Faultless Fred brings the House down in Newbury

Fred’s House, support Me For Queen (Mary Erskine), at ACE Space, Newbury, on Saturday, October 15. Review by RICHARD MARKHAM

“It’s a convenient place to stop off on our way home to Cambridge,” announced Vikki ‘Vix’ Gavin, the pint-sized powerhouse lead singer of Fred’s House at the start of their third appearance at ACE Space.

A high-quality audience of 50-plus was served a real musical treat and responded to the headliners’ faultless 75-minute set with a rousing ovation, earning an impeccable encore of Piece of My Heart, best known as a hit for Janis Joplin.

The five-piece excel in raising smiles, with a fine command of watertight hooks, harmonies and melody in their mainly upbeat songwriting, honed over a full 12 years gigging together.

So far there has been only one personnel change with Prue Ward replacing Griff Jameson up front and introducing her trademark violin to the sound.

Ace US lead guitarist Lachlan Golder, Griff’s brother Gafyn (bass and bvs) and the world’s happiest drummer Paul Richards complete the band.

The pick of three neat covers was Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, beautifully arranged and very nearly as good as the classic version.

Otherwise it was original songwriting all the way, opening with the scintillating title track of exceptional 2020 Walls and Ceilings EP.
An object-lesson in soulful pop-rock, the EP’s four songs showcase Vix’s emotional and vocal range and Lachlan’s uncanny skill at finding just the right licks and fills.

Having set the bar high, the band didn’t let up, interspersing the rest of Walls & Ceilings with numbers from their extensive back catalogue and a couple of excellent new songs.

The main set ended with a lovely version of Beautiful You.

Album number four is in the works and should be another joy.

Me for Queen (the alter ego of Mary Erskine) opened the evening accompanying herself on guitar and keyboard. Her highly personal, raw, heart-on-sleeve streams of consciousness – much of them relating to her own experience of motherhood – made for uncomfortable listening, but there was no doubting her talent as a singer and player.

Huge credit for another great night goes to sound engineer Mark Stafford.

If you missed the show, look out for its broadcast on Folk Ace on Kennet Radio
later.

• Next up at Ace Space, Madrid-based four-piece roots/Americana band Track Dogs make their long-awaited return on Friday, November 11, complete with mariachi trumpet!

• Catch Fred’s House at the Big Ginger Tom Music gig at Harwell village hall on at Harwell on December 2 (7.30pm-10.30pm) biggingertommusic@gmail.com or online at https://www.wegottickets.com/event/530569 Support from Calum Gilligan and Not Your Type. Doors and bar at 7pm, music at 7.30pm.