Thursday 27th September 07 - Music Exchange featuring Dave Abbott Jess Banister The Harri Watts Band and Ernest (Rare Acoustic Performance) (1/2) By Michelle Dee

(1/2), (2/2).

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The Music Exchange night organised and run by Dave Watts and Derek Harrison from The Harri Watts Band is most certainly a civilised way to enjoy live music in the city. I remark as much, to early arrival, Jim (Ernest bassist) as we tuck into the chicken curry and chips included in the modest ticket price of £4/5. The night is held once a month on a Thursday, in the function suite at The Dorchester Hotel on Beverley Road.

I’ve been once or twice before and really enjoyed the respectable setting, the attentive crowd, the atmosphere and of course the food isn’t bad. First on stage tonight was Dave Abbott, having seen the recent article in the local press about the singer/songwriter I was keen to see what he had to offer. What that was, was a mixed bag of original material and covers sang with a confidence and gentle guitar sound.

The first song, What Separates Me From You was akin to Hessle band Still Life’s song Seventeen and introduced us to Dave’s strong vocals that were more evident in a reworked version of Hard to Handle. Kiss For My Roses original song, repetitive relaxed guitar motifs that will appeal to the MOR fan. Vicky’s Song had strong local imagery and was very Hull. Omerta, Dave’s contribution to the Flood Aid CD sounded different to the recording and even more redolent live.

Next on this night of acoustic treats was the HDM Talent Trail Winner 2007, Jess Bannister. On her big night a few months a go I heard many people commenting on her voice and how they’d all thought she was a most deserved winner. Her rich country/pop vocals charmed the audience tonight and I could see why she had won out over the other competitors at Talent Trail.

She opens with a cover then into Happy - a hopeful upbeat number that is sure to lift the spirits of the listener. Her pop credentials show with a reworked song by popular boy band Five which she adapts well to suit her vocal range and style.

It’s not hard to see the average Viking FM and Radio Humberside listener not latching on to her girl next door manner. She’s a sure thing, smiley personality shines through blithe sunny songs and she can actually sing. Having been under whelmed by most of this years X Factor entrants (I hate all that Mariah Carey vocal gymnastics they all seem to do) Jess was a pleasant surprise.

She confirmed my earlier thoughts with a rendition of You’re Still The One and brought it up to date with KT Tunstall’s Black Horse and Cherry Tree - not a song I know, but I heard it again last week by the Love Spuds and their version was very different to hers. Jess has the makings of a strong recording artist, given the right opportunities she could become a local singing star and with a request for an encore tonight may well prove to be a very popular choice in the future.

Harri Watts Band have been a favourite of mine for four years or more and with much talk about new technical gizmos on our table we awaited the first number Sun Lady. And oh, just listen to that electric violin, all wired up so that it sounds manifold and more haunting than of old. I Don’t Blame You Baby, rhythmic and fun, tells suggestive stories with tri vocal harmonies to please and placate. Whereas Second Coming tackles much loftier subject matter in that it reveals the problems in our increasingly secular world, the loss of spirituality and faith; just simple faith.

Angel Eyes the one that’s sung in conversation every time you utter the name Harri Watts. A popular song amongst friends and admirers, tonight it has added colour and form by way of new toys and effects; just listen to that synth violin sound, saucy Harri Watts. A change of mood and the trio do a new song about the dangers of smoking. A weighty song, that was apparently written at the behest of exiting Deputy PM John Prescott in order to put across the serious message behind the smoking ban. It opens amidst a barrage of coughing and spluttering and moans of the deathly variety.

Ciggy Song is carried along with dark humour and describes the very real danger of death from smoking. Serious stuff indeed. Opinions were divided on this one.

Continued... Next Page (2/2)

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