Wizard of the instruments Phil Beer is on the road in Bridport (From Dorset Echo)

Wizard of the instruments Phil Beer is on the road in Bridport

11:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Stage By Ruth Meech

PHIL Beer, best known for his multi-instrumental wizardry as one half of England’s top acoustic roots duo Show of Hands, is back on the road with his own band once again.

Described as ‘where Steve Earle and Richard Thompson collide’ an evening with The Phil Beer Band is fast, frenetic, ‘feelgood’ and leavened with a good helping of humour and you can catch them at Bridport’s Electric Palace next Saturday Delivering a unique blend of ‘folk and roll’ drawn from Phil’s love of traditional tunes and American country rock, the Phil Beer Band comprises six musicians each with musical careers of their own.

It includes expressive and critically acclaimed double bassist and singer Miranda Sykes and melodeonist and tunesmith Gareth Turner, known for his energy-fuelled performances with Little Johnny England.

The line-up is completed by Nick on bass, Steve Crickett on drums and Olivia Dunn from Mad Dog MaCree on fiddle completes the line-up.

Phil is one of the most popular ambassadors for acoustic roots music.

A dazzling instrumentalist, he is perhaps best known as a top flight fiddler and plays in the all-star line-up, Feast of Fiddles. But his skills don’t stop there; he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor guitar, mandocello, viola, mandolin and South American cuatro, not to mention rich vocals.

Phil’s instrumental skills on acoustic and electric guitars, fiddle and mandolin are well documented and been utilized by countless artists over the years, including The Rolling Stones, Mike Oldfield and Steve Harley.

He was for many years lead guitarist and singer with the Albion band. He has also made forays into television music as well as producing albums for other musicians.

The Phil Beer Band will be appearing at the Electric Palace on February 11.

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Tickets are £14 each and are available in advance from Bridport TIC on 01308 424901 or at seetickets.com