Ismael Serrano - 17 December 2023

This was a gig I found after searching all the gigs in Bilbao and Santander for our holiday period. I got two of the last two pairs of tikets available - sitting on the last but one back row. The venue was a cultural centre in Getxo a town on the Bilbao metro line and it was a brilliant venue holding about a thousand I guess with good vision and sound for all. Ismael was a well known lefty singer songwriter who came on with a keyboards player and sang a couple of songs playing acoustic guitar. We didn't understand the lyrics but the songs were melodic and emotional and his voice was expressive in the way that Mediterranean singers often are. Probably after three songs or so there was a call from an audience member which the person behind translated for us as 'she is asking him if he can sing a happy song'. When he eventually called her up on stage and she was given a mic then it became clear this was a set up and that was confirmed when she turned out to have a great voice herself, joining in on the backing vocals at first. In reality we were witnessing a sort of play and the songs were punctuated in between by chats between the two of them. Of course we didn't get the detail but it was about a relationship developing and she (Julie Pasquall?) got to do more singing including lead vocals. Towards the end he did some of his most popular songs which provoked an audience response and we got an encore of course. What amazed me was that the show was about two and a half hours in total and it flew by. Always the sign of a good gig.

Ward-Thomas - 30th November 2023

This was a bit of a punt but turned out enjoyable. I am a sucker for sibling harmony and this was twins harmony. They were more mainstream than I expected but the two voices were excellent and the guitarist playing with them also very good. They reminded me a bit of First Aid Kit in the sound, a sort of home counties version anyway. First up was Tom Speight + Lydia?. She was actually a bit better than him but I guess it was his songs. He sang well enough but was a bit over confident and demanded that we sing and clap. Ward Thomas were Catherine on guitar and vocals, Lizzy on keyboards and vocals and a guitarist whose name I didn't catch. They had a great rapport on stage, sang very well about love and family and heartbreak etc I particularly liked it when the tempo was up - the song called 'Push for the Stride'where they let rip a bit was my highlight. Also the gentle encore song 'Deepest You' Other than that it was nice songs and great harmony singing and accompaniment, so a good evening all round.

Latin Quarter - 25 November 2023

A very special gig - Latin Quarter playing a 40th anniversary gig with a focus on the album 'Modern Times'. I had only seen them once in a pub in Leicester more than 30 years ago, before they disappeared off the touring scene. For this gig the rules didn't apply so we went all the way to London at a small standing venue ( the surprise was we got a seat!). The support act was a California band called 'The Tearaways' who may have imagined they were the Beach Boys but apart from an exceptional drummer they weren't very interesting. Latin Quarter included three original members with guitarist David Wright, Steve Jeffries on Keyboards and of course Steve Skaith on vocals and guitar. They had borrowed a bassist for the gig and there was a drummer. Both were good. They had also recruited a singer Mary Carew who had just the right vocals for Latin Quarter, pure and sweet but with emotion and force when needed. They kicked off appropriately in this war torn year with'Remember' and then straight into 'Modern Times'. Fabulous so far. The song choices were brilliant. I hardly expected to hear one of my later LQ favourites 'Bringing Rosa Home' and the choices from the even later LQ releases were also spot on. 'Nico' is a great song and the main set finished with 'Pantomime of Wealth' with an extended chorus of 'We are many they are few' sung by the audience until Steve had to stop them. But back to the classic songs from Modern Times - we got 'Toulouse' and 'No Ordinary Return' and of course 'Radio Africa' and 'There's No Rope as Long as Time' and 'The New Millionaires' and 'The Truth about John' - 8 out of 11 ain't bad when you add in the must-have encore 'America for Beginners'. What a way to end the show with a brilliant low-key guitar solo from David Wright. A cracking gig - thoroughly enjoyed

Saving Grace 15 November 2023

This was the fourth time we have seen Saving Grace and although it still seems like a newish Robert Plant project we first saw them more than four and a half years ago. Unlike the first time in a Monmouth school hall this was a very soon sold out gig where the best seats I could get were row P despite being online the second sales opened. The support was Scott Mathews, a singer songwriter from the states who had some interesting songs and was a good guitarist but whose vocals were unremarkable. Saving Grace had the same line up as when we last saw them with the brilliant Matt Worley on banjo and guitar and Tony Kelsey on guitar playing some lovely disonant solos plus of course Suzi Dian on vocals and various instruments and Oli Jefferson on drums. They started with a couple of traditional songs before two songs from Robert Plants back catalogue including 'Friends' from Led Zep days. Soon they handed over to Matt Worley to lead a gospelly song that for me was perhaps the highlight - an infectious rhythm, Robert and Suzi on backing vocals. Matt did something similar at the last gig with a Levon Helm song. There were a few of their preferred covers, 'Everbody's Song' from Low, 'House of Cards' from Richard Thompson, 'Angel Dance' from Los Lobos. All delivered with feeling and precision. Suzi's vocals are beautiful, all the musicians are pros. Great gig.

Nick Harper - 2 November 2023

This was another gig booked when the calendar looked a bit empty that has become part of a gig frenzy over the last few weeks. I am definitely glad we went - it was something different and very enjoyable. I last saw Nick Harper playing as part of father Roy's band decades ago. I knew he was a good guitarist but he was in fact very good. Some of it had a spanish ring to it, at other times it sounded like a rather more fluid version of Roy's style, there was some looping to build up some density as well. Patrick Duffy was the support and also played with Nick when he came on. He was enjoyable. Nick played a lot of stuff from his new album 'Tempus fugitive'. I liked it all but the title track and 'Davey Graham and Hedy Lamarr'were memorable. His singing was strong and unusual and good and at times reminded me of Roy - not a bad thing. A very different and interesting gig. I'd go back for more.

Albert Lee - 26 October 2023

This has become almost an annual event. Albert Lee returns to play at the Savoy most years - I guess he just likes to be on stage. It would be churlish not to pop into Monmouth to see him. The setlist doesn't vary much but he is 80 in December so it may be a bit late to be learning new stuff. The band was the same as last time with the Petrie brothers, Ali on keyboards gets a lot of space to show what he can do and his brother (Ian?) on bass. Good drummer as well. Albert's guitar playing is still amazing. For me it really hit the perfect fluid timing he has in the second half - I loved 'Spellbound'(a Paul Kennerley song) with the band tightly in the infectious rhythm and the Ray Charles penned Everley Bros song ('leave my woman alone'), 'Tear Stained Letter' featuring great solo stuff from Albert and Ali, 'Country Boy' - of course, and the final song of the night 'Tear it up' which he literally did. If he keeps coming back I'll keep going along.

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening - 25 October 2023

Kathryn Tickell does a great gig. I like the Nothumbrian pipes to start with but she does much more than play traditional Northumbrian music with influences both ancient and modern. There was a moving lament played on the pipes for the Sycamore Gap tree recently felled by vandals. There were songs based on latin written by occupiers of the North East. There was a jig from Shetland. There was all sorts. The band was really good. Steph Connor seemed to bring the ancient thread to the band - she played an assortment of lyres and sang some lovely vocals. Amy Thatcher was a star on the accordion also did some synth and vocals and, my fave, clog danced. Kieran Szifris was on guitar and mandolin. Joe Truswell on drums. 'Nemesis' was a memorable song of the latin variety. They finished with 'O-U-T spells out' with its chant like choruses. There was fiddle playing (also Kathryn) some lovely vocal harmonies between Steph and Amy with Kathryn joining in sometimes. Did I mention there was clog dancing? A great and different night out.

Larkin Poe - 17 October 2023

Sometimes you have to go to venues you don't like and Larkin Poe have done this to me before but they are always worth it. Two outstanding rock guitarists, a Southern USA bluesy background and sisterly harmonies. That's a winning combo. First up was The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon, Canada - good line up of twin lead guitars, keyboards bass and drums. They were OK. Larkin Poe took to the stage to the opening chords of 'White Room' - good entrance in my view. They stomped through a number of tracks from their new album 'Blood Harmony' plus a few covers including 'Jessica' (confirming my assertion earlier that day that they are sort of heirs to the Allman Bros!) and 'Preachin' Blues' (great choice). Rebecca's guitar playing is unusual - it's almost Springsteen like in its riffing and I love it. I loved 'Georgia off my mind' and 'Summertime Sunset' off the album. There was great energy and great guitar playing from start to finish and a brilliant acoustic set of three songs - again a couple of stonking songs from the new album ('Might as well be me' and 'Southern Comfort'). The first featured some soulful singing from Rebecca and both songs highlighted the slide from Megan. The third acoustic number was somewhat surprisingly 'Crocodile Rock'. Then it was back to high tempo southern rock for the rest of the set and an encore of the brilliant 'Deep Stays Down'. Brilliant - just brilliant.

Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company - 15 October 2023

The third of four gigs in a week all very different. Daniel came on solo and played a couple of guitar pieces - as expected pretty impressive technique and intricacy. Next came the two singers - I was particularly taken with the male voice. There was then a flamenco dancer and finally three further musicians - a violinist, a rhythm guitarist and a percussionist. I particularly enjoyed a piece a played that was either a Paco de Lucia composition or dedicated to him. Daniel was mumbling into his guitar mic so I couldn't be sure - I suspect it was a Paco piece. Th violinist got to feature later in the gig and she was also very good. The dancer fetured more in the second half and the whole show was excellent entertainment.

Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri - 13 October 2023

I probably wouldn't have booked this if I'd known I was going to end up booking others around it but I'm glad I did. An interesting singer witha history including lots of backing vocals and a spell signed to Motown. Surprisingly it was Carmelo who grabbed my attention as I hadn't heard of him but he was an excellent guitarist who played mostly acoustic and who would loop and switch between strumming picking and slide all within one song. The setlist flowed nicely - Kiki dispensed with 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' second track but even that was a different take to her big hit version. Covers included a Neil Young (Harvest Moon), Leonard Cohen (Dance me (to the end of love)) and a Kate Bush (Running up that hill). I loved a couple of songs they did in the second half of the gig, 'She's Smiling Now' and 'Can't Fix the Maybe', the latter an up tempo countryish song. She finished with 'I've got the music in me' and then an encore of 'Loving and Free' and 'Blackbird'. Good show.

Ron Block & Liam O'Kane 11/10/2023

It's a travesty that Ron Block should be playing infront of less than 50 people but I was very glad to be one of the 50. In fact the economics of assembling four musicians including one from the US in a small room in Cardiff for that size of audience is clearly not viable but I guess Ron Block just likes to play the banjo. Fellow banjoist Liam from N Ireland was also in the band as well as a bassist/moog guy and a rhythm guitarist. It was in fact a banjo fest. The first set was mainly Liam O'Kane songs but the Ron Block tune and a solo he played on one of Liam's songs were delightful. His astounding playing is both precise and delicate. The second set featured more of Ron's compositions. Highlights for me were 'Daisy's Dance', 'The Fiddler's Gun', 'Endless Wanderer'and 'EDB and Lady Grey'. Superb stuff.

Eddi Reader 5/10/2023

First up was Jack Badcock, a singer songwriter with some nice songs, an excellent singing voice and a lovely subtle and gentle guitar style. We enjoyed his set a lot. Eddi Reader came on with a band comprising John Douglas (guitar / vocals), Boo Hewerdine (guitar / vocals), Alan Kelly (accordion) and Kevin McGuire (bass). Eddi genuinely did not have a set list but the band were brilliant at coping. Alan Kelly listened to the first couple of minutes of one song that he told her he didn't know but then gradullay joined in as he picked it up. Boo casually changed a string during one song then joined in at a perfect moment. This was a genuinely relaxed band. Eddi performed a variety of song, a few from Fairground Attraction, 'Perfect','Comedy Waltz, and 'Find My Love', and a song from each of the band members (except the bassist). The highlight for me was a Mexican song close to the end which seemed to perfectly suit the blend of musicians. She finished with a long anecdote introducing the song 'Moon River' as sung by her mother at family gatherings. A nice start to our Autumn concert season.

Chaz Thoroughgood - -23 September 2023

Guitarist playing at a local village hall - worth an outing. He was a good guitarist but his vocals were a bit rough. He played a varied set including 'All Along the Watchtower', 'Crossroads' and 'Got my mojo working' but the gig veeered more and more to the populist as the evening progressed. I think he even played a Britney Spears song. I enjoyed 'watchtower' and 'Mojo' and 'Jumping Jack Flash' but I think he was a victim of audiences who may have never heard of him wanting something they could dance and sing along to

Catrin Finch & Cimarrón - 17th July 2023

Catrin Finch gigs are always a joy whoever she is working with and this time it was a revival of a long-standing collaboration with an indigenous band from Columbia - the Orinoco basin to be precise- who play a form of music known a joropo. This involves fast, percussive rhythms, some soulful singing and some stomping. The instruments were drums and bass, a harp, a bandola and a cuatro plus of course Catrin's welsh harp. The rhythms were intense, the musicianship outstanding and the singing full of drama and emotion. Cimarrón's singer Ana Veydó was the elder statesman of the band having been a founder decades ago and the younger musicians were part of a changing line up over the years. Having said that they were great musicians - the harp player had a distinctive style, the bandola player had amazing speed and skill - and all were given chances to solo during the gig. Ana came out to sing in several different cotsumes the last one involving a pair of giant red 'horns'. A very different and very enjoyable gig.

Cara Dillon - 9 July 2023

We've seen Cara Dillon a few times but that crystal clear soft voice always draws you back again. This was only the second time we saw her as a duo with husband Sam Lakeman. Previously there was more of a band or it was with Transatlantic Sessions. As ever it was a beautiful gig although her voice was, as she admitted, a bit croakier than usual. However there is croaky and there is Cara Dillon croaky and it was still a lovely sound. As usual the set was a mixture of traditional folky songs such as 'As I Roved Out' , 'Black is the colour (of my true love's hair) and 'The Water is wide' and her own compositions such as 'The Leaving Song', and the superb 'Hill of Thieves' which ended the main set. She also threw in a couple of her poems set to music. Sam Lakeman provided excellent accompaniment with both guitar and piano. The encore was as last time 'The Parting Glass'. A great finish.

Steve Earle - 22 June 2023

We've seen Steve Earle quite a few times starting in 2000 but the last time was nearly eight years ago so it was good to catch him at St Georges on his solo acoustic tour. First up was Roseanne Reid as support a singer songwriter we have seen and enjoyed before as a support act.Her songs are interesting, her voice pleasantly raspy and it was an enjoyable set. I did enjoy the one cover song she did, 'Bluebird' a Miranda Lambert song. Steve Earle ambled on stage and hit his stride early on singing 'Devil's Right Hand' followed by 'My Old Friend the Blues'. About half an hour in I really loved 'Taneytown' and a few songs later an outstanding version of 'Nashville Blues'. He played three instruments during the set a 6-string guitar, a 12-string and a mandolin. On all three he was impeccable and I am always struck at his concerts that he is an outstanding guitarist. No flash solos just rock solid perfection. His voice may be a little less compelling than it used to be but there is no dimunition of his guitar (and mandolin) playing. A lovely version of 'Transcendental Blues', a compelling mining disaster song 'It's about blood' and then the classics 'Galway Girl' and 'Copperhead Road' to finish the main set. The encore included another compelling narrative 'Billy Austin' and then a big finish with 'Jerusalem'. Probably the last time I'll get to see Steve Earle at close range (front row as per) and another impeccable performance from a master.

Bonnie Raitt - 15 June 2023

I was looking for somewhere to stay en route to Barnsley and I spotted that there was a single reasonable seat left in this gig in Symphony Hall so that settled it - Birmingham it was. First up was Gareth Dunlop - singer songwriter with some nice songs a second guitarist and a poor sound system. He was OK. Bonnie Raitt had a drums, bass, keyboards and lead guitarist to complement her slide guitar. She kicked off with 'Made Up Mind' from her most recent album and then did a range of songs from her repertoire carefully crediting the songwriter. 'No Business' a John Hiatt song was early in the set and the next song that really hit home was a Mali influenced song 'Back Around' that had a genuine West African feel about it. This is one of the best things about Bonnie Raitt she brings all sorts of influences into her music and makes them her own. The band helps - all excellent musicians (Ricky Fataar drums,James Hutchinson bass, Glenn Patscha, keyboards and Duke Levine, guitar. Glen in particular was a virtuoso keyboards player and was given plenty of chances to solo. A tribute to John Prine was her song 'Just Like That' and she was much taken with the fly that stayed on her wrist for the whole song and flew away at the end (I saw it go) relating it to the lyrics of John Prine's 'Angel from Montgomery' She did two excellent Bonnie Hayes songs written for the Raitt album 'Nick of Time' namely 'Love Letter' and 'Have a Heart'. The finish to the main set was exquisite - a version of 'Angel from Montgomery'that was her on acoustic with the band joining in and then brilliantly ' Burning Down the House'. The encore comprised a Mike Read song ' I can't make you love me', 'One Belief Away' and then a barnstorming finish covering B B King's 'Never Make Your Move Too Soon, Great slide guitar, great songs covered the Bonnie Raitt way, some excellent keyboards and vocals. That'll do nicely.

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - 8 June 2023

I wnet for this gig because I liked the sound of the offering which was essentially to hear the leading Ngoni player. This was a punt which paid off handsomely. Bassekou is an astinishing exponent of the four string Ngoni which he called the grandfather of the guitar and listening to him a number of guitar heroes would be astonished at his technical mastery of the tiny instrument. The band also featured a Bass Ngoni a Gourd type drum, a percussionist and a powerful vocalist Amy Sacko. Together they made a tight unit the drummer and percussionist never missing a beat and Bassekou playing some amazing stuff on top of it. The main vocalist Amy Sacko had an expressive powerful and very African voice. The opening song was magical - starting with some notes played from the green room and building as the musicians came on stage with a variety of sections within the lengthy opener and featuring some amazing ngoni lead playing from Bassekou. Probably the gig didi not quite reach those heights again but the whole show was brilliant from start to finish. Again at the end it was a great finish with the musicians leaving one by one until the two percussionists finished the show. The individual musicians were all given a solo platform with the percussionist stealing the show playing a tiny shoulder worn drum frenetically. The vocalist also ramped up her delivery for her solo shot and whilst I didn't knwo what she was saying precisiely I was feeling the emotions. Good call - great show.

Gretchen Peters 23 May 2023

This gig was part of her farewell tour and looking at her arthritic finger joints I don't blame her for not touring any more. She has always delivered top notch gigs so we were pleased to be sitting in the front row of St David's Hall for the show. First up was Kim Richey as for the last tour and she is a class act singing mostly her own songs with a clean strong vocal.

Gretchen came on with the same band as last year and the set was fairly similar as well. She kicked with 'Blackbirds' and then 'Witchita'. Her classic songs just kept coming 'The Matador, When all you got is a hammer', 'Pretty Things', the amazing 'Disappearing Act' and then a cover she has done before 'Guadaloupe'. I find it difficult to pick highlights but I really enjoyed 'Pretty Things' and 'Guadaloupe' and 'Disappearing Act' is just superb. In 'Everything Falls Away' which is perhaps my favourite on the night, there was a great soloing between Barry Walsh on Piano and Colm McClean on lead guitar. They alternated on extending playing which is something they did a few times during the gig. Both were excellent. Connor McCreanor on bass was also on the money and Kim Richey was brought out for backing vocals on a lot of the songs. Of course she did 'Five Minutes' before what was a very upbeat couple of covers to start the encore, 'Why you been gone so long' - a Mickey Newbury song followed by 'I ain't living long like this' - my favourite Rodney Crowell number. At the end she sang the old time 'One for my baby' accompianied by Barry and that was that. The sixth and final time I've seen Gretchen Peters and every time was outstanding.

Vri - 18 May 2023

A last minute decision to see this trio playing traditional Welsh music at the Borough Theatre in Aber paid off handsomely. On Violin and Viola and Harmonium there was Patrick Rimes who we have seen several times as a member of Calan. Also on Violin was Aneirin Jones and on Cello was Jordan Price Williams. They all also sang with some lovely harmony singing to accompany the tunes. There were a lot of songs featuring horses and one featuring farm machinery but as any vocals were in Welsh I can't give any details. All three are excellent musicians and this was a stunning gig in front of a three quarters full Borough Theatre audience. I'd definitely take in Vri again next time they come round.

Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi - 13 May 2023

We are stopping long journies to London or Birmingham for gigs as much as possible but there are exceptions and Rhiannon Giddens is one of them and it was nice to back in Birmingham Town Hall - a great if underused venue. First up was Phillipa Zawe a singer songwriter with a great voice and playing with a flautist and a cellist. I missed some of her set but she was an interesting act. Rhiannon Giddens kicked off with 'Calling Me Home' - that's the way to start a gig! The set list was wide ranging and interesting. There was a brilliant Italian ballad 'Quante stelle nel cielo con la luna' sung in the original language, a Cuban song sung in Spanish, instrumentals played on combinations of Viola and Banjo, Accordion and Viola and Drum with either Banjo or Viola, 'I shall not be moved', an obscure Paul Simon song, 'Underneath a Harlem Moon' etc. All this plus the main attraction the incredible voice and singing of Rhiannon. Just an outstanding and eclectic gig and already a contender for gig of the year.

The Beat - 6 May 2023

I decided last minute to see The Beat at the local theatre based really on a couple of their singles that I liked from the late seventies and found a single seat available at was pretty much a sold out gig. I knew that the Beat's vocalist Ranking Roger was no more but as his son had replaced him on vocals I thought that would be OK. I hadn't realised that the original drummer and sax player were also no more and that an original guitarist had his own version of the band based in the States. So what is left is probably more of a tribute band although that information is nowhere to be found even on the internet where the history of the band is referred to widely in the promotional material for the tour. Having said that the band were OK and the sax player was outstanding so the sound came across as pretty authentic although Ranking Junior's vocals left me unmoved. The audience had come for the memories and the dad dancing so they didn't care. I really enjoyed the long version of 'Mirror in the Bathroom' and one or two other tracks were good but overall I felt a little compromised by the line-up and the audience.

Katherine Priddy (+ George Boomsma) - 3 May 2023

We saw Katherine as support for Richard Thompson about 18 months ago and were impressed enough to take in her gig at the Acapela Studio. First up was George Boomsma who was a singer songwriter with a nice touch on the acoustic guitar. His voice was very good and it was a nice intro for the main act. He came back to accompany Katherine for most of her songs and with her beautiful vocals, very pure and clear and with him singing backing vocals and duets when called upon the whole sound was brilliant. He switched to electric guitar for her set and played an understated subtle guitar and she was pretty handy on the acoustic. She sang her own songs which had interesting themes and right from the getgo the songs were top notch. She started off with 'Wolf' from her album and indeed covered most of the tracks from it. Highlight for me was 'Eurydice' which I loved from the first time we saw and that was preceded by 'Icarus' another outstanding song from the Greek Myth collection. 'About Rosie' and 'Letter from a Travelling Man' were also memorable and this was another very good show and I will go again to see when she is next in town.

Royal South 6 April 2023

Another venture into a slightly different genre was this country duo based in America but she is from Texas and he is from Essex. He was a good guitar player, very precise and confident and her voice was slightly like Alison Krauss' in timbre (but not in AK's league of course). Their material was fairly standard country and western but not the tacky kind and was a nice mixture of original songs with some covers thrown in. I particularly liked the cover of a Maren Morris song called 'My Church' - never heard of her or the song before but I am now playing the original. They also covered 'Ring of Fire' but I sort of missed the Johnny Cash vocal and 'Jolene'. All in all an entertaining evening.

Safety Last! + live music - 1 April 2023

The Harold Lloyd classic silent film was much funnier than I remembered it but I am sure the trio playing the music were part of that. They were brilliantly in tune with the film, seamlessly so. They were The Stephen Horne Trio - piano, violin and percussion. A bravura performance. The film was being played in particular as it is exactly 100 years old pretty much to the day.

Turin Brakes - 12 March 2023

This was a bit of an experiment (like the previous Rheinhans Sisters gig) but when a big name appears at your local concert venue then it makes sense to go. Turin Brakes hit the airwaves when I was fifty, living in rural Leicestershire and not listening to the radio so I had largely missed out on them. They are a classic four-piece band in that they have vocalist/rhythm guitarist, lead guitarist, bassist and drummer. But first was Une an electronic music duo led by Mark Radcliffe with Paul Langley. I didn't take to their music particularly but Mark was very funny in the chat between songs. Turin Brakes payed a 20 song set with as many songs from their first album in 2001 as from their latest album in 2020. The songs and performance were good but the sound from a speaker set we could almost touch was too loud and too harsh. A shame but despite this there were some songs that really hit home. The first one was'World Like That' about half way through the set followed immediately by 'Long Distance' and then a few songs later by 'Black Rabbit' which ended the pre-encore set. All three featured the lead guitarist who really got going with these tracks. The five song encore also delivered a couple of excellent songs, 'Underdog(Save me)' and 'Feeling Oblivion'. The lead vocalist has a good singing voice and delivered without constraint. A good gig marred by the sound for those of us at the speaker.

Rheingans Sisters - 8 March 2023

Took a punt on this gig as I do like siblings singing harmony but actually they didn't do a lot of that. Mainly they played fiddle with occasional excursions into banjo, a whistle or a strange French stringed instrument played with a short wooden stick. It was very good, in the style of traditional folk (British, French and Swedish mainly) overlaid with a modern unusual delivery. I liked it a lot, it dragged you in. But first we had a surprise pre gig show in the cafe from the Bristol Folk Singers an acapella choir who gave us a few songs whilst we ate. That was nice. The Rheingans played mostly from their latest album, played mostly as a fiddle duo and sang on some of the songs. Both had nice pure voices and a hypnotic fiddle style that I enjoyed. Anna R lives in France and contributed some French songs and had spent time in Sweden so we also had some from there. We had actually seen Rowan R before at St Georges as part of a band playing with Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita. The gig was something a bit different to the usual and I would go and see them again.

Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain - 27 Feb 2023

Catrin Finch is always excellent and she likes to collaborate so this was always certain to be a great gig. Aoife Ní Bhriain turned out to be a superb Irish fiddler with a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle (amongst others) that has nine strings (four to play and five to resonate). The music was perfect from start to finish with the two musicians perfectly attuned and some interesting influences, definitely traditional Welsh Irish and Breton music for starters. The tunes were all new in that the duo were about to set off to the studio to record them. They all began with the letter W and Wine whcih started the second half was the highlight for me. Some interesting changes in pace and volume, virtuouso playing from both, ever more clamorous riffs from the harp and some scratchy fiddle playing included, it was an epic track. But every song was great - can't wait for the album to come out.

The Black Angels - 25 February 2023

I couldn't resist a Black Angels concert even in a standing crowded venue two days before a Catrin Finch gig. Those loud insistent dissonant guitars, the drones, the driving drums - what's not to like? It didn't disappoint. I've not kept up with some of the more recent releases and the personnel changes but that driving sound is still there and Chrsitian Bland's exquisite lead guitar still prominent. New to me was guitarist Jake Garcia who was also excellent and he took turns playing bass as well as guitar. Stephanie Morrel's drumming as forceful as ever and Alex Maas' distinctive vocals plus Ramiro Verdooren on bass/guitar/synth/harmonica made up the always full-on sound. They didn't waste any time and although the set was only 70 minutes, the extended encore took the gig to about 100 minutes long. And they finished with 'Young Men Dead' the first track off their first album which was always one of their best. Good stuff and on to Catrin Finch tomorrow.

Transatlantic Sessions - 9 February 2023

This was our eighth Transatlantic Sessions gig, the first being in 2010. Last year's gig was unfortunately without Aly Bain due to illness so it was great to see the greatest Scottish fiddler back again. His playing is both effortless and powerful and a joy to lsiten to. John McCusker was also on fiddle as usual and there was also a young fiddler from Canada, Tatiana Hargreaves who also did the business fiddle-wise. As usual the gig started with the house band - a tune called 'Waiting for the Federal' and then brought on the first vocalist Amythyst Kiah. She had a powerful voice and a country style guitar backing for her first song and then played banjo on her second. A great start was followed by a young duo, Allison de Groot (Banjo) and Tatiana Hargreaves who played a couple of 'old time' traditional style tunes and played them very well. Next up was John Doyle doing an Eoin McColl song and then what was for me the surprise of the evening, Martha Wainright. I had pegged her as a typical singer songwriter quietly singing sad songs but none of that - she was dynamic and upfront and did a brilliant version of a brilliant song (Going Back to Harlen) written of course by her aunt Anna McGarrigle and then a Tom Waitt's song. The guy who had been sitting at the front of the stage occasionaly playing a bodrhan and seeming a bit weird turned out to be Liam Ó Maonla singer from The Hothouse Flowers and he did a couple of numbers and it turned out he could sing very well! Last of the guest vocalists was one of the highlights for me who always sings beautifully, Karen Matheson and she did the business as usual starting with a sad song called 'I will set my ship in order' and then followed that with a Gaelic song. Great stuff and the end of the first half. The second half started with a real treat - Jerry Douglas doing his version of 'While my guitar gently weeps' with contributions from Michael McG and others. There was mainly just one more song from most of the vocalists, a great set of tunes from McCusker et al and at some point there was an air from Phil. A good song from Liam Ó Maonla telling us not to worry and of course some outstanding tunes from Aly with assistance from the other fiddlers. Another great eveing with the Transatlantic Session crowd.

Smith and Brewer - 9 February 2023

This was a pre-gig gig in that it was in the 'foyer' of the Symphony Hall an hour before the Transatlantic Sessions gig. Two guitarists singer/songwriters. Both were good acoustic guitarists albeit Brewer played most of the interesting solo stuff playing with slightly unexpected rhythm and harmony (like the sort of approach that you get with Jerry Garcia) whilst Smith banged out precision rhythm at some speed. I enjoyed the gig a lot - the songs themselves were fine and interesting enough and the vocals and the harmonising was good. I'd go and see them locally if they turned up around here.

Notting Hillbillies - 13th May 1997

One of the many times we have had the pleasure of seeing Mark Knopler. I don't recollect the specific songs he played although many were from their album. I do recollect deep enjoyment at the music and surprise that MK had somehow lowered his profile after the hugeness of Dire Straits who ended up as possibly the biggest rock band around. There we were in an uncrowded Derby Assembly Rooms a couple of years after Dire Straits finally jacked it in listening to some glorious music from one of the best guitarists around ably assisted by a great band. Mark Knopfler - Guitar, vocals Steve Phillips - Guitar, vocals Brendan Croker - Guitar, vocals Guy Fletcher - Keyboards, vocals Marcus Cliffe - Bass Ed Bicknell - Drums

Klezmerish - 5 February 2023

First gig of the year was a return to the Acapela Studio a cosy venue where they serve Pizzas before the gig. Klezmerish were a band with four accomplished musicians who it turned out each had a different musical interest and the combined effect worked well. The Double bassist was the Klezmer specialist and the first quarter were largely Klezmer songs - so far so great. Thye Saxophonist was into East European music and played a Romanian dance tune with the Accordianist as a duo. The Accordianist was deep into Tango and the second set started with four Tango songs - two Piazzolla and two from someone whose name I didn't catch. Like the Klezmer section they were superb. The Guitarist was into Jazz Guitar and he was very adept at this albeit I preferred the Klezmer and the Tango sections. He also foolishly did a version of 'Dance me to the End of Love' which was not to my liking. All in all - an excellent evening of music in a nice atmosphere. We return to the Acapela at the end of the month.