Saturday 22nd June

Angelou, Caroline Walters & Jim Rowbotham, Springett Booth and Bob Collum
We were the only UK venue to secure Holly, Jo & Cath for a gig at this time, Angelou having been squirreled away in Copenhagen & Manchester during early summer 2002 recording their third studio album 'Tell Tale Heart'. They set the standard with their 1998 release, 'Automiracles', which was described by The Independent as being "the best debut of it's kind since The Sunday's first effort 'Reading, Writing & Arithmetic".

This evening saw them performing a selection of tracks, from those being debuted at The Headgate, to old favourites like Flesh & Blood. The acoustic guitars and vocals of Holly and Jo were beautifully augmented by Cath's piano work, and occasional percussion. A beautiful end to another successful evening.

www.angelou.co.uk

Caroline Walters & Jim Rowbotham 8.25-8.45pm

First on, and a Colchester debut from this duo from Ipswich. Beautifully understated guitar and backing vocals from Jim complimented Caroline's increasingly confident lead vocals and piano. A wonderful way to start the night. No CD or website at present but it is surely only a matter of time with them playing at events like the Ipswich Music Day in Christchurch Park.

Springett Booth 8.50-9.10pm

Springett Booth are the superb songwriting partnership of vocalist Sarah Springett & guitarist and vocalist David Booth. Sarah originally trained as a dancer, but after graduating in Musical Theatre was already steering towards music. Enter David Booth, whose solo album 'Open Season' had already been released. Liking what she heard Sarah approached him for help with her own songs, and they soon realised that a songwriting partnership was the obvious next step.

Tonight's performance was powerful and confident right from the first note. The single, Only One was instantly memorable as was the closing song, Give Me a Moment. Its great to discover songwriters of this calibre living virtually on your doorstep. See a full headline set from them at the AcoustiCity Christmas bash on December 21st 2002.

www.springettbooth.com

Bob Collum 9.15-9.35pm

Bob Collum has had a colourful career, most of it in the States. Born in Tulsa he toured the midwest extensively with the band 'The Legendary Hitchhikers' who recorded an eponymous album in 1992. After the demise of the band he returned to being a solo songwriter and now has two further albums to his credit, including the new release, 'low Rent Romeo'.

Tonight he mixed original songs with one cover to finish, the set kicking along nicely with the help of Dan on bass. This will not be the last you see of Bob in this area we're sure.

www.bobcollumonline.com

Please visit the various artists' websites and check out their releases and upcoming gigs. If CD sales at the end of the gigs are any judge of quality, you will not be disappointed.