Winter Wilson - Atkinson, Southport, 26/1/2018

  by Steve Kinrade

published: 9 / 2 / 2018

intro

Steve Kinrade watches acoustic folk duo Winter Wilson play an enthralling set in support of Fairport Convention to promote their latest album 'Far Off on the Horizon'.

It would be understandable to be a tad nervous to be supporting bona fide music legends Fairport Convention, but, if they were nervous, Winter Wilson showed no visible signs. After being introduced by Fairporter Ric Sanders, the duo of Kip Winter and Dave Wilson strolled on stage to an already sizeable audience. Even at first glance, Winter Wilson catch the eye; Dave cuts a kindly uncle figure, while Kit does a very good impression of your favourite auntie having just come back from a glamping trip at a hip musical festival. But then they start to sing and play, and their music is just wonderful and captivating. They approach this short six song set with aplomb and panache, with three songs coming from their latest album 'Far Off on the Horizon'. Indeed it is this titular song that starts their set, a beautiful composition which you could imagine Bruce Springsteen singing in a more contemplative mood. It is also an introduction to how Kip and Dave harmonise so well together. Instrumentally stripped down from the album version, it still delivers an emotional impact. Quickly followed by the excellent 'Merciful Father' and 'I’d Rather Be Ashes than Dust', a homage to writer Jack London, Winter Wilson returned to their latest album with 'Tried and Tested' and 'Ghost'. The former song highlighted the acoustic guitar skills of Wilson, and the top-notch bluesy voice of Winter. 'Ghost' is a beautiful song, which echoes so much of what you would think of musical “folk” traditions, but with a contemporary, zeitgeist hugging lyric. The line “from a girl to a ghost in eighteen years” is haunting and will stay with you, and urges one to consider current Government social policy. Winter Wilson leave us with the uptempo 'Still Life in the Old Dog Yet' from their 2012 Cutting Free album, ably backed by the night’s headlining act. Giving the general demographic of the audience, this was nothing short to a call to arms for those feeling down-trodden, uncertain and over-looked in these post-Brexit times. Age cannot wither, only if you aren’t complicit.

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