Original music from across the water at the Chichester Inn

First on stage was Don Gallardo, a singer-songwriter in the grand American tradition from Nashville, Tennessee, who was warming up for his UK solo acoustic tour. Don combines introspective lyrics, gritty twang and honey warm vocals to produce a rootsy, personal sound that delighted his friends from previous visits to the area. Don took the audience through several songs from his new album “The Art of Troublesome Times” including “Sinking Ships” – written while staying in West Sussex a couple of years ago, “Burgundy Wine” and “Paper Heart”, together with a selection of older favourites. One highlight was a very intimate and soulful rendition of Lennon and McCartney’s “Nowhere Man” which was Don’s only cover of the evening. Don closed his set with the audience requested “Tennessee Skyline”.

While a fair number of the audience were there to see Don Gallardo they were happy to wait to see what Lucid had to offer.

Lucid is a four piece band from the Isle of Wight that play original folk influenced rock with a seventies feel combining beautiful vocal harmonies with outstanding musicianship. Lucid comprises twins Sunny and Blue Brown on guitar and vocals and keyboards and vocals respectively, Ollie Ducie on bass and vocals and Nik Potts on violin, guitar and vocals. They kicked off their set with “On the Road” from their second album “No Reflections” and the initially reserved audience started to visibly warm toward them. A varied selection of songs from their latest album “If By Chance” including the beautiful “Call My Name”, the haunting “Stories” and the hopeful “Brave New World” continued to charm and warm the audience and by the time Lucid played “My Beautiful You” from their first album “Jigsaw Dreams” the crowd was completely won over and they clapped their hands and tapped their feet throughout the final number “Sir Reel”. Lucid were called back for a well deserved encore and they again delighted the crowd with their only departure from original material – an astonishing rendition of The Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” featuring some electrifying violin from Nik Potts that sent everyone home happy.

As previously mentioned - an outstanding evening of original music from across the water right here in downtown Chichester.

Alan Fielder