Mandy’s house concert in Oxfordshire in March 2022:
a review by the host
It is always a pleasure to hear Mandy Woods perform! She writes excellent songs besides being a fine musician and a consummate professional in her approach to her art. I had heard her and enjoyed her music on many occasions previously. She had also saved the day for me when at the last minute a band that was to open for a concert I was promoting dropped out; at less than a day’s notice Mandy re-shuffled her bookings and performed an excellent opening set for my gig.
Hosting a house concert was a new idea for me, but when I sent round word to potential guests there was no shortage of takers. I cleared my living room of extraneous furniture, put down plenty of floor cushions, sorted out some nibbles and wine, and was all set for the evening.
Ever organised and reliable, Mandy arrived in good time and set up so that by the time guests arrived all was ready to go. Mandy has evolved a very distinctive repertoire that is based in the country tradition but which is by no means limited to that genre. Her songs, which are melodic and catchy, explore situations and emotions that are presented vividly and are imbued with precise insight into the human psyche. Like the title of one of her CDs, Mandy is happy to let her songs speak for her, with ‘no fuss or frills’. To highlight just a couple of numbers from that CD, I particularly enjoyed hearing Mandy perform ‘Before You’, ‘Cabin Fever’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Run’, though her repertoire is so great that it is difficult to pick out certain songs, as one is spoilt for choice.
So, sitting quietly facing us, accompanying herself on the guitar, Mandy gave us an excellent evening of music and song. She also talked engagingly about the creative process that led to the birth of the songs she sang, which added to the audience’s interest. At the end of the evening a hat was passed round, and everyone was more than happy to make a generous contribution as a token of our thanks.
Since that time, I know that Mandy has added considerably to her oeuvre. We look forward to the next concert when we can hear some of that new material!
Ginnie Redston
Hosting a house concert was a new idea for me, but when I sent round word to potential guests there was no shortage of takers. I cleared my living room of extraneous furniture, put down plenty of floor cushions, sorted out some nibbles and wine, and was all set for the evening.
Ever organised and reliable, Mandy arrived in good time and set up so that by the time guests arrived all was ready to go. Mandy has evolved a very distinctive repertoire that is based in the country tradition but which is by no means limited to that genre. Her songs, which are melodic and catchy, explore situations and emotions that are presented vividly and are imbued with precise insight into the human psyche. Like the title of one of her CDs, Mandy is happy to let her songs speak for her, with ‘no fuss or frills’. To highlight just a couple of numbers from that CD, I particularly enjoyed hearing Mandy perform ‘Before You’, ‘Cabin Fever’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Run’, though her repertoire is so great that it is difficult to pick out certain songs, as one is spoilt for choice.
So, sitting quietly facing us, accompanying herself on the guitar, Mandy gave us an excellent evening of music and song. She also talked engagingly about the creative process that led to the birth of the songs she sang, which added to the audience’s interest. At the end of the evening a hat was passed round, and everyone was more than happy to make a generous contribution as a token of our thanks.
Since that time, I know that Mandy has added considerably to her oeuvre. We look forward to the next concert when we can hear some of that new material!
Ginnie Redston
Mandy performing at TwickFolk, London. Photo by Estelle Laybourne.