Dan Whitehouse, Rebecca De Winter, Dove & Boweevil – Grapevine @ Bedfords, Bedfords Bar, Norwich 12 November 2014. Photo by Richard Shashamane
Billed as a night which included Dan Whitehouse, Rebecca De Winter, and Dove and Boweevil (all making return appearances) it was unfortunate that Lauren Dove was the latest to fall victim to that early winter cold which is doing the rounds and the hoped for medicinal properties of vitamin C were not enough to have her feeling well enough in time for this gig. So, at very short notice we had honorable and worthy appearances from Andy Walker, Little Red, and Malaya Blue stepping in and performing a wonderful set alongside Boweevil on acoustic guitar. Malaya Blue taking vocal duties for four of her songs which of course Mark Howes and Andy Walker know well from playing in her band. The final four or five songs were delivered by Little Red, belting out the blues in her superb earthy voice. A lovely set and well done to all for performing so very well at short notice.
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Rebecca De Winter was on next, playing solo at the piano but also joined for a handful of songs by headliner Dan Whitehouse on guitar and vocals. I remember Rebecca well from her visit last year but she made even more of an impression on me this time around, showcasing some new songs. As well as her lovely voice and piano playing I was taken most of all by the storytelling nature and the characters of the songs. ‘Margaret’ a character in Bedford being just one of these, and Photograph was another beautiful song. It was of course no surprise to learn that she is particularly inspired by books and this shows in her storytelling style. She also happens to have a truly lovely merch stall within her travelling suitcase.
Rebecca De Winter, with Dan Whitehouse
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Rebecca De Winter
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Dan Whitehouse from Birmingham also played a tender set, getting the audience to join in on one number, and also playing a few songs with Rebecca, one of which featured her playing bird-like flute. I liked Dan’s gentle singing style and delicate guitar, again storytelling in song, and for the finale he was joined not just by Rebecca but also Steve Howlett making an extremely rare but welcome cameo on electric guitar.
Dan Whitehouse
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Dan Whitehouse
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It was another lovely and warm Grapevine night with an extremely convivial atmosphere and an especially attentive and quiet audience hanging on every word and note of every song. It was also most heartwarming to see an impromptu jam taking place at the end whilst everything was being packed away. Delightful!
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Many thanks to Steve and Jan, Bedfords Bar, Dan Whitehouse, Rebecca De Winter, Mark Howes, Andrew Walker, Little Red, and Malaya Blue, and Stuart on the sound desk.
A fox on a night time prowl
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Also, a quick plug and reminder that the Rainbow Girls still need our help and pledges to fund the recording of their second album. You can pre-order the CD or pledge any amount however large or small at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rainbow-girls-second-album
Words and photos, richard shashamane (c) 2014 all rights reserved. Photos not to be used without permission.
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Norwich: Music City, UK 