Guest : Tom Bliss

10 July 2009

Tom Bliss gave us a memorable evening with his accomplished musicianship (guitar; mandocello; woodwind; and concertina); strong bass-baritone singing; and humorous and informative stories and introductions. Many of his songs being self-penned.

Audience rapport was immediately established with everyone being invited to hum along like bees to his atmospheric “I’ll be taking my boat to Barhou” (the smallest of the Channel Islands) . Tom has a commanding stage presence , which is not surprising as his website reveals a background in independent TV programme production and providing motivational seminars for industry . Add that to his natural performing gifts and you have a formidable package .

He’s well connected too, having gleaned the gossip from one of the Montague aristocracy for the song “The Spirit of Ecstacy”, about the young lady secretary who was the inspiration for the famous silver statuette atop the Rolls Royce car radiator grille . Other highlights ,among many, were - “God Speed” based on the WW11 Dunkirk Evacuation episode (based on the famous “Snow Goose” story ; “Rue ,a plaintive traditional song accompanied on concertina, and a very funny prose poem comprised of funny sounding U.K.place-names strung together to form a story . “As I read out by me on Radio 4” , he proudly announced .

Apparently he aims to retire from full-time folk singing this year . With talent like this , he’s bound to resurface sooner or later. Let’s hope it’s sooner.

Review by : Brian Spencer