The word Conservatoire tends to summon up images of restrained string quartets. Which is long way from the enrgy, enthusiasm and mass joy that appeared on stage.
This ensemble, from the Birmingham Conservatoire, have been going for over a quarter of a century, with an ever changing line up, other than founder and leader, Joe Broughton. Broughton is an exceptional fiddler, musiecina, teacher, who has also gained fame in other line ups, notably the Urban Folk Quartet. He's joined by students from his courses, with well over thirty packed on to the stafge for this gig.
So many instruments it would be impossible to list them all, not least nbecause iot was often hard to see who was at the back. We were well into the second half before I realised there was an electric guitar! But there were five percussionists, large wind, brass and string sections, an accordion, and more. Mostly they played as the full ensemble, but at times the stage thinned out and we had a couple of solo performances, a duet, and a quintet. The mateial was eclectic - tradional tunes and song from England and Ieland, a sea shanty, spirituals, self penned numbers. Some excellent vocalists. And while the inspriation was folky, there were clwearly rock, jazz, blues influences thrown in.
It looked shambolic at times. It wasn't. This was well rehearsed, yet with considerable fluidity to the arrangements, and audience participation was often encouraged, even demanded (!). Above all it never ceased to be entertaining, and Broughton is a perfect front man. He will never steal the limelight from his proteges, but brings wit and interest into his linking introductions. The man is a top class musician, entertainer and, on this evidence, educator.
If you get the opportunity to see them then grab it. Nobody leaves the room without a smile on their face.
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