Duncan McKenzie

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Farncombe Music Club enjoyed probably its best night so far with two fantastic performances from Angie Palmer and her support act Duncan McKenzie.

In her first performance in England since her tour in France, Palmer played songs of love, travelling and everyday occurrences with faultless confidence whilst demonstrating her immense vocal and guitar playing talent.

Duncan McKenzie kicked off a fine evening with a selection of songs from his album ‘New life’ and also the ten minute long powerful instrumental “Third Millennium” that simply took your breath away. It may have taken up a considerable amount of his set time, but to witness ‘Third Millennium’ was worth the ticket price alone. The spectrum of sounds that McKenzie made with every possible part of his acoustic guitar would probably be the highlight at any concert.

Incredibly the main act was still to follow and Angie Palmer was so moved by McKenzie’s performance that she almost forgot she was on next, having to dash back into her dressing room to grab her guitar! Having been called ‘one of the greatest British songwriters’ by Bob Harris she certainly had a lot to live up to taking in McKenzie’s electrifying performance as well.

I hope that the Bognor Acoustic Music Club will become known as a venue where the finest of local (and visiting) musicians and singers will find a home, and where discerning listeners will be confident that they will see and hear good music.

That was CERTAINLY the case last Thursday. Our star (and he is one) performer was locally based professional singer-songwriter and guitarist -

Duncan gave us original songs, and guitar compositions, Jazz standards, and traditional pieces. All delivered with a friendly, and open professionalism.

It was a delight to see him chatting and comparing notes with the other musicians, and I hope that we can get him back again, considering his busy international schedule. Thank you Duncan.

By Andrew Perry

''It’s funny how certain days etch a still image on your mind, like a snapshot in time; well last Saturday was one of those days. That is, if you were at the 2^nd Appledram Beer Festival it did.

At Pump Bottom Farm just south of Chichester a very special annual event takes place which is the brainchild of Julian Moore musically supported by the team of Roots around the World. The good folk of West Sussex (and beyond) are invited to what feels like a cross between the worlds’ best pub garden and a high quality, very select music festival. As the afternoon’s entertainment began we sat in the late September afternoon sun sampling some of the brewers’ best ales. A dragonfly from the nearby canal buzzed past lazily as we enjoy some exceptional blues sounds and ballads from our own Duncan McKenzie who hails from Arundel. McKenzie has a voice than can flow from soothing honeysweet to raw ripping canvas and a playing style from virtuoso steel-string acoustic inspired by vintage blues to Van Morrison’s ‘Baby please don’t go’ delivered with the urgency and power of a freight train. As the afternoon progressed we grooved in the marquee to the Brazilian sounds of Sirius B, both mellow bossanova and hip-impelling samba.''

One Friday evening the Arundel Festival ‘madfest’ was just starting to really kick off and some of us wasted no time in joining in with the festivities by literally kicking off our shoes, letting our hair down and enjoying a brilliant and stonkingly-good bop. As part of ‘Amy’s Music Trail' we found our way to the Victoria Club, Tarrant Street to see amongst others ......

....... the Duncan McKenzie Band, many of whom have local origins and clearly have a very receptive group of fans who really know how to party. With Chris Hunt on drums, Gary Granger, guitar, Johnny Bentley on bass guitar and Duncan McKenzie on guitar and vocals we enjoyed four gentlemen so astonishingly well-practiced in their craft.

They gave us such a fine range of quality classic good funk such as Fleetwood Mac and Hendrix and treated us with some of their own compositions that showed Floyd-standard skill and creativity. All clearly delivered joyfully with pedigree aplomb. We in our ignorance expected a pub gig and literally got shipped to the outer reaches!

So clearly, if you want to enjoy seriously good fun while Arundel is offering it’s finest; Amy’s choice is proven one to look out for.

This was a one-off evening sponsored by Rob, landlord of The White Hart Inn, which took place before the Acoustic Sussex programme began in earnest. Duncan has performed locally before on many occasions, so it was great to see him back in the area. As a guitarist and singer, Duncan gets better and better, and he stunned the crowd with his virtuosity. Duncan was supported by Steve Winchester.