Quicksilver in Southport

This Sunday at the Bothy Folk Club is a singers night when performers get in free, but the following Sunday sees the return of popular duo, Quicksilver.  They comprise Hilary Spencer (of Artisan and Mrs Ackroyd Band fame) and Grant Baynham (formerly of TV's 'That's Life!'), who have been working together since 2002.  They're called Quicksilver because their initials, H & G, also form the elemental symbol for mercury - as good as reason as any, I suppose.

Hilary has an amazing voice with a phenomenal range and as for Grant's guitar-playing, it makes me feel like wearing L-plates when I perform.  The rapport on stage and the chemistry between them is almost tangible and the material (roughly half self-penned) includes all the things you can imagine doing with two voices and an acoustic guitar, plus a good few that you probably can't.

You may have gathered I like them.  Here's what John New of Northampton Folk Club said:  "Quicksilver reaches the parts that other performers can't reach. Hilary's voice will have the hairs standing up on the back of the neck and Grant's dazzling guitar-playing will make your jaw drop with wonder. Pure joy!"

Tickets here, though you'll probably be okay paying on the door.  That's on Sunday 8 May at the Park Golf Club, Park Road West, Southport, PR9 0JS.  Real ale from Thwaites too.