SAILOR SWIFT/PETE KENNEY/SHEILA MOSELY
IMV 6th
May 2026Last Wednesday, May 6th, THE The International Music Venue hosted on of the truly great shows... and was raising money for the PAPYRUS Charity... and first up was Sheila Mosley.
Great to see Sheila back on stage after an enforced absence though not yet having recovered her full vocal range she kept it short, playing just three songs... but created a real impact in the time.
She has a kovely voice and is a great singer, maybe in the Baez mold of folk music.. the first two songes were typical of a full Sheila set but for her final song she needed to keep in the lower regiisters, and sang "Wandering Star" (Lee Marvin/Painjt Your Wagon)... i hadnt thought of the song for years, but was amazed how much of it I remembered... and yes, Sheila delivered a rather lovely version of what is a really great song... great to see her back on stage and delivering in her usual high quality way
Following this was a speech by Pete Kenney's wife, with Pete in attendance, highlighting the work of the charity and speaking of their son so tragically lost.
Pete then delivered a simply beautiful set , he may be low key and quiet as a performer, but his songs are superb and his delivery beautiful. In the midst of the set he sang the beautiful "If you go away" (aka ne me quitte pas by Jacques Brel). A wonderful interpreation of a great song, more poignant in the context of the show... superb set
Headling was the irrepressible magnificent Sailor Swift (aka Pete Morton) who delivered over 90 minutes of the highest quality entrainment. From the moment Sailor Swift hit the stage already singing, the audience bought into it as one joining in on every chorus and song... laughing at all the jokes and loving every second.
Sailor Swift is the Ghost of a Sailor shipwrecked in the 1600's and haunting a pub ever since... during wehich time he meets a host of people, delivers a host of relevant song choruses related to the character, or progressing the unlikely tale he was telling at the time, as well as includsing snatches of the 'No1'' from various years. The show has you in gales of laughter throughout, but leaving enough breath to sing along with whichever seemingly random song he started... and the songs included items from most of the last 60 years, music hall, traditional songs... to many to mention but including the likes of 'Tipperary" 'Sweet Caroline" "We'll meet Again" "My Old Man" the "Wild Rover" and countless others...
Although the show is genuinely heartwarming and hilarioous, he makes a lot of strong political and emotional points, and a fair amount of satire (as you would expect in a singer/songeriter set by Pete Morton).
Highlights, for me inluced a bit about the slave trade culminating in a powerful version of '"Amazing Grace" to close the first half
He alo introduced a patriotic yokshirement (himself) to deliver a version of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights" in a broad Yorkshire dialect by gum.
Outstanding was his version of 'Nessun Dorma" accompanied by the Unconventional Leg Movement ensemble performing as he sang... i was sufficiently amazed that he could produce such intricately bizarre leg movements while singing Opera, but also demonstrating what a fine singer he actually is.
At the end, the audience was baying for more, and calling for George Formby... duly he spoke of George Formby's visit to the pub, and ended with Georges own version of "Bohemian Rhapsody"
The Sailor Swift show is like something you haven't seen before... hilarious, a totally interactive experience, somewhat political and emotional at times and totally wonderful from start to finish... i doubt you will ever see a more entertainig and enjoyable show.
Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues
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