PHILLIP HENRY & HANNAH MARTIN PLUS TOM FITTON at the Garage, Uplands, Swansea Wednesday 26th March 2014

By Gareth Cornfield

The Garage Folk club is bringing in some great acts. I have seen John Renbourn & Wizz Jones there, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick and now Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin. 
They also provide an opportunity for local musicians to perform support. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the stage with luminaries & legends. The band The Empty Shed Experience supported Carthy & Swarbs and Tom Fitton supported Phillip & Hannah.

Tom took the incredibly brave step of opening his set with a unaccompanied song, the Jake Thackary number “Old Molly Metcalf”. He also played guitar and Mandola. Performing mainly his own compositions, Tom delighted the audience.

Tom Fitton, photo from his Facebook page

Tom can be seen at many folk clubs around the county. His profile is on the increase and he has just released an EP, “A Quick Live One #1”. Look out for it, or contact him via his facebook page, Tom Fitton Music, https://www.facebook.com/tomfittonmusic.

Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin were winners of the Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards and it was well deserved. Getting them to The Garage in Swansea is a real coup for Carol & Richie, I take my hat off to them. 
Phillip & Hannah play a variety of instruments with great skill &, more importantly, feel for the needs of the song. Never is the song lost behind the playing. 
For those of who like to enumerate these things, they play: 
Phillip Henry- Dobro guitar x2; 6 string guitar; many harmonicas. 
Hannah Martin – Violin; Viola;Tenor guitar: 5 string banjo. 
http://www.philliphenryandhannahmartin.co.uk

photo courtesy of their website
Phillip is a harmonica virtuoso. Even modifying one to make it into a minor key! He also played whilst singing & beatboxing! How he hasn’t hit himself in the face whilst doing this is amazing. He changes harmonica seamlessly during songs to accommodate a key change. All in all, a lesson to any harmonica player about the versatility of such a seemingly simple instrument. Check him out on You Tube. He also plays dobro resonator guitar. The correct way – long strap, guitar flat with a slide bar. Again showing an ability to play brilliantly, but always serving the song. 
Hannah too showed her musical ability, playing clawhammer banjo and fiddle mainly. Moving to Viols and Tenor guitar as needed. 
Their voices, which are quite different, blend well to get the most out of every lyric. Their performance is relaxed and confident. They interact well with each other and with the, very appreciative, audience. 
Last year, they released an album, Mynd, to great acclaim. They are definitely on the rise and I would recommend seeing them when you get the chance.