Friday 28th November 08 - Flossie Malavialle and Dave Dave & Zoe Bottomley at Moonbeams, The Bell Hotel, Driffield By Steve Rudd

For the final Moonbeams of 2008, Leila Slater - the organizer and promoter of the Acoustic nights - had pulled out all the stops to ensure it was an unforgettable night of superb music. First up, a local lad called Jeremy wowed the crowd with two delicately finger-picked numbers which were both rapturously received. Having previously performed at this summer's Kelk-Fest, it was Jeremy's debut appearance at The Bell Hotel, but one that will hopefully inspire Leila to invite him back for future sets.

Dave and Zoe Bottomley, a father and daughter duo from Barnsley, are certainly no strangers to the Moonbeams stage.

As always, they delivered a magical mixture of modern and traditional Folk songs. Their impassioned covers of Tom Waits' Georgia Lee and Leonard Cohen's haunting Hallalejah proved to be two of the most moving songs they performed, with Dave's masterly command of the guitar providing the perfect accompaniment to Zoe's beautiful voice.

The main act for the evening was French-born singer-songwriter Flossie Malavialle. A teacher by day and singer by night, she came over to Darlington six years ago as part of a teacher exchange programme. It was up north that she became acquainted with the UK's Folk Club scene - and she's never looked back, having decided to stay here. What's more, she's released a staggering six albums in the past six years. 'It's been one of those weeks,' she sniggered by way of introduction as she took to the stage, evidently glad to out of the classroom for the weekend.

Still, despite a stressful week of teaching, followed by the long drive down from the North-East in poor weather, she was in high spirits, unleashing as much side-splitting banter between songs as the people in the crowd could take before doing themselves an injury through laughing too much.

Flossie rightfully dominated the stage like a true international star; a born entertainer. As well as singing in English and French, she even resorted to crooning in Spanish at one point. Opening with her refined interpretation of the old Eagles classic Peaceful Easy Feeling, a deafening round of applause followed every single song, not least when she managed to get her tongue around the likes of Ta Katie t'a Quitte. Her fiercely passionate rendition of Kris Kristofferson's Me and Bobby McGee almost brought the venue down.

It also provided Flossie with the perfect opportunity to do her best Janis Joplin impression. She later went on to wring out every last vestige of emotion in a cover of Edith Piaf's Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, proving that music genuinely is a universal language.

The devastating power and glory of her performance had to be applauded, and as loudly as possible. In truth, it was the perfect climax to what had been an extraordinary year of Acoustic nights down at The Bell Hotel.

Fortunately, the Moonbeams ship is due to sail on into 2009, with the first Acoustic night of the New Year being on 13 February 2009. Due to be headlined by Phil Beer, it is to take place in Sledmere Village Hall. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/moonbeamsacoustic

Music Reviews - Saturday 29th November 08 - Scouting for Girls at Bridlington Spa By Caitlin Middleton
	There's a cinematic countdown and blinding strobe lights as Roy and co. take to the stage assuming god-like status to the sea of screaming teenyboppers. After two long hours, a somewhat confused Sam Beeton and relatively generic The Days and Scouting for Girls are finally on stage warbling on about being James Bond. Read more...

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	Last night Dave Abbot of DVA Studios held his second showcase of artists he has been working with supporting and recording in his home studio. Dave set up DVA in order to support new musicians give them access to a studio do early demo recordings in order to give them something solid to market themselves with. Look out for a DVA Sampler CD from DVA Studios featuring some of the musicians from tonight's showcase event. Read more...

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Music Reviews - Thursday 7th August 08 - Glen Williams and the Ullbillies at The Square Spring Bank Hull By Michelle Dee
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Music Reviews - Friday 25th July 08 - Chris Helme and Andy Gaines at Helmsley Arts Centre By Steve Rudd
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Music Reviews - Wednesday 20th August 08 - Tegleg Records Sponic Mesh Two CD Launch By Michelle Dee
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Music Reviews - Saturday 19th July 08 - Party in the Park at North End Park, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	Fast-rising sextet Divine Sinn have already managed to amass a loyal fanbase in the past six months since their debut gig at The Winston Churchill. They are now on the verge of releasing their second highly-anticipated album, The Seven Deadly Sinns, proving just how determined they are as an outfit to make a name for themselves. Kicking up a storm in the wake of Parkmoor Read more...

Music Reviews - The Who 'Live at Hull'- Monday 16th February 1970 By Malcolm Holt
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Music Reviews - Saturday 12th July 08 - Moonbeams Summer Gathering at Little Kelk By Steve Rudd
	Who would have thought that a star-studded music festival in a tiny Wolds village could rival the exhilarating splendour of festivals of Glastonbury's ilk? Very few, I'm sure. But then how many people would really believe that an annual music festival of any sort has taken place in Little Kelk for the past four years? Even fewer, I'm positive. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 15th July 08 - Chris Helme at Hull Lamp By Steve Rudd
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Music Reviews - Friday 20th June 08 - Oli Brown Band at The London Bar, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	Whoever came up with the idea of putting a band on at The London Bar deserves a pat on the back. It was certainly inspired. Moreover, whoever decided to allow Oli Brown and his band to play deserves to be bought free drinks for an entire evening. Indeed, Oli Brown & Band put on an incredible show in what has to be Driffield's narrowest pub. Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 26th March 08 - Awash With AntleR At Adelphi By Michelle Dee Photographs by Ian Rook Photography
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Music Reviews - Friday 16th May 08 - Moonbeams Acoustic Evening at The Old Town Hall, Driffield By Steve Rudd
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Music Reviews - 14th March 07 Moonbeams Acoustic Night At The Old Town Hall By Steve Rudd
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Music Reviews - Friday 29th February 08 - ThisisUll Live Featuring Spoken Word, The Rocky Nest and Hayokee Words and Pictures by Michelle Dee
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