"Improvised duets for violin and saxophone"

A concert by Peter Knight and Trevor Watts Queens Arms, Penton St, Islington - 16th July 1999    

The back streets of Islington are not a place I regularly frequent, and the rather cramped and slightly tatty upstairs room of the Queens Arms seemed an unlikely place for a new musical experience. However, armed with my camera and notebook I set forth. Having only the bare information listed above, I didn't exactly know what to expect. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one.

I have often noted that there are many passing moments of beauty that can never be repeated - a chance formation of clouds, the play of light on water, a spectacular sunset. This performance was such a passing moment in music.

To set the scene - Peter (Steeleye Span) & Trevor (Moire Music Drum Orchestra) have known each other for nearly twenty years, and have performed together many times in various incarnations, although it has been almost ten years since they last did so. When planning this reunion gig, they wanted to keep it a very pure reunion and as such, they decided not to rehearse, practice or even discuss the music beforehand. So, much like your reviewer, up until they stepped up to perform, even they didn't know what to expect.

The result? Music in its purest possible form. No preconceptions, no squiggly tadpoles on a stave, no imposed structures, just pure music for the sake of music. These were two very talented musicians performing for the love of it. The music twirled and danced, ambled and soared. At times sounding folky, other times drifting into jazz, at one point sounding almost like a formal chamber piece before going off on another flight of fancy. Just two minds, no maybe two hearts is a better way to put it, letting the Muse take them wherever she may. Those twenty or so of us in the audience were privileged to be along for the ride. Although they performed for almost an hour without a break, I didn't see any signs of impatience or boredom, just rapt appreciation. Improvisation may not be everybody's cup of tea; it certainly wasn't something I had experienced before, but it was a joy to hear. Sadly, like the beautiful sunset, it is not something that can be repeated, but I am sure whatever they improvise next time will be just as worth hearing. Peter did say to me beforehand that if it went down well, he and Trevor might set up a short tour in the USA and maybe Australia. Judging by the reception of tonight's performance, I think they may well be doing so.

Ian Walden

I would like to thank Folktales and Ian Walden for their interest in this music and for their subsequent support. Peter Knight.