'Sweet Home Quarantine' online show on StageIt.com
All Beatles and solo Beatle songs

Review by Steve McGowan from Zub Records
I’ve been following Robyn and Em’s streaming shows from the beginning, using the StageIt platform (www.stageit.com). This one had to be one of the best: an all-Beatles request show. The streaming on my end was terrible, so I missed the first song, ‘Back In The U.S.S.R.’ and only caught the end of what sounded like a beautiful ‘Dear Prudence.’ They were both singing and Emma remarked that Robyn was singing too loud in her ear, to which Robyn commented on his fresh breath and proclaimed it “A Minty Loudness.”

Adrienne: I did catch Back in the U.S.S.R., which was upbeat and energetically heart-felt. Later in the show, Em confessed this was her “request,” which Robyn took as a fairly stealthy way to start the show. “Dear Prudence” featured beautiful harmonies by the pair, a song that supports their blended voices perfectly.

The duo stuck into ‘She Loves You’: fun, upbeat, and irresistible. After the song Reg remarked that this was The Beatles period “before the drugs, when they were full of pep.” Perry the stuffed Lobster made an appearance, then they played a stunning version of George Harrison’s ‘Something,’ Robyn really getting all the licks in on his acoustic and Emma singing this one solo, beautifully. The twosome appeared very relaxed in their living room, particularly Robyn, who seemed to be in his element with the material.

At this point, Emma left to get tea, and Reg played a nice solo version of ‘Things We Said Today.’ After he got a cup of tea and they did a very cool version of ‘Old Brown Shoe,’ the end of which was highlighted by their one-eyed Scottish Fold cat, Tubby, appearing on the back of the couch. After some parading of Tubby, Reg and Em did a wonderful version of ‘Across The Universe.’ It was really poignant and strong. They then attempted a Wings tune, ‘Band On The Run,’ which had a lengthy interruption in the middle as the two talked. The lyrics about being “stuck inside of four walls” were very apt.

Next up, a Ringo solo tune, they did a moving version of ‘Photograph,’ giving the song extra gravitas, something Ringo’s slightly ponderous version doesn’t seem to tap. Then came ‘A Day In The Life,’ a surprisingly good cover for just two voices and an acoustic guitar. They shouted out to all the health care workers, grocery workers, and other essential workers. Robyn and Em finished up with a stellar version of ‘The Ballad Of John And Yoko,’ and the show was over. There’s no doubt that this music is in Robyn’s DNA, he seemed at ease with all the songs and even the hard guitar bits. Emma Swift is a terrific singer and stood out, especially on ‘Something.’ I can’t wait to hear what they do next.


Online review by Mark My Words
The 6th installment of Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift’s at-home concert series, titled “Sweet Home Quarantine,” was an all-Beatles show. It aired on April 22, 2020. Robyn and Emma’s shows can be viewed through the Stageit website. Hitchcock has always been an acolyte of the Fab Four’s psychedelic years, and it was a pleasure to hear him examine their back catalogue. Lest you think that it was all “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and Lennonesque surrealism, the setlist had a few surprises in store.

Robyn and Emma opened with “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” which I certainly wasn’t expecting. It was delightful, and it segued into the second song, the always lovely “Dear Prudence,” a nice match for Hitchcock’s guitar playing and voice. I wasn’t expecting Robyn to play anything pre-Rubber Soul, but he threw in “She Loves You,” which sounded fab and gear. Emma then got her solo turn for a beautiful take on George Harrison’s “Something.” The more I hear Robyn and Emma sing together, the more I’m hoping for a duets album, or a solo Emma Swift album. Or both!

Robyn did a lovely version of another Paul song, “Things We Said Today,” one of those album tracks that would have been a hit single for a lesser band. Next up was another George song, “Old Brown Shoe,” another one of those hidden Beatle gems. Robyn and Emma sang a lovely version of John’s “Across the Universe,” and then Robyn threw us all a real curveball when he and Emma sang “Band on the Run.” What, Robyn Hitchcock singing Wings? But it worked very well. They also sang another post-Beatles tune, “Photograph,” a big hit for Ringo that he co-wrote with George. Robyn and Emma did “A Day in the Life,” which worked surprising well, even without the orchestral climaxes. I’m so used to hearing “A Day in the Life” end with the big crescendo and that final crashing chord that it was jarring to just hear it suddenly end with Robyn and Emma singing “I’d love to turn you on.” The show closed with “The Ballad of John and Yoko.” It was 50 minutes of excellent music and groovy times.