Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?

Subject: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Banjiman
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 02:45 PM

The video below was recorded at The Station Hotel Loftus last Sunday (March 16th). Wendy (Arrowsmith)has asked if anyone would fancy providing some feedback on her performance of this great traditional song?


The Blacksmith

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Banjiman
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 07:00 PM

....and an acknowledgment that the the arrangement is based on one shown to Wendy by Kim Guy (Kimsky on here). Thanks Kim.

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 05:34 PM

Only one word for now - stunning.
I'm minded to expand on that but maybe tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: banjoman
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 08:05 AM

Superb - wish she lived a bit closer so we could enjoy some more
Deserves to be on TV

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Banjiman
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:01 AM

Thanks guys....Wendy says that you are too kind!

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: GUEST,Jake Boyman
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 06:32 AM

When I'm reviewing I seldom use words like 'superb' and 'stunning' as these are very hard to quantify. Reviews are, largely, one person's opinion and it can be quite difficult to be objective.

Wendy gives a fine performance of The Blacksmith although I don't think Myspace TV does her justice. Her voice is in a 'sensible' register for such a song. Many female (and some male) folk singers do do not do enough 'homework' when it comes to pitching, thus leading to the stereotypical, squeaky-voiced warblers heard up and down the country. Ten out of ten Wendy.

It's also nice to hear a sensitive guitar accompaniment in a world of three chord strummers.

All in all I think Wendy Arrowsmith will build herself a nice little following at club level. In these days of folk 'superstars' (Kate Rusby, Show of Hands, Karine Polwart) it can often be difficult to break with 'floor-singer' tradition as the standards set by aforementioned folk gods is very high. Wendy has a chance of rising above the singaround circuit (not that there's anything wrong with that) and getting her music out there.

Jake Boyman (psyeudonym)

note. I have also seen Wendy live so my review is not based entirely on the video

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Mrs Banjiman
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 07:36 PM

Thank you Jake et al for your generous feedback.

The Loftus gig where the video was taken, was a good, relaxed venue with an attentive audience and that definitely helps boost the performance! So... thank you everyone that was at The Station Hotel, Loftus - to Tony Leonard who organised the Hiring Fair and to Ian Swinbourne who videoed it.

Wendy x

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 04:22 PM

Based entirely on the video..........a good floorsinger performance

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 04:19 AM

Thanks Guest, old git.

No need to hide behind a pseudonym if this is your honest opinion that's great. Just grateful you took the time to look and comment.

Wendy x

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: old git
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 07:36 AM

not hiding...most people on this forum know I'm Geoff Turner.
Didn't say I didn't like it..in some ways I prefer a good floorsinger to many so called "professionals"

geoff t

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 08:06 AM

Sorry old git (or can I call you Geoff?), got thrown by the guest bit!

Luckily for me there are a few venues and festivals (should do about 40 or so gigs this year) who seem to be prepared to book good floor singers. I'm actually pretty happy with this description, didn't do my first paid gig until February last year (when I was 40), though I've always sung.......so no illusions of ever being a "superstar"!

Just enjoy singing and writing songs really...and dare I say it performing as well.

Wendy x