Our next concert on Sunday 26 May 2024 in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP features the first appearance at Music on the Levels of Dan Whitehouse who is touring nationally a programme entitled A Night Of Glass.
‘Of course, for Music on the Levels we’d call it An Afternoon of Glass, says Dan.
As usual, the concert starts at 3 pm, refreshments served from 2.15 pm.
Over the past two years, acclaimed Black Country singer-songwriter Dan Whitehouse has been in a transparently reflective mood with three albums all themed around the nature of glass. The Glass Age, Voices From The Cones and Reflections On The Glass Age.
Songs from these projects have now been gathered together for Night Of Glass, a simple but hypnotic live experience in which, variously behind a piano or on guitar Dan takes audience deep into the heart of glass in its myriad manifestations. His expressive style has a hint of Bowie here, a touch of Cohen there, and the performance is interspersed with narrative in his hearty Black Country voice.
Dan Whitehouse is recognised as one of the most individual voices in the field. Tom Robinson recently invited him to join him at an important gig at The Bolehall Manor in Tamworth.
‘My debut solo release was the balloon EP in 2009 and Tom Robinson was the first DJ to give it a spin on national radio’, comments Dan, ‘He went one step further and invited me to an immersion song writing retreat in rural Kent, an experience that shaped me and steered me towards the path I tread today.’
Along that path, Dan has received many favourable reviews. Here are a few:
Dan glides elegantly between propulsive guitar work and a refined pianistic sensibility that snatches intervals almost out of thin air, like glimpses of sunlight sparked off the facias of distant skyscrapers. MusoMuso
Gorgeous . . Intriguing. The Guardian
Dan has an outstanding singing voice, possesses a unique artistic vision and displays songwriting excellence. Chris Difford
Wonderful production and writing. Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music
Perhaps Mr Whitehouse’s greatest gift is his knack for writing seemingly simple songs that most listeners will be able to relate to. MAVERICK
Subtle and delicate melodies. The Sunday Times
Nothing short of beautiful – **** . RnR Magazine
Devotees of inventive, imaginative music-making should enjoy the new offerings from the excellent Dan Whitehouse. Morning Star
For an album partly inspired by distance, barriers and locked-down-ness, people and connection ripple through The Glass Age. Arts Culture Mag
… an earworm chorus hook that should send a luminous glow through Radio 2. Mike Davies
A seven track meditation on the way human experience and connecting has changed through the medium of virtual communication.folking.com
Maybe one day social historians will document the cultural impacts of screens and instant communication. When they do this album should be mentioned as it sums up this Zeitgeist better than anything I’ve heard. FATEA
. . . like glimpses of sunlight sparked off the facias of distant skyscrapers. MusoMuso
Arrangements for this concert
There is no need to book as the church’s capacity have never yet been exceeded. However, it should be noted that seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
In order to help with the artists’ and other costs a raffle is held. In addition, donations are encouraged. It costs over £400 to put on a concert.
Further information
And a reminder of our last concert. . . .
Sally Jenkins chatting after her wonderful harp recital.
Music on the Levels 