is another catchy, nautical Irish pirate jig; the audience join in and the set ends on a high. The players get their just rewards with a noisy celebration of a great set that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Tonight’s headliners need no introduction, and the eight-piece line-up includes the notable return of fiddle player Alison Jay after a short hiatus from the band. They are celebrating the recent release of their latest album “Folkadelica”, clearly a play on the name of Primal Scream’s “Screamadelica”. They kick off with the in your face “Float Your Boat”, a powerfully infectious tune that shows the full extent of the bands creativity. Harmonica, banjo, fiddle, along with some additional percussion are added to the usual rock n’ roll rudiments to bring the songs of lead singer Mark Lyons to life. They are not just another Folk band and I say “folk” loosely as there are so much more elements to their music to enjoy with subtle influences aplenty.
One of the tracks “King With No Throne” from the new album is a heartfelt emotional tribute to Mark’s late Father and tonight is the first time that the band have played here since his passing. Ironically the last time he saw his son perform was here in the larger theatre in November 2021. Mark battles his emotions while performing the tune and his band carry him through after this emotive challenge. The band have a real momentum and I’ll challenge anyone to find a local outfit who enjoy performing together as much as these do. There is a real orchestrated chemistry going on with everyone knowing their place in the band and what part they have to play within it.
The punk infused “Snapping Bones” hits the spot, while their customary cover of The Beastie Boys “Fight For Your Right to party” gets the audience moving in the seats. One of the highlights from the new album is “I’m So Angry I Could Vote”, which sounds great live with extra added energy. The intense multiple harmonies emphasise the words of this financial crisis protest song. Their set ends with the first and one of my favourite tracks from “Folkadelica”; “2nd Law of Thermodynamics”, with the band keeping the audience fully entertained right through to the last note.
The crowd shows their appreciation as The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show bring “Live & Unheard” 2024 to a signification close.
Set Lists
The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show
Float Your Boat
A Snake’s a Snake
King With No Throne
Lose Your Step
Ghosts
Starting Again
Rat in The Palace
Snapping Bones
Fight For Your Right To Party (Beastie Boys)
I’m So Angry I Could Vote
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Roxanne Phillips
Beatle
Boring
Peaceful Night
Asia Rose
Defenders
Esther Bucceneer
Gods Of The Sun
Fergo Shanti
Nick Capaldi:
We Fall
Mixed Emotions
Twelve 21
Ain’t No One
Don’t Go Too High
Jealous Streak
It’s Only
Sunnies & Guitars
Change Your Hat
Videos
“Live & Unheard” featuring Lady Winwood’s Maggot, Coosticks, and Caliman (Mark Ellham) returns on Thursday 25th January. Tickets can be purchased here.
Links
https://www.facebook.com/TheTwoManTravellingMedicineShow
https://www.facebook.com/RoxannePhillipsMusic
https://nickcapaldi.com
Words & Media by David Chinery (Chinners)
