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Sunday 2nd February 2025

Review, photos and videos by Keith Belcher

Lewis ‘Burner’ Pugh gave us a very strong opening set this evening. His songs particularly struck a chord with me because my dad was conscripted into the coal mines during the war and he also told me that he had demonstrated against Oswald Mosely. Lewis has strong song writing and performance skills. A very strong and strong performer. Good voice and guitar work too. I wouldn’t mind seeing him given his own TLR show.

Yes, Lewis had a very impressive voice and another great guitarist. Loved his songs with the mix of his own and from other, older writers. His own writings reminded me of how people used to get the news of local events from the ‘broadsheets’ or ‘broadsides’, in that he related stories of disaster, murder and retribution or communities rising against those con artists who most definitely didn’t have their best interests at heart. All done with a very human aspect.

Ron and Hilary at The Live Room have wanted Parker at Saltaire for a long time. He didn’t disappoint. A solo show, one man, one guitar, a great bunch of songs and a fantastic voice. He was pleased to announce that his shows so far, had all been sell outs. He’d travelled down from Edinburgh , going the scenic route and seeing many multi coloured sheep en route which intrigued him. Far better than branding as they do in the States , he said. His songs are very observant and heartfelt. His diction while either talking or singing is crystal clear. Its a real asset for a songwriter. A lot of the crowd were attending TLR for the first time. He had drawn people in from far and wide and stating it again , he didn’t disappoint. I would say everyone left feeling very satisfied, nay , very happy.

There was a couple sitting next to my videoing perch who obviously knew his music far better than I did. From the oohs and aahs they were in raptures throughout the show and I guess this was a feeling shared by many in the audience. When he sang Palisade towards the end of the show they upped and did a slow dance, oblivious to the room.

Great guitar work and a truly passionate soulful voice which could go from zero on the scale to 11 (in true Spinal Tap fashion). He opened the show with Your Water, a song he has duetted with the great Sarah Jarosz . He has extremely good taste in his female collaborators . On his new album he also duets with the very wonderful Gillian Welch on the title track, Wilderness Within You. The songs were old and new, soft and powerful, ranging from his first album Palisade to the latest, Wilderness Within You, there was also a superb Van the Man cover as well. He finished with a new , as yet unreleased song , Before The Curtain Closes .

This was a truly great show by a magnificent singer, writer and performer. I’d love to spend far more time reviewing to do it justice but take my word for it , go and see him and you won’t be disappointed. There was a serious queue for merch and many, many requests for photos with Parker. It would be fair to say that the TLR crowd would really like him to return.