Spellbound at The Eagle

With a taste of autumn in the air we returned to The Eagle Hotel for an evening with Sarah McQuaid.

From the very first notes of the opening song the audience were absolutely spellbound – and we remained entranced for the whole evening.

She has the most gorgeous voice, rich and full. Sometimes accompanying herself with a simple drumbeat, sometimes exquisite finger picking on either electric or acoustic guitar, sometimes on a keyboard, and sometimes solo a-cappella.

Her material is mostly self written originals, weaving tales of seeing the Northern Lights in a hotel in Yorkshire, a hole dug by her 9 year old son in the garden, juggling plates, calming nightmares of the Yellowstone volcano, the USA (where she was born), Irish folk (where she lived), Derby Cathedral, the Leap Second, and more. Interspersed with covers of Blues and trad Irish tunes. The covers included Bobbie Gentry’s song “Ode to Billie Joe” and the classic “Mr Bojangles”, both played somewhat slower bringing out the hidden depths in both stories and music.

The style of guitar playing she has to accompany her songs derives from the Irish tradition where the key is the melody and counterpoint – essentially finger picking individual notes rather than strumming chords. Coupled with the tuning she uses (DADGAD – she actually wrote the book on it) which provides additional resonance, it is the perfect compliment to her rich alto voice.

This was the third night of her autumn tour which is taking her across the UK and over to North America. Her american roots (her mother) are audible in her music, if not in her voice, as is her Spanish heritage (her father) and her love of the Irish (her husband). A unique talent – she previously played in Launceston in 2018 at No8 and was great then, she was even better now. If you missed her you can catch her at Sterts (down the road at Upton Cross near Liskeard) on 22nd September – well worth tackling the windy dark road for.

She left us with an A cappella rendition of “The Parting Glass”. Good night, and joy be with you all.

We dispersed into an autumn night turned magical by melodic memories.