Nick Whitfield/Dawson Smith/Gaz Birtles

NICK WHITFIELD/DAWSON SMITH/GAZ BIRTLES

Black Horse 19th January 2025

Spent a truly wonderful afternoon in the BLACK HORSE being wonderfully entertained by Gaz Birtles, Dawson Smith and Nick Whitfield with a collection of mainly solo mainly acoustic music.

The pub was full and the atmosphere so warm and friendly, the feeling very much of a bunch of friends playing a bunch of songs for a bunch of friends...

First up was Gaz, I had heard him sing a few numbers before but never heard him play a set, accompanied by an acoustic guitarist. Hadn't realised what a fine voice he has, and anyone who dips into the songbooks of Rufus Wainwright and Jonathon Richman gets my vote anyway! A really great relaxed performance which also included a song by the Beautiful South and a Gaz Birtles original... Really lovely set to start the afternoon.

After Gaz, Dawson was up, solo and armed with an acoustic guitar and a bunch of fine songs... His performance was outstanding... We had a couple of Steve Earle songs - i always think Dawson and Steve Earle are a great match - as well as a Justin Townes Earle and a couple of his own fine songs. Hugely enjoyable slice of Americana which was thoroughly loved by the whole room.

Sadly i didnt catch the name of the guitarist with Gaz or the Mandolin player who accompanied Dawson on a few numbers... but suffice to say they both played beautifully and fully contributed to the sets.

Last up was Nick... first time I'd seen Nick solo, and playing acoustic... though he switched to electric after a few numbers... This was however a typical Drugstore Cowboy set with Nick covering the usual eclectic mix of great songs, including pieces by the Beatles Johnny Cash and Steve Earle ... several familiar from the band performances and others new to me... but Nick was his usual ebullient self, playing and singing superbly and enjoying himself as much as the audience were...

During the set Nick introduced Christine on bass to play a selection from the "Can Your Pussy do the Cramps" set before continuing solo running through more apparently random songs which were all delivered as ever with style and energy...

We thought the end came with a spot of rock'n'roill in the shape of "Summertime Blues", "Bank Robber" and "I Fought the Law".

Inevitable Nick returned for an encore... which became at least 5 more songs including "Ring of Fire" before he remembered he hadn't sung any of his own songs and put that record straight, before playing "Paint it Black" a Tammy Wynette parody with "Stand by Your Cat" ending as ever with "Champion the... Wonderhorse"

A really great afternoon with three outstanding performers each delivering a hugely enjoyable performance...

A really great afternoon... a definite 5-1/2/ star afternoon!!

Keep music life... keep music real... support your local venues

PS - guitarist with Gaz was Rob Bourgault and Mandolin with Dawson was Gareth Jones THERE ARE NO PHOTOS FROM THIS GIG