Hi Seaford Sessioners,
Pardon us if we can’t resist passing on just a couple of the compliments received after last Saturday’s Old Baby Mackerel sold-out gig, one being ‘Well organised, loads of energy, fabulous atmosphere, top night’ and another simply ‘Awesome’.
We aim to please and are delighted that more than 80 per cent of you judged the show Excellent, with the digital replies still to be assessed (please complete the audience survey sent out on Sunday, it takes less than a minute!).
Bristol-based Old Baby Mackerel, who had replaced The Often Herd because of health problems, gave an outstanding performance despite playing one short, their bass player having caught Covid. Their high level of musicianship produced an excellent sound in the superb acoustics of Seaford Little Theatre, providing yet another example of the eclectic programme of bluegrass, roots and Americana organised by Seaford Sessions.
Our team too was hit by illness so we were glad that our shortness of hands was not too apparent and that lots of you hit the bar for post gig chat.
Seaford Sessions makes a point of providing an eclectic variety of top-quality acoustic music so it is no surprise that tickets for our next concert, on 28 October, featuring Hannah Saunders and Ben Savage were selling well on Saturday, along with those for The Magpies on 16 December.
Book now for 28 October gig
Hannah and Ben’s set is bound to feature songs from their latest album, Rosy Morning. MOJO praised it ‘as heartwarming as it is beguiling’. It peaked at no3 in the UK folk album charts.
To create this album the duo hired a quiet old schoolhouse by the sea, sat in the dining room, lit the fire, opened a bottle of wine, set up a few mics and played. Nothing pre-arranged. No big ideas. No pre-production. No thought of releasing anything from it. They simply played the songs they had known for years, savouring all the energy and emotion they carry.
Hannah and Ben defy conventions of style, genre and compartmentalisation. With a touch of Americana, their music is quintessentially English, traditional yet contemporary, playful and instinctive.
Hannah’s pure voice and Ben’s distinctive guitar sound unite with infectious enthusiasm. As R2 Magazine put it in a 5-star review: ‘An exquisite soundscape, which is the result of passion, precision and unbridled intimacy.’
Their single-microphone live show has played across the UK, the US, Canada and Asia and they have shared the stage with the likes of Fairport Convention, Sarah Jarosz, Martin Simpson, Seth Lakeman and Gretchen Peters.
Mike Harding in his Folk Show said: ‘I’ve loved Hannah Sanders’ voice since first listen and Ben Savage is a master musician. They are both deep into the soul of their music. I think this album is the best thing they’ve done.’ In one word, from the Guardian: ‘Flawless’.
The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are available from wegottickets or from the Seaford Tourist Information Centre in Church Street, but get in quickly because these gigs sell out fast.
Coming up in 2024
Our bookers have been really active with five bands signed up for Little Theatre gigs next year:
16 March – Wilderness Yet
22 June – Michael Messer’s Mitra
21 September – Indian Electric Company
26 October – Granny’s Attic
21 December – Churchfitters
Andrea and the Seaford Sessions team