Saving Grace - 17 December 2021

An outing to Monmouth to see Robert Plant and the band seemed like a good option just before the Omicron wave shuts down the country. I stumbled across this gig just before it sold out and this third time of seeing Saving Grace was just as brilliant as the previous two. First up was Scott Mathews who I didn't really take to - he had an original style and perhaps his songs were well constructed but somehow the vocals didn't really hack it for me. Maybe he just needs a better sound system. Saving Grace played a number of songs that I had heard from them previously but I think they have improved the delivery and seemed closer as a band. They are all excellent musicians and Suzie Dian's singing is electric. Her singing of Patty Griffin's 'Standing in the Shadow of the Hill' is perfection and that was pehaps the highlight of the gig. Having said that 'Season of the Witch' is always a highlight and there were superb understated guitar solos from Matt Worly and Tony Kelsey on that. 'Angel Dance' is great and of course 'Move Along Train' (a Levon Helm cover) which was sung by guitarist/banjo/cuatro player Matt Worley was also brilliant. Not to forget 'House of Cards' (R Thompson) which was also superb. Other songs continued the trawl through Americana including a song from Ralph Stanley's catalogue 'Two Coats' ( a Bluegrass legend I've found out), a cover of 'Ohio' (another Patty Griffin song), 'Everybody's Song' (a Low Cover), 'Gospel Plow' (a Bob dylan track I didn't know). Another excellent Suzie Dian vocal was on 'I don't wanna hear it'from a New Orleans singer called Betty Harris that Robert Plant recommended to us all. Well that's it until at least 2 February but whether the Transatlantic Sessions tour goes ahead then is anyone's guess.

Frazey Ford - 22/11/2021

Despite pandemics, unmasked English people and a standing gig, Frazey Ford trumps all three issues and so I found myself masked and distanced as best I could in an old prison converted to a music venue in a Bedminster industrial estate. She had a five piece band with Frazey on vocals guitar and keyboards, Darren Parris on bass, Leon Power on drums, Craig McCaul on lead guitar and Caroline Ballhorn on backing vocals. From moment one Frazey's compelling vocals were immaculate and inspiring. No one sings like her, squelching almost every word into a vocal cry. I loved every song and every minute. Shame on the people at the bar who had come to drink and talk! Early on she played my current favourite track from 'U kin B the Sun' which is 'U and Me'the power in those incomprehensible lyrics and simple chord changes is uplifting. The backing vocals from Caroline are just superb and on occasion the bassist and drummer chime in as well. A great vocal soundscape. Frazey played 'Done' of course which got a big response but much as I enjoyed that the finishing tracks of her set and the encore were stupendous. The penultimate song from the main set was the outstanding 'September Fields' followed (I think) by 'Holding It Down' and then the encore was the perfect 'Weather Pattern' followed by the best track on her first album 'Firecracker' and then the elegaic 'U Kin B the Sun' - poor spelling but a beautiful song. In essence a genius gig. I'd love to hear her in a quiet seated venue - maybe one day!

Richard Thompson - 1 November 2021

First up was Katherine Priddy who was new to me but was an excellent singer songwriter with understated songs full of emotional content and a interesting folky vocal style. I particualrly liked 'Eurydice', dark and powerful. Richard Thompson came on with just an acoustic guitar - this is perhaps my favourite RT gig - he doesn't need guitar changes or roadies - just give him an old guitar and he will show what an amazing guitarist he is. He seems to play combinations of chords and melodies that no-one else thinks of and he completes a whole soundtrack effortlessly. Less full music can be heard with a whole band on stage. I didn't know all of the songs he played - there were three new ones plus a couple of older tracks I didn't recognise but mostly this was a fascinating trawl through his amazing back catalogue. Early on we had 'Turning of the Tide followed by 'Beeswing' followed by 'I misunderstood' followed by 'Walking on a wire', each song incorporating intricate guitar passages of brilliance. Just stupendous. Later in the set he did 'Vincent Black Lightning', 'Wall of Death' and 'I want to see the Bright Lights Tonight'. In amongst these songs was a super new song called 'The Fortress' which sounds like it might be another RT classic. 'Meet on the Ledge' was the first encore, a new song 'Tinker's Rhapsody' followed by 'The Storm Won't Come' was the second encore. From 'Wall of Death' onwars there was a backing singer 'Zara Phillips' on with him. This being only the fourth gig since everthing closed in March 2020 it was perhaps extra special but Richard Thompson gigs always are.

Albert Lee - 21 October 2021

Another chance to see Albert Lee at our local old theatre The Savoy so absolutely not to be missed even in pandemic times. Having seen him in 2017 and 2019 it seems he is on a two year touring cycle despite the fact he will be 78 in December. He came on looking his age and trying to sort out his guitar and setlist. I was wondering about him but as soon as his fingers starting whizzing up and down the frets I relaxed. His set from memory was pretty much unchanged from the last time we saw him here, 'Wheels' and the impeccable 'Luxury Liner' from Gram Parsons, a couple of Rodney Crowell songs, a couple of Crickets songs ('Well All Right' and 'Rocking with Ollie Vee'), 'Tear Stained Letter' from Richard Thompson, 'Highwayman' from Jimmy webb (at the keyboards). Basically he played songs from all the people he had worked with and he had an astonishing career from playing in bars with Don Everley to his time with The Crickets, The Everley Brothers, Gram Parsons and Emmy-Lou Harris and on and on. The only time he seemed less than happy about was the five years touring with Clapton but he let off a brief phrase from Layla at one point as he finished a song. The band were a bassist and drummer whose names I didn't catch and his son Wayne Lee on keyboards ' for the last two weeks of the tour' apparently. All were good but of course the star of the show was Albert and in particular when he let loose in his inimitable fast picking style on 'Luxury Liner', 'Leave My Woman Alone' (Ray Charles), 'Tear Stained Letter', Tear it up' and of course 'Country Boy'. Classy gig - for his age unbelievable.

Karine Polwart - 13 October 2021

Our second of the normally distanced postponed gigs, following Kathryn Tickell and after giving Eddie Reader a miss. As with the last time we saw here she played in a trio with Steven Polwart on guitar and Inge Thompson on Accordion plus a range of other small instruments from electric drums to triangles. The music was somehow both complex and gently soothing at the same time. A blend of simple instrument sounds and voices blended beautifully. The set list was varied and interesting - a lot of songs that Karine wrote or co-wrote but also some covers including a song (probably called 'Heavenly Shore') from Michael Marra, a Scot Hutchinson, Frightened Rabbit song , 'Swim until you can't see Land' and a stupendous version of 'Video Killed the Radio Stars'. The song that most hit home to me was her version of the Sydney Carter classic 'The Crow on the Cradle'. Of her songs 'Follow the Heron Home' was brilliant and she did a 'cover version' of Bruce Molsky's cover version of her own song 'Daisy' which was lovely. Inge's strange solo song was also very enjoyable a mixture of a song featuring unusual singing and voices and a sort of reel or jig. All in all very enjoyable.

Kathryn Tickell - 29 March 2007

I remember the feel of the gig which was very much based on traditional Northumbrian music, I remember the village hall in Wymesold, Leicestershire and I remember her brother, Peter, was in the band as he was wearing a Newcastle shirt but I couldn't place any individual tunes. Kathryn played Norhtumbrian Pipes and also fiddle, Peter played fiddle and guitar and it was a very enjoyable gig. That is all I can say at 14 years distance although I liked it enough to go and see her new band at St Georges a couple of days ago and in that it served me very well.

Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening - 30 September 2021

A first venture to a normally distanced gig after eighteen months of no live music except for the distanced Catrin Finch/Seckou Keita gig in June. More interesting musically than I expected - my previous Kathryn Tickell gig back in 2007 in a village hall in Leicestershire was much more traditional Northumbrian music. At the same time the influences were clearly deeply Northumbrian with much made of her current obsession with Hadrian's Wall and her playing the majority of the tunes on her pipes with a fair amount of fiddle thrown in. The band were excellent and it was a great musical line-up. Amy Thatcher on accordion (and clogs) was outstanding and Steph Conner on keyboards, lyres and vocals had a great voice for the music despite being a late recruitment for the tour. It was impressive how she was integrated into the band with her distinctive approach and also range of lyres. The guitarist/ lute player Kieran Szifris and drummer Joe Trusswell kept up the standard but in essence the gig was centred on the three women concocting a heady mix of ancient and modern Northumbrian influenced music. Memorable songs included Old Stones / Holy Island Jig,O-U-T spells out with its harmonising vocals, Nemesis, a ancient inspired song and also an eighties-style poppy song whose title I forget. And of course the clog dancing which we could really appreciate from the front row just a few short feet away from the action. Not forgetting the beautiful sound of the Northumbrian pipes which much as I love the Scottish bagpipes is in the end the better sounding instrument, unless you're marching off to war.

Nanci Griffith - 22 April 2005, 3 July 2006, 15 July 2007

I'm struggling to separate out these three Nanci Griffith gigs (RIP), all held in Birmingham, the first two at Symphony Hall and the last at Alexandra Theatre. I know the last was a 'Ruby's Torch' tour supporting that album, so it definitely included the exquisite 'Late Night Grand Hotel' which is my favourite of her songs and almost certainly 'You'll Never Be the Sun'. Nanci generally provides a great mix between songs from her latest album and those brilliant classics from her back catalogue 'Across the Great Divide' and 'Speed of the Sound of Loneliness' as well as her self-written classics such as 'Lone Star State of Mind', 'Love at the Five and Dime' and 'Ford Econoline'. Always a joy to hear her live, a great songwriter and singer who we had the pleasure of seeing half a dozen times.

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita - 5 June 2021

A real live gig - the first for 15 months as Covid cases decrease and socially distanced concerts start. A great gig to break the big silence - music to bathe the soul from the masters of strings. It was fairly short - just over an hour and it was stuff we had heard before but it was a delight. And the audience roared their appreciation through prolonged applause. They started with Clarach, my favourite of their pieces and continued mostly with stuff from that album (Soar). 'Bach to Baisso' was superb and joyous. '1677' was delightful. The whole thing was just what was needed. Now back to the homestead and hopefully the gigs start again in September .

David Byrne - 25 September 1994

Having missed out on seeing Talking Heads, the chance to see David Byrne a few years after the band broke up was absolutely not to be missed. It was a stunning gig and it featured loads of Talking Heads classics plus a number of David Byrne solo tracks. The setlist is from the following night's concert but knowing David Byrne, I doubt that our set was much different and I suspect it was identical. I was really impressed with his vocals live, more than I expected. Other than that the gig was bang up to spec - and that's a good thing. A Long Time Ago God's Child (Baila conmigo) (Selena cover) My Love Is You Girls on My Mind And She Was Road to Nowhere Cool Water (Nothing but) Flowers This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) Don't Worry About the Government Lilies of the Valley Stay Up Late Moonlight in Glory I Zimbra Strange Ritual Dirty Old Town Back in the Box Once in a Lifetime Angels You & Eye Encore: Buck Naked Psycho Killer Encore 2: Ready for this World Burning Down the House

Bob Dylan (+ Elvis Costello) - 29 March 1995

This gig at The Brixton Academy was when Dylan still gave good concert and he ranged through his enormous back catalogue and of course every song is brilliant. First off though the support was Elvis Costello. I think this must have been the first time I had seen him live since that memorable gig on Hastings Pier in 1980 and it was when I realised that he was an interesting act live. Always with new stuff to play, although to be fair fifteen years is a reasonable time to write new stuff! I really enjoyed his set and then we had Dylan, in good voice and good form and singing some of my particular favourites such as 'I want you', 'It takes a Lot to laugh...' and 'Boots of Spanish Leather'. What's not to like. Down in the Flood I Want You All Along the Watchtower Just Like a Woman Tangled Up in Blue It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Mr. Tambourine Man Boots of Spanish Leather Don't Think Twice, It's All Right Dignity She Belongs to Me Maggie's Farm Encore: Ballad of a Thin Man It Ain't Me, Babe Like a Rolling Stone

John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells 21/05/1983

There used to be a thing where a number of the very best American Blues musicians, unable to get proper recognition in the States would come over to the UK as a package show and over the years I saw quite a few of them and heard some amazing blues. This particular package included John Lee Hooker who was perhaps the biggest draw, but also two of the very cream of Blues guitarists in Albert King and Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, a top notch harp player who regularly played and recorded with Buddy Guy. I can't say I can recollect this particular show in any detail but just re-reading the cast list for this show at my favourite venue, the Hammersmith Odeon sends a shiver of pleasure. John Lee Hooker was an amazing blues singer, Albert King an untutored but visceral guitarist and Buddy Guy - just amazing.

B B King - 4 July 2001

This gig at the Demontfort Hall was the last time I saw B B King who was then in his late seventies, having previously seen him in the UK, Spain and in Memphis, Tenessee. His age did not diminish his plaintive guitar style nor his usual friendly interaction with the audience. He was a large dignified figure who commanded respect - and still a great guitarist. As to the set, he of course played 'The Thrill is Gone' and he also played one of my favourite blues standards 'Key to the Highway'. Other than that it was a standard blues set and I don't recollect the band.

Runrig - 4/6/2001

This was a further Runrig gig at The Royal Centre Nottingham getting on for five years after the amazing 95 and 96 gigs. There was one huge difference, Donnie Monroe had left and been replaced as Lead Vocalist by Bruce Guthro. He is OK as a vocalist but he is of a somewhat similar style and for me it just doesn't work. Something major is lost. I actually like Roray MacDonald's vocals but he is definitely second vocalist. I couldn't remember whether Pete Wishart had also left by the 2001 gig. I must assume so as he was elected a few days later as an MP and so he must have been on the campaign trail by then. Of course the rest of the baqnd were still great, of course the songs, with several excellent additions released since the 96 tour were great but certainly something was missing. Intro The Stamping Ground Wall Of China Saints Of The Soil Book Of Golden Stories A Dh'Innse Na Firinn Protect And Survive One Thing Big Songs Of Hope And Cheer Leaving Strathconon The Engine Room Dust Pride Of The Summer / Edge Of The World Sabhal Aig Neill What Time The Stamping Ground Flower Of The West The Message Cnoc Na Feille Maymorning ---------- The Summer Walkers Skye ---------- Loch Lomond Going Home

Runrig - 13/11/1995 and 27/11/1996

I have to record these gigs together as at this distance they merge in my mind - a year apart in the Nottingham Royal Centre they are a bit of a blur. These were the first times I saw Runrig having been introduced to their music around ten years previously (by the current leader of the SNP in Westminster!) The MacDonalds are talented songwriters and musicians, Malcolm Jones a great guitarist and Pete Wishart (now also an SNP MP) an excellent keyboard player but it is the amazing voice and singing of Donny Monroe that really made the gigs so special. What a singer and how well the vocals work with the outstanding songs whether in English or Gaelic. It was a privilege to see Runrig in their pomp. The 1995 gig was the tour following the release of Mara and so featured a lot of the songs on that album as well as stuff from the back catalogue. The set list is shown below. The 1996 gig was more of a 'best of' set list including the superlative 'Protect and Survive'. Set list also shown below. Day In A Boat Nothing But The Sun City Of Lights Rocket To The Moon Road And The River The Mighty Atlantic Ard Edge Of The World Meadhan Oidhche Air An Acairseid Thairs Air A Ghleann The Greatest Flame The Dancing Floor Healer In Your Heart (Stepping Down) The Glory Road Dance Music Skye / Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh The Wedding Siol Ghoraidh Only The Brave Alba ---------- Flower Of The West ---------- The Highest Apple Loch Lomond Stepping Down The Glory Road Hearthammer Canada Ard The Greatest Flame The Mighty Atlantid Edge Of The World Meadhan Oidhche An Ubhal As Airde The Crowded River Always The Winner Protect And Survive Pride Of The Summer Rocket To The Moon Siol Ghoraidh / Tharais Air a Ghleann Flower Of The West Only The Brave Alba ---------- Skye ---------- Hearts Of Olden Glory Loch Lomond