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.