Ridge Banks Wall of Sound

RIDGE BANKS & THE WALL OF SOUND

Clarendon Congregational Church 20th August 2025

Nobody believed me when i said on Wednesday that i was going to church... but indeed i visited the Clarendon Park Congregational Church. i've seen it so often seen it but never been in... and it is a beautiful building, like a tardis far bigger than you'd imagine from outside!!...

The reason for the visit was an acoustic show by the superb Ridge Banks and the Wall of Sound... Since their first performance at Heather a few weeks ago the band have continued to grow and develop, and tonights acoustic show was a true delight...

The focus of the band is Ridge Banks from Nashville... a hugely talented songwriter, singer and guitar picker who leads the band on vocals and acoustic guitar... singing with a smile, real warmth and a really great voice.

The band tonight was slimmed down to an acoustic quartet with Nick Plews, a fine musician who is a truly great maestro of the shaking spheres, as well as delivering perfect bass. Drummer Mark Haynes was playing a hugely stripped down drum kit but his high quality playing was both stylish and in keeping with the overall sound.

The quartet is completed by Sean Clutterham on harp... and tonight his playing was a total revelation... higher in the mix than i've ever heard him in any context and the quality of his playing shone through beautifully.

For the last couple of songs the band were augmented by West End leading lady Niki Colwell Evans... and my oh my has this lady got a voice... powerful, pure... simply outstanding... a voice of absolute quality that simply pins you to your seat in admiration and sends shivers down your spine... sensational!!

The set was basically the same set as other gigs on this tour, and I am loving "Beautiful Mistake" "A day Away too Long" (Apologies if i have this title wrong) "Hero" and "One Note" (which hits a lot of notes for me).

The band play authentic Nashville country music based on great songs and quality musicianship... and a lot of fun and good vibes in the band which envelopes the audience...

Absolutely lovely evening in the presence of a really high quality band... look them up and check them out as soon as you can!

Huge thanks to the band for a lovely evening, and special thanks to the Minister put putting the event on and his courtesy and friendship throughout

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