What a privilege it was, at the end of our recent heat wave, to join the capacity audience in St. Andrews, Grinton to enjoy the wonderful sounds of two rising stars – performing both separately and complementing each other as well. Multi-instrumentalist and singer Eleanor Grant is still a mere 26, yet has completed her course at the Royal Academy of Music (studying Double Bass, on which she accompanies herself frequently throughout the concert), has composed many songs, released albums, performed at numerous festivals such as this and she tells us (she has a most charming repartee with both the audience and her fellow performers) has sung with orchestras for those ‘live’ performances of big movies (including Avatar) at the Royal Albert Hall and around Europe and Asia!
The first half featured Eleanor and her band – Charlie Morton on guitar and James Nall on drums – in renditions of Jodi Mitchell songs (a big influence on her) and many of her own compositions including a spirited Country and Western number which included some tricky Chet Atkins-esque guitar riffs. ‘Inside me’ was particularly wistful and is currently available to download, and the quirky ‘Heavy thinker’ was dedicated to her boyfriend (none other than James the drummer!). Both guitar and drums accompanied sympathetically throughout in the various genres presented and swapped instruments frequently – and Eleanor accompanied herself on the keyboard in one number. We were even introduced to Eleanor’s bass (‘Flo’ – a fine late 19th Century example!) Credit to Frazer Wilson, the new Artistic Director of the festival who has encouraged Eleanor (and several other artistes this year) to engage in multiple performances throughout the festival – unaccompanied singing to accompany a ramble, a reimagining of the Four Seasons with poetry, a duo gig with Gus McQuade etc. in addition to hosting her own evening feature.
The second half saw Toby Pearson take to the stage and perform several of his own compositions which showcased both his guitar wizardry and vocal talents. I have had the pleasure of performing alongside Toby on several occasions and his attention to musical detail is never less than precise – which I witnessed first hand during the same afternoon when the two performers were ‘throwing together’ some combined numbers! Suffice to say the audience were blissfully unaware of the hasty rehearsal as these four consummate professionals combined forces in their musical journey. ‘No consequence’, one of Toby’s originals was particularly outstanding, bolstered by the extra guitar, bass and drums.
Both Ellie and Toby performed songs with meaningful and heartfelt lyrics, paired with clever harmonies reflecting both jazz and Broadway in addition to ‘pop’ stylings – in other words something for everyone. There was rapturous applause for every item and it was particularly nice to be able to chat with Ellie in the interval as she mingled with the crowds! It was announced that there would be no ‘encore’ as such, but after the most plaintive and touching duet version of the perennial ‘Swaledale, Beautiful Dale’ by Eleanor and Toby, no-one was complaining.
I would encourage anyone to catch either or both performers if they can – you are guaranteed an evening of unforgettable music from two performers who are clearly going places.
John Hunter
