No sleep in two days. Only one reasonable course of action is therefore available - several pints of Guinness and some live music. Now this will require a venue. Where shall I go? Aha! The Liquid Ship for another Free Candy Session. All boxes ticked. Making the valiant attempt to keep me from my slumbers tonight are Erin K Hill, Alexander Murray, Little Beard and Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers.
Something soothing first. Erin K Hill takes to the stage. Seemingly sweet and sentimental with a style reminiscent of early Nancy Griffith - disarmingly charming if you like - she starts her set. It turns out that she is actually from Virginia and that makes the Bluesbunny wonder just how far musicians will actually travel to appear at a Free Candy Session. Anyway, her slight voice gains power and depth as her confidence grows and by the time she gets to her last song, "Blissful", Bluesbunny, like much of the audience, is enchanted.
Next up is Alexander Murray. No stranger to the Bluesbunny, he is always an affecting singer showing a passion for his craft that transcends fame. What impresses most, however, is his song writing. There are all sorts of songs out there. Big ones, small ones, slow ones, fast ones but our Mr Murray writes big songs. Where they come from is something that probably only he knows but where they are going will hopefully be less of a surprise. "I Don't Want to Talk about it" just cries out for a full band and, as for "Rainy Day", well that is a song with a future.
Little Beard is next. Now he looks familiar. Through the fog of confusion caused by lack of sleep, a light now shines. Bluesbunny knows that face. Not only is he a musician but also a barman. Two disreputable professions in one man. Maybe it is the standing behind the bar thing for a living but his songs seem to have a common theme. Reflective and even a bit mournful, he nevertheless seems to cry out for peace and understanding notably in songs like "Alright with Me". He did look more than a bit nervous throughout but that is something that will easily be remedied by a few more gigs.
Last on is Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers. Now this is the full Woodenbox outfit with Ali Downer on vocals and guitar, Sam Evans on sax and the Nick Dudman on drums. Interestingly, the notes for this review included the words mellow and kickass. Actually quite accurate on reflection, this band does have that ethereal folksy quality to their sound but there is real rhythmic power underpinning it all. Songs like "Oban" and "Tomorrow Man" acquire a cheeky charm in the live environment too whilst the recorded versions seem altogether more serious. With quality songs, top class musicianship and a touch of that peculiarly British eccentricity, this band's music is truly to be savoured. Miss them at your peril.
Time for bed, Zebedee. For some reason, Woodenbox made me think of the Magic Roundabout. Or maybe it was the Guinness. Or maybe the lack of sleep. Maybe I'll listen to a couple of tracks from the Woodenbox album when I get home…