LRB curtain raiser event spanned two days. A weekend of shows in remembrance to our friend Terry Goldsmith. Show casing world quality artistes in truly unforgettable back to back music evenings, here at Little Rabbit Barn. Such a privilege to host artists of this quality and so proud to be named among the best listening places in a 2025 national newspaper feature.
A full house with a waiting list that could have filled a second show, will know how special it was to enjoy Ashley Campbell with her band absolutely raising the roof of the barn. This is what live music is all about and we have to thank Andy Sheard for taking and sharing these extraordinary photographs that capture some of the magic of the evening…
Rachel Hill was the perfect opener for the 2026 season at LRB with her beautiful songs and vocal harmony looping, she set the stage for what was to come, an amazing talent who certainly grew her audience tonight.
Making her first appearance at the LRB as she opens this special weekend of live music in honour of our dear friend Terry Goldsmith.
She starts with a new song, More than these four walls, and we experience Rachel’s vocal loop pedal for the first time.
The next song, You Stop The Light Going Out, is based on Rachel’s experience at an open mic night where her husband was the only person who listened to her performance. Rachel’s subtle use of vocal loops demonstrates her range as a singer resulting in a truly enveloping sound experience.
It’ll Be OK is the first chance for singers in the room to join in on harmonies, this was written during lockdown.
A Plush Life (The Pigeon Song) certainly caused some laughs as Rachel daydreamed away an afternoon that distracted from study…
Burrow Hill follows, a song based on a home from home in Somerset. Track 9 on Rachel’s CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW album.
It’s easy to see Rachel is having fun tonight as she dedicates this next song to her father, with memories of sentimental childhood photos and films, Hummingbird.
Rachel puts down the guitar for the next two songs which are Acapella, and who better to do this as Rachel leads five choirs alongside her solo career.
Wild Mountain Thyme was performed beautifully by Rachel as she laid down vocal track after track to create a choir like experience to the evening.
And so we come to the last song, We Move, a song which made the perfect closer, leaving us on a high note and clapping along with more than a little energy.
If you come to the LRB, you are part of the band, creating the atmosphere within which, these wonderful artists can really shine.
Thank you Rachel Hill
Ashley Campbell
Ashley Campbell played her first visit to the LRB, bringing her full band featuring, Thor Jensen on guitar, an old LRB friend Mark Lewis on double bass and Jack Amblin playing some amazing drums and percussion.
Ashley, of course, playing fine guitar and banjo as the whole band provided beautiful harmony vocals.
Dirty Dishes, Track 3 from Ashley’s GOODNIGHT NASHVILLE album set the tone for what was to prove an exquisite set, the applause said it all…
The Lonely One followed, Track 5 from the 2018 album of the same name. Already we are hearing what a great guitarist Thor Jenson is, and how tight the band are.
A country classic cover is next Lovesick Blues, and there are non more qualified than Ashley Campbell to perform this authentically. Wow, that was another great guitar solo too…
Ashley now introduces us to Thor, from New York before the band break into I Wish We Were Having A Good Time, Track 2 from GOODNIGHT NASHVILLE This will surely be a country pop classic, a great driving song for sunny days, windows open and roof down.
Now Ashley introduces Mark Lewis, on the double bass and Jack Amblin on the drums before we get some French flavour with The Beast (La Bête). Ashley sings beautifully in French.
So, with some theatrics and style, Ashley has the band strike up some instrument changing music as she dons the banjo to great applause…
Now we enjoy a tune from Ashley and Thor’s solo album TURTLE COTTAGE Thor taking the lead vocal. If I’m gonna live a long time. The duet perform under the name Jenson Campbell.
More theatrics and instrument changing music from the band as Ashley switches back to guitar…
Ashley now tells us of her experience with the English rain after living in London for a couple of years, and the story behind writing POS, track 9 on GOODNIGHT NASHVILLE. An up tempo jaunty little number with a story to tell that brought some laughs
Long White Line, and old country song is next, composed by Buford Abner.
Sturgill Simpson has recorded this in 2014 on his METAMODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC album.
It’s a great song and a joy to hear performed tonight.
Used To Hate The Rain, track 7 on GOODNIGHT NASHVILLE is up next, another superb song written by Ashley.
Ashley counts the band in for I See You, another great song with more great guitar soloing from Thor, track 8 on the latest album.
Ashley now talks about pursuing your interests and trying to become you best self is where happiness lives, and this is the inspiration behind I Found You, the opening track on the new album and a lovely relaxed song, again performed beautifully by this great band.
So now we have another song from the JENSON CAMPBELL album, Perfectly Alright, where Thor takes the lead vocal once more and we enjoy some lovely banjo from Ashley. Jack drives the song along with his tasteful brushes whilst Mark’s bass quietly underpins it all. Everything is fine, it is perfectly alright.
Now, this is something new to LRB, Jack takes centre stage with Ashley as he dons his washboard before the band perform a banjo instrumental from GOODNIGHT NASHVILLE Little Rapids. It should have been Little Rabbit
Thor and Jack play some interlude music whilst Ashley Re Tunes the banjo for another up-tempo country number Too Late To Cry featuring Jack with a comic washboard solo…
Joe Cassidy, Ashley’s late manager, wrote the next song, Still Learning To Crawl which is track 4 on the album and Ashley sang it in his honour tonight. It really is another beautiful song…
The washboard is put away now as we approach the last song, it’s clear Ashley wants to continue playing for some time, which is a treat for us.
Now Ashley, visibly moved, talks about her father, Glen Campbell and how she played in his band for three years as he bravely told the world of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. So Ashley wrote a song for him to let him know she had his back. Now, after he died in 2017, he has turned the tables on her as this song brings her comfort too. Remembering. You can find this on Ashley’s 2020 album SOMETHING LOVELY… Track 5.
It’s too late to stop now, more theatrics, Ashley certainly dons her hat in true style…
More banjo now as we get to enjoy the song responsible for Ashley performing music today, Gentle On My Mind… Written by John Hartford and beautifully performed tonight.
The LRB audience cannot help clapping along to Folsom Prison Blues the Johnny Cash Classic . Mark lewis performed a superb double bass solo here. Jack played a blinding short drum solo too, as Thor rips into the guitar solos, the barn is rocking tonight.
Well, we thought that was the end, but Ashley and the band wanted to play some more, so we have a great oldie by Towns Van Zandt, Poncho and Lefty .
Sunshower written by Jimmy Webb is the last song as Ashley performs it solo.
Her father wrote the guitar part but never recorded it except on a live album, it’s not an easy guitar part, but Ashley took the challenge tonight and past the test with flying colours…
That was superb, thank you Ashley Campbell and the band.
Sniff ‘n’ the Tears Acoustic
Day two of our curtain raiser weekend for 2026, our first ever two show weekend, in memory of Terry Goldsmith,
It was a pleasure to enjoy the return of Paul Roberts and Les Davidson, founder members of the legendary band Sniff ‘n’ the Tears, as they pursue their latter-day acoustic project
A band that has received over 97 million streams of their first worldwide hit Driver’s Seat from debut album FICKLE HEART
The duo last played for us at LRB in 2019, prior to Covid, so it’s great to have them back once more.
So after an enthusiastic introduction from J, as only real fan can, they open with what Paul describes as a little Folk Song, Only Love To Tempt Me. Paul’s voice is unique and unmistakable.
Into the light is next, a fairly recent song from 2020, before we enjoy a song Paul and Les say they have never played live before, from 1979 FICKLE HEART slbum This Side Of The Blue Horizon.
Paul tells us that at the time of FICKLE HEART’S late release due to technical reasons, Dire Straits came along and Sniff ‘n’ The Tears were said to have copied them, but the truth is, they came first…
Bride Of The Wind follows, from the 2002 UNDERGROUND album.
Paul’s tortured voice is addictive and it’s a joy to hear such an accomplished player as Les Davidson filling in the space.
Paul, has been suffering with a sore throat, but this didn’t stop him taking the risk to sing Prime Time from the 1992 album NO DAMAGE DONE.
Man in a Million is a very old song that was never recorded by the band back in the day, but with the start of the acoustic project it can be found on the 2020 album JUMP.
The Terms Of My Surrender was written around the time of their last band album, but not released although it will be on their new release…
Another song from NO DAMAGE DONE is Parisian Girl after Paul and Les jokingly talk about the damage done with the emergence of Dire Straits at the time… Laughs…
Paul tells how he had forgotten how difficult it is to get to the LRB as they retune before playing Looking For You, a topical song as Paul says “People think they want a revolution, but what they really want is a dictatorship”. That’s food for thought indeed. From the 1978 album FICKLE HEART…
This was going to be the follow up single in America after Drivers Seat did so well, but their manager pointed out that know-one in America would buy a song with the lyric The time for the wealthy is through… It’s amazing the trivia we learn at live gigs, from the people who were there at the time…
Night Starvation is a song about being on your own, wondering the streets not knowing what to do… You will find it on Paul Roberts 1992 Solo album SLOWDOWN.
Les now switches to the Electric Guitar for Roll Them Bones, you will find this on the 1990 album A BEST OF…
Snow White is next on the playlist, taken from the 1981 LOVE/ACTION album, at a time when Les joined the band, it’s also found on A BEST OF… and from the very same record we enjoy Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. Les fills in for the gospel choir at the end… Laughs…
Another song, Les says is relevant today, comes next. The opening track on the 2010 album DOWNSTREAM… Black Money.
“It all seems a bit money themed tonight” Paul tells us,“but with 200 songs to choose from, that how it goes sometimes”, before playing Gold from the 1982 album RIDE BLUE DIVIDE…
As we approach the end of this set, Paul tells us of how he was playing this 1980s song as an encore and completely forgot the last verse… laughs… So, try again tonight, Poison Pen Pal from the 1980 album THE GAME’S UP. No problem this time…
But there is only one encore they could possibly play, as they realise time has run out and it’s past their bed times anyway… laughs… The radio hit Drivers Seat closes the show with an upbeat feel and a chance for the LRB audience to clap and sing along as part of the band as Les delivers a blistering guitar solo for us…
Thank you Sniff ‘n’ The Tears
Emily Barker
The final show from this curtain raiser weekend in honour of our dear friend Terry Goldsmith is the remarkable Emily Barker, with her 5th appearance at LRB, an artist who deservedly holds worldwide acclaim.
Tonight became the definitive performance from a solo performer at LRB in 16 years…
Emily opened with Return Me, a song with a haunting sound from her 2020 album A DARK MURMURATION OF WORDS. This set the tone for what was to come tonight.
Emily now dons her Harmonica as she talks about promoting her 13th album just finished, before performing Dear River, a song about the river where she grew up. This opens the 2013 album DEAR RIVER, released with Red Clay Halo.
The Woman Who Planted Trees follows, also on A DARK MURMURATION OF WORDS.
Emily now tells us of how she was involved in a hit and run accident which leaves her without the correct movement in her right leg for now, so had to use her left for the Stomp box, before performing her latest single release White Geraniums.
Emily tells us that she has two books of poems published to date, and how many of the poems are inspired by music. This latest book is called Sonogram, and we get to enjoy a reading of, That time I was Aretha Franklin’s Niece.
Emily Barker is not only a fine songwriter, singer and musician, but an accomplished poet as well.
Back to the music and Emily plays Ordinary next, also from her A DARK MURMURATION OF WORDS album… beautiful…
Wild to be Sharing This Moment, is on Emily’s latest album FRAGILE AS HUMANS, she quotes Nick Cave as saying, ‘a song gathers meaning’, as this one surely does. This is also the time the LRB choir get coached on the harmonies they can join along with, and join in they do…
Emily now retunes to an open tuning before performing FRAGILE AS HUMANS, the title song to the latest album, a song about how we are shaped by the people we love and have loved.
This was followed by Call It A Day, from the same album. This one had a Joni Mitchell vibe in the chorus to my ears… lovely…
Another tuning now for a cover inspired by a band called The Waifs, the first live band Emily had ever seen at 14 years of age, Buckets Of Rain. Emily went lyric blind mid song, but recovered very well without missing a beat… laughs… Bob Dylan wrote the song and it can be found on BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
A song for Emily’s childhood crush is next, along with the story of buying some very unsuitable music… Sad Songs… You have to go to the gigs to get the full story, it’s worth it though…
Now we get to enjoy a crime thriller theme tune, Emily has two of these to date, as not only did they use Nostalgia for the Wallander series, but they employed Emily’s talent and music for the BBC 2 series, Shadow line. Nostalgia was wonderful to hear live, especially with Simon Allen in charge of the sound… Definitive…
Harmonica once more, to accompany the guitar as Emily goes quickly into Disappear from the 2015 album THE TOERAG SESSIONS.
Over My Shoulder is a song written with Boo Hewardine who Emily says we should book at LRB, “He would love it”. This beautiful song can be found on the SWEET KIND OF BLUE album from 2017, tonight’s performance was spellbinding…
Emily now thanks everyone at LRB for their efforts before reading a poem, a tribute to the British Pub. Inspired by The Wenlock Arms, Where The Black Swans Swim… Literally.
So we come to the very last song tonight, from what has been an amazing set.
Acapela once more this weekend as Emily performs Machine accompanied by wonderful clapping, clicking and a wrong footed stomp box…
The applause says it all as J takes to the microphone to thank Emily and honour the memory of Terry Goldsmith, a man who contributed so much to the world of independent live music.
EDITOR:
Thank you Emily Barker for treating LRB to what we believe was the defining solo performance in 16 years of hosting live music at LRB. Leaving us in no doubt that you have your place at the Top Table of world quality artistes. Just one acoustic guitar, a stomp and occasional harmonica, delivering your songs and poetry through a Lewitt MTPW950, high quality live sound vocal mic, with a top engineer in Simon Allen at the helm. Nirvana.
Everything came together in an extraordinary way over the weekend thanks to Simon Allen’s production skills delivering studio quality live sound on Saturday, James Partridge running sound for the wonderful Ashley Campbell on Friday and Millie Ward on stage lighting, Stan on Merchandise and all the other volunteers who put the time and effort in to make it happen.
We know Terry would have loved the whole weekend of live music and the incredible artistes that made this weekend so special.
Thank you all for your support, know that it is appreciated. Please continue to come out and support live music and our shows at Little Rabbit Barn.
THANK YOU TO THE ARTISTS: ASHLEY CAMBELL + RACHEL HILL | EMILY BARKER + SNIFF N THE TEARS
This was fabulous weekend of high quality artistes in our 2026 curtain raiser event in remembrance to Terry Goldsmith
EDITOR : Our friend Terry Goldsmith who sadly passed away in June 2025 will always be part of the special place of LRB.
Thanks to everyone involved with the production: Simon, sound engineer and Millie our lighting tech; The fabulous little rabbit crew of Chris on video cameras and setup, Stan on setup and artist merchandise; Lyn with artist and guest hospitality; Brian running Little Rabbit Bar and big thanks to Chris and Rebecca, Bob for assistance on the evening.
Remembering: The late Terry Goldsmith
Review: Chris
Video cams: Chris
Photography: Andy Sheard (Friday)
Artist/guest hospitality: Lyn
Artist Merchandise: Stan
AV editing & audio mix: J to follow
Artists: Ashley Campbell, Rachel Hill | Emily Barker, Sniff ‘n the Tears
Sound: Simon Allen, James Partridge (Friday)
Lighting crew: Millie Ward
To all wonderful LRB guests and friends who support live music at LRB, big thanks for filling LRB full on Friday and hope to see y’all on Saturday 28 March for The Grahams. Big thanks to all the new guests and all your lovely comments.
Thank you everyone.
Best wishes, Keep Safe & See Y’all soon
The LRB team
