Sunday Sessions  @  The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, April 13th 2019

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. After waiting 43 years to see Todd Rundgren, I approached the Sunday Sessions knowing nothing and expecting less. It was delightful to be so richly rewarded.

 The Marine Theatre is the epicentre of the thriving arts scene in Lyme Regis, hosting everything from All About Eve live from the National Theatre through to forthcoming gigs from the Alabama 3 and Robyn Hitchcock. It is a lovely building, originally built for indoor sea bathing. The Sunday Sessions take place “post-lunch” on an irregular basis in the packed upstairs bar.

 This session featured Jack Harrison, Aidan Simpson, Don Dickinson and Matt Benjamin. Jack, Aidan and Dan all played acoustic guitars and sang; Matt played cello. For some reason Dan is also known as Son Of Richard. Despite a somewhat disorganized approach to who was playing what and with whom the original songs played were first rate and tightly arranged. I particularly liked Jack’s Do What You Like and Dan’s Memento Mori and The State We’re In.  The covers played will give you an idea of the sound – Please Mrs Henry, Corrina Corrina, Keep The Customer Satisfied and Hesitation Blues. I reckon they could do a great version of You Ain’t Going Nowhere.

All the vocals blended really well together with confident harmonies and occasional added light and shade from distant harmonica. Matt’s cello was key, combining with the acoustics to echo the quieter parts of Big Star Third (think Blue Moon and For You) and there is no higher praise.

 There is more info on these guys below. If the Basement Tapes or Rolling Thunder is your thing you will have a great time. 

https://www.facebook.com/JackHarrisonMusic/

https://www.facebook.com/aidansimpsonmusic/

https://sonofrichard.bandcamp.com