A few Cornish cognoscenti would know who I was on about if I mentioned the line-up of Helm, Asda, Lorenzo and Bronson, although the recognition factor would rise exponentially if I gave their collective name, SMALL WONDER.


I first heard them together at a new pub last summer but was dragged there after a meeting and didn't know they were on, but they soon claimed my attention until they climaxed with a roof-raising version of Bohemian Rhapsody.

I promised myself I'd catch them again but failed to redeem until this week, a delay which they soon caused me to regret.

In a lively first set, Helm led dynamically throughout on keys and vocals, including a lively percussion duet with Bronson. There was more than a touch of African rhythm which kept me boogieing.

After the break, Asda featured with a fine guitar solo on "You're Indestructible" and, with Lorenzo, laid down some excellent funk - more please.

The repertoire varied from Paul Simon, through Abba and Tom Jones (nothing tacky) to a rousing finale of "With a Little Help from My Friends", the whole being driven with stick and wellie by Bronson in their typical high-octane style.

As well as being fine instrumentalists they're great entertainers with some hilarious stagecraft! Highly recommended.


TiGeR 17.4.01




"