| Reviews 2004 | ||
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Woodman Folk Club - Reviews |
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| Harvey Andrews | ||
| Pete Brown | 18 June 2004 | |
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The Woodman was packed, almost standing room only. From Harvey not only do you
get wonderfully expressive songs, you get a political commentary as well. I felt
he should be standing at the next election. The point is he is in touch with the
people the link that most of our politicians seem to have lost. This is what
folk singing is all about being close to the people and making political comment
in song. Harvey left us in no doubt that he was completely disillusioned with
the current crop of politicians of all parties. We heard particularly about
standards and values in the NHS. It was all embodied in that poignant song You
Knew We Were Coming about the Baby Boomers of the '50s and '60s not getting
what they were promised by successive governments for the last 40 years. Harvey
knows because he has seen it all and sung about it since the early days in
Digbeth at the Jug o' Punch in 1964. Driving In The Middle Lane is another song so true. We've all met the middle lane driver who effectively reduces a three-lane motorway to one lane. Margarita, Anon etc. all added to the magic. It was a truly outstanding night the audience would have kept him there for much longer had not Ian called a halt after the resounding encore. Harvey has a rare ability to write songs which are not only enjoyable
musically, but also contain brilliant lyrics. Read the lyric sheet, you'll
realise what a great writing gift he has. |