Saturday (Dec 14th) saw Andrew (Pipe) do his acoustic/solo debut, over at the almost appropriately named Nursery Inn, Hartlepool. Have to say, he carried it off with aplomb: not just my opinion, as well as the 50+ other people squeezed into the room, Andrew also got a big endorsement from the night's headliner, none other than Stevie Nimmo.
Andrew started off his set with a favourite cover that's a staple of The Mentulls' set, Redhouse, which immediately got the audience going and got rid of any jitters Andrew may have had, especially with the 1st microphone failing as he was getting set up. That's not to say he wasn't looking over his shoulder wondering why Jamie or Nick weren't coming in....With that under his belt, Andrew was off and running; while he may not have the strongest or gravelliest of voices, he was clear and confident and quite melodic, especially when he plundered his favourite's (Wishbone Ash) back catalogue and did a stunning Valediction. Not that the set was all covers, a couple of Mentulls' favourites were worked over; Motorway Of Madness, Time Flies and I Got The Blues. Andrew was well in his stride, only 2 instrumentals, including a very beautiful, pastoral Reflections On Water, and a cheeky round of "spot the riff".
I've long championed Andrew as "one to watch", and this was the "cherry on the top" to any show I've seen him do. I'll tip my hat to anyone that can walk out on a stage with just an acoustic, no pedals, no amps and carry off even a 30 minute set of this quality, no matter what size the audience; but to do it while your age still ends in "teen": nothing short of amazin'. certainly confirms Andrew as one of the "young lions", yet more than just "another shredder"; but hopefully he'll be keeping these sets as a rare treat; his palce is very much between Jamie & Nick, giving it large with The Mentulls.
When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...