Sunday 26th September 07 - Acoustic Gathering II at Peasholm Park, Scarborough By David Wright Photographs By Danielle Millea from efestivals

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Peasholm Park looks beautiful tonight. Headliner Chris Helme is singing a gentle song called Pure, his fragile voice floats above flickering candles, up to the recently rebuilt oriental Pagoda. Blinded By The Sun, a song he wrote for his former band The Seahorses sounds refreshing, stripped down to just guitar and voice. A.G. 2 began perfectly at midday, with 15 year old Alastair Schmuck; his version of Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out made perfect Sunday afternoon listening. Deep vocals and agile finger work from Phil Latham sounded divine, while Whitby's Alex Kirby playing is infectious and entertaining. The sun's shining for cello and guitar duo The Producers, their tender songs move effortlessly as dragon boats glide past the stage.

Comperes, Graham Rhodes and Mr Jim introduce The Pieces; a superb local duo, Jon Neaves and Ed Preston win over the crowd with inspiring close harmonies, competent musicianship and fantastic songs. A little older are Adams & Greaves, whose voices gel softly together on John Martyn's May You Never; it's a heart warming sound and the congregation of pigeons fluttering above the water stage are enjoying it too.

Amaya Huntley sings like an angel on her own Sunny Afternoon. Captain Ant's visuals take effect on screens behind the stage, but grey clouds gather as Carl Woodford takes to the stage, opening with The Love Laughter And Money Show. Woodford's vocals sound strong during Bridge Song and the rain holds off until the appearance of opera singer Vicky Wright; accompanied ably by pianist David Pearson, poignant versions of He Was Beautiful and I Dreamed A Dream warm the spirits of the drenched audience.

From Birmingham, Vijay Kishore has an extraordinary voice which could silence a football crowd, while Hayley Hutchinson's vocals are as radiant as the rainbow which appears for fellow headliner Tasmin Archer. 'I feel a little nervous,' smiles Archer, but the audience doesn't mind, and sing along to her number one Sleeping Satellites. Equally as soulful is Jess Gardham from York, with a voice reminiscent of Tracey Chapman during a touching song called Patience.

Tom Hingley counts us down to Saturn 5, one of the best songs he ever sang with The Inspiral Carpets and the crowd is taken on a further nostalgic trip with the Carpet's Dragging Me Down and a stirring version of Ben E King's Stand By Me. Summer may nearly be over, but AG 2 once again showcased our area's local talent and was, thankfully, well supported. Thanks to all the performers, volunteers, the brilliant sound crew, stage hands and last but by no means least, event organiser Steve 'Whiskey' Dickinson. Roll on next year!

Photographs courtsey and Copyright ©  Danielle Millea from efestivals 2007

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