Alaw - 21/4/2017

Alaw is Welsh for melody and the three members of the band are stalwarts of the local Celtic music scene although this gig was ust the other side of the Wye in Brockweir. This particular trio is led by Oli Dickson-Wright on fiddle supported by Jamie Smith on accordion and Dylan Fowler on guitar. Mabon on the other hand who we saw a couple of years ago are led by Jamie supported by Oli. Dylan we saw a few weeks ago playing a Celtic guitar concert with a Scot and a Breton. The three of them in a small village hall are a delight. Masterly musicianship, lots of warm energy and ambience and the particular brand of Celtic music that is Welsh Celtic music is grand entertainment. There are jigs and reels aplenty but also slower more plaintiff pieces. Dylan's solo guitar tunes that started the second half were a joy - the first part of it was in a Breton style and named after Soig Siberil (the aforementioned Breton guitarist). Lord Canaervon's Jig (that actually wasn't a jig) was memorable too but in fact the whole gig was at a constantly high level. Alaw played stuff from their first album and newer stuff from their upcoming album. Just a great gig and all for £8 and 5 mile drive.