A cracking concert

Spiers and Boden, Exeter Phoenix, Sunday 8th November

By Martin Hodge

I have great admiration for musicians who multi-task and experiencing John Boden singing whilst playing a mean fiddle (quite a feat in itself) was impressive. But seeing and hearing him tap his feet too to provide percussion on a sound box was quite inspiring. He also plays guitar  - though not at the same time as the fiddle.

Jon Spiers in turn is pretty animated as he gets some amazing sounds out of a variety of squeezeboxes – one at a time. Such musicianship. Lively, spirited, high energy dance music and songs with beautiful arrangements and a pounding rhythm.

As soon as Spiers and Boden stepped out onto the stage, they seemed to have the audience in their clutches. And their witty patter and joviality maintained the warm contact with us. In fact, the audience was great too, turning a Sunday evening sit down concert into a feisty party with individuals yelling out requests and encouraging comments throughout.

Much of the music the duo play is traditional and if you think that means dull, well, think again because Spiers and Boden can turn even the most hackneyed folk song or tune into a very modern sounding, refreshing and dynamic performance.

Not that their songs generally were hackneyed – they obviously do a great deal of research which sounds as though it might include rummaging through books and papers in junk shops as well as studying old collections of folk music by traditional musicians throughout Britain (occasionally beyond).

I get the impression that they live for their music but also have a groovy time along the way. They contribute their own fine compositions too and tonight included a droll, sing-along Tom Waites piece – all done in their inimitable style.

I was thinking during the concert that one friend of mine with a bit of an old-fashioned though well-meant turn of phrase might call the concert ‘very jolly’. Lynn who sat next to me said it was ‘cracking” – which was just right.

Jon Spiers and John Boden cracked on with their dynamic music right to the second encore, leaving us shouting, clapping and stamping for more.