Mr.Petrie (Photo: Garry Walker, RFC)
Ian Petrie is a name I’d been hearing on and off for some time; but I’d never seen him live so it was high time I put that right. So when I heard that this Kent-based singer / song-writer was to play my local Folk club, I of course went along. Ian has been around for a while, having been a member of several bands such as Dolphin Smile, Skinners Rats and his own outfit The Big Ian Petrie Band. On this occasion though, he was to play a two-part solo set.
But first, Ian’s set was preceded by the usual Open Floor spots. Best of the bunch this week were father and daughter duo Steve and Hannah O’Driscoll; and newcomer Liam who played a great cover of Knopfler’s ‘Romeo And Juliet’. And of course, a great variety of styles and abilities were represented by all who took part. I played Coverdale’s ‘Don’t Fade Away’.
Ian got through the gamut of his repertoire – songs which were funny, clever, and/or thoughtful; and at all times highly entertaining, such as: ‘Face Book Rant’; ‘Go For It’; and ‘Sixty Years’. He spoke a little about each of his songs beforehand – which is something I like to hear. He stated that you can write a song about anything; then treated us to his amusing song that is about nothing at all: ‘Nobody’.
At one point he pulled out an Omnichord and played a singular and excellent cover of Dylan’s / Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’. And at half time, he spoke to some of us about it and I had a play with it. A really interesting instrument that I’ve not encountered before.
I had a chat with Ian after the gig and he gave me his band’s two albums (I Wish That I Could Fly; and Along The B2000!) and his two solo EPs: Sketchbook; and Sketchbook 2). If you like clever and funny songs, I’d recommend getting along to one of Ian’s gigs if you can. An enjoyable evening was had by all. PTMQ
