Review: Corinne West At St John’s Farncombe – What a Treat!

Published on: 30 May, 2016
Updated on: 30 May, 2016

Corinne West is touring her new album Starlight Highway.

For those who thought of going to see Corinne West at St John’s Church in Farncombe and never got there, you missed a real treat.

We’re buzzing from the experience. Promoted by Julian Lewry, the church is intimate (meaning small), but packs a massive punch with some wonderful acts. You cannot beat live music.

We were quickly shown the power of Corrine’s voice. She is folksy, rock and ballad all rolled into one.

Accompanied by the talented multi-instrument musician Sam Lawrence, she has a lovely voice with an exciting quality and she sings her original music, covers and songs from her current album Starlight Highway with such passion.

Being live, you see the real artist, the mistakes, the improvisations and the complete wonder of fantastic musicians playing to an appreciative audience.

She is a real presence on stage and charmed her close audience at St John’s.

The audience clapped until they got their encore and the set was finished with the Celtic song Yew Tree. Apparently Corinne and Sam had not sung this together before, and so acapella, and Sam producing the background notes vocally sounding like a bagpipe drone, it was a tingling experience. I wish I could hear it again.

From the audience reaction and talking to Corinne after, I suspect that Yew Tree will be high on her list of music to record.

Corinne’s singing and guitar and Sam playing guitar, soprano banjo and electrical guitar (among other instruments) was a testament to their fantastic musicianship. It was sublime.

Bob Harris of BBC Radio has become a fan. He has said: “I love Corinne’s music and truly believe in her as an artist. She has spirit, integrity and talent. I am a massive fan.” I can see why.

The supporting act was a local girl (Woking) Rebecca Jayne. Rebecca writes and sings her own music.

She came with a beautiful voice and a repertoire to match. The one that stands out for me was her cover of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.

Her version gave me goose bumps. I was not expecting that from such a young performer, but Rebecca is talented, young and you can only wish her well in her future career. Look her up on her website.

Corinne West appeared at St John’s Church in Farncome for only one night. They get brilliant acts there – see the Julian Lewry Keeping Music Live website. Definitively, a venue to watch.

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