From the moment this eight piece ensemble struck up, it was non-stop quality all the way. Only minutes into their set and they were bouncing up and down in a sort of folksy mosh. Driven on effortlessly by the subtle drumming of Pat Illingworth, the often funky/jazzy bass of Neil Fairclough and minimalistic guitar work of Jon Moore, e2K tore down the boundaries of world music tonight. The brilliant and powerfull vocals of the vivacious Kellie While took us on a magical 90 minute journey complimented by the musical interchanges of the melodeon of Simon Care, the saxophones of Andy Morel, the trumpet, flugelhorn, flutes and whistles of Neil Yates and unbelievable keyboards of Kwame Yeboah. If that wasn't enough, it seemed that if anyone had a spare hand at any time, they picked up a percussion instrument and rattled and shook their way through to their next solo. So as not to block vision, anyone not participating would crouch low or move to the side of the stage to let the audience admire the seemingly boundless skills of the other artists - another well thought out nice touch!
From well arranged traditional folk songs like 'The Water Is Wide' and 'The Farmers Cursed Wife' to e2K originals such as 'Love For A Season' and the absolutely superb, 'Itue, Stitue, Statue', there was something for everyone. There were many fantastic interchanges between keyboards, horns and whistles that brought about rapturous, appreciative responses from the audience throughout this enchanting set.
An encore of another e2K original 'Take Me Home' saw some more great individual work before the band members left the stage one by one until all that was left was the haunting drone of the lone melodeon perched on a lone chair.
To explain in writing just how good this band were tonight is difficult. Suffice to say that any genuine music lover needs to go and see e2K live and experience the moment. Do not let the words 'World Folk' put you off!! It is so much more than that. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!!
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