Cecil Sharp House played host to the first of two nights showcasing the results of the Cecil Sharp Project, after their week together in deepest Shropshire.

Jim Moray, Jackie Oates, Leonard Podolak, Kathryn Roberts, Patsy Reid, Steve Knightley, Caroline Herring and Andy Cutting took to the stage with an eclectic mix of songs and tunes both inspired by Cecil Sharp and collected by him.

Steve Knightley began with an anthemic song telling of mining for songs in America. It was a rousing beginning, which a tune set led by Patsy, Andy and Leonard built upon.

The talent and variety on stage provided opportunities for a wide mix of arrangements, from pared down, beautiful laments, to very full arrangements, building up to some wonderful crescendos. Having Kathryn, Jackie, Caroline and Patsy on stage also allowed for incredible vocal harmonising, which was simply enchanting.

Kathryn and Jackie collaborated on a very entertaining and enchanting song - Cecil’s Greatest Hits Volume 1, featuring snippets of some of the songs he collected. The audience sang along with the bits they knew, and the whole medley segued together very well.

As the interval approached we were treated to some hamboning by Leonard - a form of percussion using only one’s own body. It was also time to audience participation, and everyone was willing to hambone along, providing wonderful accompaniment to Old Groundhog.

Sharp collected quite a few versions of Barbara Allen in the Appalachians, so it was only fitting that one was performed as part of the project. It began in a very swung, Appalachian style, coupled with the tune Push That Pig’s Foot a Little Further into the Fire, before returning to the more familiar gentle style of the ballad.

The second half also featured a number of songs based around Sharp and his secretary, Maud Karpeles. They gently played on the characters portrayed in Sharp’s journals.

Beautiful Maud was a gorgeous tribute to Maud, and her efforts both during Sharp’s life, and to ensure his legacy after his death. It was incredibly fitting to hear it performed in the very house that she worked so hard to establish.

In contrast, Veggie in the Holler was a rocking and ridiculous piece of pomp that was just wonderful to behold. Resplendent in a leather jacket and shades, Leonard wowed the audience with his song documenting Sharp’s trials as a vegetarian in a region that considered chicken to be a vegetable!

Steve took lead vocals with Kathryn on a song documenting Sharp’s legacy. As the tune came to a meditative crescendo Caroline read a list of some of the singers and the songs they sang for Sharp. It was incredibly atmospheric and simply beautiful.

If that wasn’t enough, the artists had found time to create material for an encore. It began with the second ever performance of Acton Scott Morris and Step, featuring a morris dance and some American step dancing. What they may have lacked in technique was more than made up for in enthusiasm, and it was wonderful to see the obvious fun they had had in the house to come up with dance as well as music.

The final song also displayed this playful side, detailing a dream Leonard had that imagined some improprieties between Sharp and Karpeles. Based in fiction it managed to be charming and amusing, with Steve taking on the role of Sharp, and all four ladies answering his calls with a coy "yes, Cecil".

It was a fitting end to a concert that demonstrated both immense talent, and huge and various creativity. It was obvious that the week in the house had been both productive and incredibly enjoyable. It was a joy to be able to share the obvious comradeship and musicality the artists had enjoyed.