Hearts of Coal - Reviews and Comment.

For the performances of March 5th and 6th 2005 with The Roses & Thorns Choir.

"Gobsmackingly Good"
- Nigel Schofield.
Here is Nigel's formal review of the concert

"My dearest sister - wow what an evening. Thank you SO VERY MUCH indeed for enticing us up to Ossett......... Meeting up with 8 singers I knew from my Sheff Soc Choir days was an unexpected plus................... Re the performance - wow - we were gobsmacked, chuffed ........it was a right gradely performance. Robert had to restrain me from leaping on to the stage and joining in.
The performance was stunning in fact. Moving, interesting, almost faultless musically, excellent pace and variety, masterly conducting, inspired composition.
Our fellow Songlines friends, Vera and Molly totally loved it. Molly comes from a family of weavers and miners......... she really enjoyed being connected her back to her roots. We had printed out your 'post-performance' post card publicity for them to read in the car on the journey up and it got us all in a good mood.
We even had a 'groupie' moment in the car park where we found we were parked near to Coope, Boyes, Boyes and Hearne and were able to tell them how great it had all been. They seemed right chuffed........................
tons of love"
- Cathie - friend of Bronwen Edwards.

"I was at Osset what can I say but wow it was excellent! "
- "Jim the ex miner" - mudcat

"the Ossett performance was superb, the choir had a really tremendous presence and the solo performers were excellent (specially Ray Hearne). Wish I could've made Otley too (mutter mutter!).... Big congrats to all involved, most of all Georgina for getting it all together."
- "MoorleyMan" - mudcat

"we both agreed the performers were damned good, Ray Hearne especially. I was impressed with the massed choir too, you all did really well."
- David Kidman

"I was at the Otley night, and thanks for such an enlightening performance,the bits of info were a learning experience, and the songs amazing, Janet's solo was specially good and the chorus was stunningly powerful yet sensitive, emanating real feeling and emotion.
Well done to all involved: more; more; more of the same is my plea."
- Christine Bliss - mudcat

"We were there, we liked it lots. Powerful, tight, just what choral
singing should be. The readings were good too with Ray Hearn standing
out, lovely round South Yorkshire diction. Barry Coope's conducting was
spot on, in a sort of stern but lovable Uncle sort of way. Yep we liked
it lots."
- Jim Ellison - uk.music.folk

"You all did really well and from what I could tell the audience really loved it"
- Graham Smout.

"We had a lovely time ... It was a great night - the choir was in fine voice, well done all of you."
- Liz Bowen

"Hearts of Coal on Saturday was excellent. The '80s strike devastated communites in the area where I grew up so I found the passion & commitment of the performances very moving.
Many thanks to all involved."
-Wayne Stote