What is the earliest date for a 'Christmas' show? To be fair, this 1st of December gathering was generally low key on the festive front leaving space for things to gather pace as the month bounds towards the 'big day'. A quick trawl through the archives revealed a much deeper into December gig for Chris Cleverley when he teamed up with Kelly Oliver to play a duo show at the Kitchen Garden in 2017. The abiding memory from that night was signing off with 'Wombling Merry Christmas'. Now that's a festive banger deserving more airing. Seven years on from that appearance, the evolution was marked by growing the stage presence from two to six and doubling the audience. The second room in the Hare and Hounds was packed to its near capacity for a full band show and the formal launch of a new seasonal EP. In the Shadow of John the Divine is available to the wider public on December 6th, but the good folks of Kings Heath had live versions and album copies on offer for what proved to be a highly successful homecoming.
The Chris Cleverley Trio is the next step up from the solo performer. Kathy Pilkington and Kim Lowings provide instrumental and vocal pillars to the combo and were the likely first picks to bring their esteemed musicianship and voice prowess to the festive party. The real rabbit out the hat was persuading long term friend and in-demand folk musician Sam Kelly to offer his guitar skills and arranging nous to an all round accomplished evening. Completing the line up was renowned solo performer Minnie Birch and guest clarinet player Katie Stevens, who is best known for her role in Birmingham band Bonfire Radicals.
The evening began with a short set from Kathy Pilkington and Minnie Birch who have formed a new duo playing under the name Awake Mother. Some gorgeous vocals and gently spun songs ideally set the scene for the main fare which saw the pair return for slightly different roles.
Over a performing career now into its second decade, Chris Cleverley has cultivated his own style. Low fi with a hint of mischief binding together a wealth of strongly executed songs, which evoke alternative moods and inspired innovation. While the set this evening was primarily the base for half a dozen new songs, a few snippets from the back catalogue filled the stocking. These included 'Rachael' from a 2019 album and 'But Thinking Makes It So', which formed part of the Shakespeare song project - The Company of Players.
However the most purposeful moments came from the new songs. To be more accurate 'The Ringing of Bells' is a rework of a co-write several years ago with the aforementioned Kelly Oliver though sounding fresh and revitalised. Another twist on the term 'new' is a cover of Sufjan Stevens' 'Sister Winter', maybe accurate with the Chris Clevereley adaption and to anybody previously unaware of it. No such variation on 'fresh out the wrapper' songs like 'Vespers' based on the EPs title referring to a cathedral in Manhattan, the sensitive 'For a Winter Angel' with an unmistakeable blending of 'The First Noel' and the poignantly philosophical 'Snowfall, My Evergreen'. You'll never a see a snowman in the same light again.
The beautiful pin drop moment on the night was a merging of three voices into an unaccompanied rendition of 'The Coventry Carol'. Kathy's and Kim's parts were utterly divine. Kim also accepted the invite to share a festive tune of her own in 'You are Always Welcome Here'. The magic of discovering her talent on the local Stourbridge scene over ten years ago never wanes on the brief occasions you get to hear her live these days. Consistently, the gilt-edged musicianship of Sam Kelly added a dynamic to raise the quality to another level.
So no Wombles, but plenty of other delights to launch a lengthy month of festive fun. While mainstream Christmas music can be tiresome, the folk, alternative and even Americana worlds repeatedly dig up plenty of seasonal gems this time of the year. Chris Cleverley was on safe ground with his friends in the band and a largely familiar audience. He also knows the streets of Kings Heath well. Where he does break away is seeking alternative slants of presentation and arrangement. He is far from a pigeon holed folk artist, more an highly creative free thinker seeking a deeper platform. Matching his guitar playing and writing skills is leading to increased acclaim and delivering entertaining nights like this Birmingham return.