A SELECTION of well-chosen Christmas songs performed by some talented singers and musicians and some light-hearted comedy provided the entertainment at a festive Acoustic Lounge session.
Compered by Jules O’Brien and with piano playing provided by Colin Lambert, it was a slightly different acoustic outing – and with a couple of planned singers catching colds, there was something of a sense of battlefield promotion to the evening. But the professionalism of the singers and the range of the material and styles carried the evening.
With Sara Hilditch and Richard Beckett as solo performers and Sheena Wallinck Vultaggio accompanying herself on keyboard, the near capacity audience heard some interesting new interpretations of some classic Christmas numbers, as well as music by Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry and everyone’s favourite festive Welsh Elvis impersonator, Shakin’ Stevens.
Sara started the evening with an operatic reading of O Little Town, while Santa Baby had something of a far bluesier style.
She also sang Once Upon a December and delivered a spirited take on Katy Perry’s Cosy Little Christmas.
Sheena gave a sterling performance of In The Bleak Midwinter, Winter Song and Joni Mitchell’s River as she summed up the spirit of Christmas with a hushed delivery and the serenity of the piano playing.
The Acoustic Lounge’s usual compere Tom Roberts joined Jules for a duet of Baby It’s Cold Outside. Richard’s singing style was also more operatic, with a show-stealing reading of White Christmas and a spirited finale of Merry Christmas Everyone
The Acoustic Lounge sessions take place frequently at the Hub and always offer interesting entertainment.