John McCusker - 16 October 2022

Fell upon this gig and the venue fortuitously ten days or so before it happened after a two year Covid delay. And the venue (Acapela Studio near Cardiff) serve pizzas as well! The gig was a 30-years-a-muso tour for John McC who we have seen a numbers of times in different bands (Transatlantic Sessions, Mark Knopfler, trio with McGoldrick and Doyle) and who always delivers a dynamic fiddle performance. The five piece band was from all over these islands; Ian Carr from Wales, Helen McCabe from Co Monaghan, Sam Kelly from Norfolk and Toby Shaer from Scotland. All turned out to be excellent musicians. The tunes played were largely ones that had not been played for a while according to John. They also gave Sam Kelly the opportunity to lead on four songs, very folky stuff and he is a really good singer. I particularly enjoyed his song in the Cornish Language (Let it Rain). Basically it was all great stuff and done in lovely humour with great banter in the band and with the audience. I remember a tune for his daughter (Jessica's tune?) and there was a piece written with Phil Cunningham that had both their fingerprints on it and a lovely sad tune called 'Leaving Friday Harbour' but this was high standard stuff with a small audience in an intimate setting. Nothing better.

Albert Lee - 29 September 2022

Albert seems to include a gig at the Savoy regulalrly now which is brilliant. The set does not vary much but the band is good especially the keyboards player whose brother is on bass. The gig takes off with a Carl Perkins song 'Restless' and amongst the highlights are 'Luxury Liner' and in the second half 'Country Boy' of course. The guitar playing is still ferociously fast and precise despite the 78 years of age. Apart from the great guitar playing more time was afforded to the keyboards and his solos and playing was excellent. Song writers are all credited, each gig features more comments on an amazing career that went from Chris Farlowe via Head Hands and Feet to the Crickets, the Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmy lou and so much more. Great night out.