An Evening of Blues and Gospel with Bob Pearce
On Saturday, September 20th 2008, one of Southampton’s hidden architectural gems - St Denys Church - hosts a unique evening's entertainment with one of the city’s best loved ‘hidden’ musicians and blues legend, the irrepressible Bob Pearce and his band.
During his three year ‘retirement’ from the business shortly after the 1998 release of “Why Am I Hollerin”, and with his reputation as king of the Home Cooked Blues intact, Bob Pearce reflected on his faith and his career in music. Inspired by his love for Jesus, and with the loyal support of Blues Etc, Bob returned to the studio to record 2005’s “Unchained" - his first album as a Christian artist. In 2007, Bob and his friends recorded a second album of gospel songs “Making My Way Back Home” (FPCD011) and resumed a selected programme of dates around the Solent.
During 2008, St Denys Church celebrates 140 years of service to the community. With one of the largest unaltered internal spaces in the city, this magnificent Victorian building hosts medieval artefacts, one of the largest pipe organs in Hampshire dating back to 1750, and an architectural heritage to match - it was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, creator of such landmarks as St Pancras Station in London and the Martyr's Memorial in Oxford. God’s plan for the building at St Denys saw it rescued from nine years of closure in 2006, opened once again for services and occasional performance events. The church’s superb acoustics and vast interior make it ideal for all kinds of live music, worship and drama.
Martin Smith, churchwarden, says: “We are really honoured that a local musician with such an international pedigree as Bob Pearce should accept our invitation to witness his new faith and present his testimony in music at our church. His story and journey to Christ reflects our own recent history, and it is fitting that these two Southampton icons should at last come together. With His grace, Bob’s showcase concert will demonstrate to a mixed audience the versatility and awe-inspiring potential of this beautiful building.”
Doors 7pm. Tickets £5.00 (unreserved seating/standing. Some views are restricted). Available from Southampton Guildhall Box Office on 023 8063 2601 (booking fees apply), or in person from St Denys Church, Dundee Road. More information is available at: http://www.stdenys.com/events.htm and http://www.davidstjohn.co.uk/bobpearce.html