Folk duo keep delighting crowds

ANOTHER full house, another rapturous send-off - ColvinQarmby are making of a habit of it at Rugby Roots.

The band’s driving forces are lead singer and songwriter Gerry Colvin, a veteran of The Tube and The Old Grey Whistle Test, and bassist Nick Qarmby, who also plays with The Phil Beer Band. They have a strong and loyal fan base with intimate knowledge of the band’s work - mainly autobiographical songs, strong in lyrics and even stronger on melody.

For instance, when Gerry Colvin’s girlfriend left him, she also left some large packets of chocolate biscuits and this became The Girl Who Liked Penguins, a witty and moving story song.

There is a new album out later this year, but it was the well-known songs which most delighted the crowd, like the beautiful Oceans about ageing, and the ColvinQarmby ‘anthem’ One More Week, a ‘minor hit in Holland’ according to Colvin.

Suffering from a heavy cold, Colvin fluffed a couple of the songs, and some of his remarks, especially on religion, could easily offend, if it wasn’t for his hilarious delivery and sense of fun.

John Howes