I had the pleasure of watching a fabulous live stream last night featuring the talents of Frank Turner and Emily Barker, the event was called ‘Barker-Turner Overdrive’ and featured some super talented musicians who accompanied Frank and Emily as they performed some timeless duets.

What struck me was the choice of tracks that they played, there really was something for everyone, from John Prine & Iris DeMent to Johnny Cash & June Carter, they even managed to squeeze in a classic from David Bowie & Freddie Mercury (Queen).

Accompanied by Jess Guise, Matt Nasir, Lucas Drinkwater and Carducci Strings (with arrangements by Joe Duddell), they did a sterling job on each track and after a couple of false starts owing to capo issues (Frank) and relentless tuning (erm, Frank again), the 80 minute event flew by in what seemed like half that time. 

Highlights for me included ‘Islands in the Stream’ which evoked memories of Bryn and Nessa from hit TV show ‘Gavin & Stacey’ (if you haven’t seen it, head to YouTube NOW) and ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ which saw Emily and Frank take the vocal parts of Kiki Dee and Elton John.

Everyone was in fine form, Lukas Drinkwater showed how much of a versatile musician he is by effortlessly swapping between double bass and guitar, the Carducci Quartet sounded sublime thanks to the arrangement put together by the one and only Joe Duddell. Jess Guise performed backing vocals, Matt Nasir appeared later on in the performance on keys and guitar leaving Emily and Frank to head up the show and do what they do best. Emily’s vocals were exquisite, so sweet and tender and together with Frank, they did all the tracks real justice as they floated through the varied set. They all looked as if they were really enjoying themselves, Frank even managed to leave his cowboy hat on for the majority of the show after receiving the thumbs up from Jess.

Despite Frank having done so much for independent venues throughout the pandemic, events like this do not happen very often and it may well be a long time until you see anything else like it, if you bought a ticket, I applaud you, if you didn’t, you missed out on a tremendous evening of live music, amusing banter and what may well be, the only time you get to see Frank in a stetson, singing duets with the truly amazing Emily Barker!

Setlist

1 In Spite of Ourselves (John Prine & Iris DeMent)

2 Wheels and White Lines 

3 Golden Ring (George Jones & Tammy Wynette)

4 Jackson (Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra)

5 Love Hurts (Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris)

6 Under Pressure (Queen & David Bowie)

7 Silent Key

8 Fields of June 

9 Old Flames

10 Islands in the Stream (Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton)

11 Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John & Kiki Dee)

12 Bound For Home (new song)

13 Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man (Johnny Cash & June Carter)

Review by Steve Muscutt