Jim Ghedi and Toby Hay - Old House Museum, Bakewell, 14/10/2018

  by Keith How

published: 27 / 11 / 2018

intro

Keith How watches Jim Ghedi and Toby Hay bring their new instrumental album to Bakewell’s Old House Museum for a Sunday afternoon session.

A rainy afternoon welcomed Jim Ghedi and Toby Hay to the tudor house Old House Museum in Bakewell on the latest leg of a mammoth tour to promote their new record 'The Hawksworth Grove Sessions'. The 16th century room with wattled walls, ancient oak beams and furniture was the perfect setting. Autumn light bled in through leaded windows and low lighting added to the atmosphere. With minimum fuss these two talented guitarists treated us to an unforgettable afternoon. Their new album of guitar duets provided the majority of their set. Heads bowed over their guitars, the interplay between them was a delight to experience. An occasional glance to each other with a smile or a nod was infectious. Each composition seemed effortlessly intricate with guitar solos, flowing like mountain streams, full of light and vigour. The in-between song banter was just lovely - two friends having a great time. 'The Earl of Errol' echoed joyfully around the old house, while the lyrical 'Marcher Lords', a lovely meditative piece, was met with gasps of appreciation as such was its beauty. Toby treated us to a spectacular 'Starlings', with Jim accompanying on harmonium, from his 'Longest Day' album and when he wrestled with a microphone he commented, “We’re very polished as you can see.” Jim was encouraged to sing his moving 'Phoenix Works', a tale of closing factories in North East Derbyshire . 'The Hawksworth Grove Sessions' is an album of contemporary guitar instrumentals. Full of virtuosity and inventiveness, the two guitarists flow together to provide ten tracks of Celtic-infused lyricism. The interplay is remarkable, notes shimmer and sparkle like raindrops in sunlight, and the listener cannot fail to be impressed by the unpretentious beauty recorded here. The live concert was a lovely, heartwarming experience and I left clutching a vinyl copy to warm the cockles of my heart and hearth as winter approaches

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