Preview

Tonight we bring you two musicians who are living proof of the old adage, 'less is more'! In 1990, guitarist/songwriter Ezio Lunedei, whose musical roots lie somewhere between Van Morrison and Jeff Buckley, met Kenyan-born Mark 'Booga' Fowell (guitar): the upshot was the formation of a dynamic duo that's continually bucked all the trends, playing with an emotional and rhythmical power and unity that's brought them universal acclaim. What Ezio deliver is no dreamy introverted songwiter show, but a powerful performance that ranges from rocking anthems to heartrending and unforgettable ballads. Over the course of 14 years they've earned a reputation as one of Europe's hardest working acts, playing countless gigs both as headliners and co-billed with the likes of Paul Young, Big Country, and Joan Armatrading, recorded a number of superlative albums, and built a devoted worldwide following (they're huge in Germany!). As an indication of their popularity, in 1999, despite having no manager or record label at the time, they famously booked the Shepherds Bush Empire - and sold out! Ezio really are that good.

'The closest comparison ... is probably Crowded House ... faultless' - Sligo Weekender

'Gorgeous acoustic melodies, intelligent lyrics, and rocking away like there's no tomorrow' - The Junction

Review

Our choice of this most dynamic of duos to kick-start 2005's Talbot proceedings could hardly have been better: with a three-figure crowd - way in excess of our cautious forecast - to boot, the honchos here at HQ regard this gig as a promising augury of a memorable year's music to come.

Ezio Lunedei and the formidable Mark 'Booga' Fowell combine to create a bigger, bolder and more captivating sound than any twosome, armed only with acoustic guitars, should. Each is a guitar player of formidable stature: Booga, in particular, impresses with his lightning-quick double-time embellishments, and his patented machine-gun-attack strum lead lines, while Ezio complements his own driving rhythm work with delicate lead solos when called upon ... and both make maximum use of harmonics, as well as occasional guitar-body percussion. As the sole vocalist, Ezio's voice and style has something of Van the Man, something of Jeff Buckley about it, across a range of material that manages to convey a sense of instant, comfortable familiarity without resorting to obvious hooks or plagiarism. It's fair to say that these are songs firmly set in a quality pop-rock mould ... lyrically, there's plenty that hits the spot in terms of universal truths (life and its ups and downs, love, luck, and/or the lack of these desirable elements) on songs like 'Steal Away', 'Ice Cold Like Alex', 'Darkness is My Only Friend Tonight', and 'Angel Song'. Tempos are mainly in mid-range foot-tapping territory, with an occasional touching slower ballad, or a chugging all-out rocker ('Can't Help Thinking About Her'). The pair's easygoing stage persona and laconic patter drew everyone in, and they could do no wrong, earning a standing ovation at the end of the night. By the way, of all the acts we've hosted, this duo boasts perhaps the most fervent cult following: to prove it, there were in the audience dedicated folks from as far afield as Brighton, Oxford and beyond who'd embarked on the pilgrimage to Tregaron to witness their heroes in action.

The duo's own sound engineer did a superb job, and gave Ron a welcome night-off from mixing-desk duties ... and Red Kite Records were in attendance, too, to record the gig for posterity (Ezio and Booga are old friends of Martin Levan and his family) - Live! at the Talbot Volume 2, anybody? Watch this space ... After delivering their blisteringly energetic show, the lads rejected the Talbot's famously luxurious accommodation in favour of piling into their trusty Saab and driving straight back to Cambridge. What troupers!