This throwback to January 2009 looks at another of the Free Range Music series of shows including a selection of acoustic artists and an early outing for The Coalbox Generals…

Over the past few months the Free Range Music brand, spear-headed by tonight’s headliner Jamie-Lee, has welcomed styles of music crossing all genres to its nights at The Fermain Tavern, tonight was no exception, but did feature something a bit different in that it was all almost totally acoustic.

First on stage were the first of the night’s three recently formed duos, The Coalbox Generals. Comprised of General Shack and General Burg (or Tinshack and Lynchburg of The John Wesley Stone) they took the stripped down ‘cowpunk’ of the JWS and stripped it further to just an acoustic and lap steel guitar.

With a basic country sound like no other band on the island it was a treat to see this kind of music being played, and played well.

Though I missed the first half of the set the highlight for me was closer They Burn Angels, Don’t They, which really demonstrated how two men in Guernsey can evoke the sounds of men like Johnny Cash while still maintaining something of their own in the music.

Second on stage were two more familiar faces in a different combination, Jamie Ellington and Charlie ‘Cheese’ Holmes.

Armed with an acoustic guitar each they played relaxed acoustic rock featuring covers of bands such as Incubus and, the set’s highlight, a run through of Sublime’s Santeria.

With Jamie getting to show a different side of his voice than with emo-rockers FireFly and Cheese showing off his skill with the guitar more than his previous outings a metal bassist allowed, the duo’s music was simple but effective and it would be good to see them perform more often.

The evening’s third duo featured another couple of familiar faces in Lucy Hill and Claire Mockett of No Paparazzi, but here Claire was freed from being hidden behind her drum kit to take on acoustic guitar duties.

Before the set Claire told me that she was nervous about tonight’s performance as she had only played guitar in public a few times, but, it transpired that nerves weren’t necessary as she provided some excellent accompaniment to Lucy’s voice.

Though No Paparazzi are a great covers band, and Lucy sounds good with them, tonight’s stripped back acoustic style really allowed her voice to come to the fore and that it did with great success.

Playing more pop/rock covers Lucy and Claire kept the relaxed atmosphere of the night up while demonstrating their joint talents very well.

Finally on stage was event instigator Jamie-Lee. Though I have seen Jamie play on several occasions now his unique guitar playing remains fascinating and his music seems to get more varied with every show.

While all he does on stage is sit and play his music this is enough to grab the attention and keep it for extended periods and with encores demanded I clearly wasn’t the only person who thought so tonight.