Blog

Jul 19 2022

Fellow Pynins

Friday 15th July 2022

Photos by Martin Lingard

It’s always heart warming when an artist exceeds your expectations and Friday was yet another example.

Oregon-based duo, Fellow Pynins – Dani Aubert, vocals, banjo and Bouzouki, and Ian George, vocals, guitar and mandolin – were quite simply outstanding. Playing a mix of their own compositions and traditional songs learned directly from other musicians from the UK and USA, they mesmerised the audience with their beautiful harmonies and exquisite playing. They were also very funny, telling stories of their travels and misadventures with a distinct eccentricity that had the crowd laughing throughout.

They were a really lovely couple, who won everyone over with their warmth. We will definitely not be leaving too long before bringing them back and we know they’ll have a much bigger crowd next time.

Thanks to Martin Lingard for the photos of the night in the absence of Keith Belcher, who is away for a couple of weeks.

Jul 8 2022

Black Feathers

Sunday 3rd July 2022

Photos and review by Keith Belcher

Sunday 3rd July 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The return of The Black Feathers, husband and wife team, Sian Chandler and Ray Hughes. They first appeared at TLR as support for My Darling Clementine on 17th January 2014. They were so popular with the crowd that they headlined their own show with [Shaun Hutch] as support less than 8 months later on 22nd August 2014.

A long gap between then and their virtual appearance during lockdown on 15th November 2020. Possibly still jet lagged from a very successful US tour they wowed the TLR audience once again with their own blend of divine harmonies, musicianship and extremely skilled songwriting and a whole lot of stories and bonhomie. From their deeply felt opening song On The Road Again (not Canned Heat!) to their “cheery” cover of Joni’s Big Yellow Taxi they wowed the very appreciative crowd.

They called BYT cheery not me!, it was very upbeat though. Their encore of a beautiful song Moonlight was performed unamplified sitting on the stage edge. Please Ron and Hilary get them back soon although I know you meant to have them back sooner than this. Something got in the way…..On tour at the moment, catch them if you can.

Video by keith belcher

Black Feathers

Jun 27 2022

Darden Smith

Thursday 23rd June 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

We had a lovely evening on Thursday 23rd with Texan troubadour, Darden Smith giving us a terrific evening of songs, storytelling and poetry, evoking the wide open spaces of the American plains. He’s such an engaging performer. His latest record, Western Skies, of which we availed ourselves of a copy, is a beauty too, grab a copy!

Video by keith belcher

Miles Between; running out of time

Jun 23 2022

Stillhouse Junkies 2022

Sunday 19th June 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

We’d been looking forward to this Colorado-based trio since their thrilling livestream show they gave us during lockdown and we weren’t disappointed. They delivered a spectacular performance for us, showcasing not only their highly original songwriting and arrangements, but also their sensational musicianship, with blistering solos from all three. A truly terrific live act that won a standing ovation from the rapt crowd. It was clear that they have a real joy in playing music together and sharing it wherever they go. We’ll be looking to bring them back as soon as we possibly can.

video by keith belcher

Brown Eyed Woman

Jun 12 2022

Suzie Ungerleider

Friday 4th June 2022

Words and photos by Keith Belcher

A collection of stills from last nights performance by Suzie Ungerleider; a very memorable night. So nice to see an artist really having fun on stage

Video by keith belcher

Lucky Star; Pretty Face

May 25 2022

Jake Blount

Sunday 22nd May 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

The debut appearance of The Jake Blount Band at TLR. Jake on banjo, fiddles and lead vocals. George Jackson, fiddle, banjo and vocals, Nelson Williams, double bass and Gus Tritsch, guitar, uke and vocals.

May 23 2022

Willy Porter

plus support Rebecca Loebe

Friday 20th May 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

We were surprised and thrilled to have a late addition to the bill for Willy’s first show here in the shape of Austin-based singer songwriter Rebecca Loebe, who is on tour in the UK and had a gap in her diary. She shares a booking agent with Willy and decided to come along to see him as she was in the area for a gig in Queensbury the following night. Things couldn’t have worked out better and the two even managed to rehearse a couple of numbers for the encore. Another wonderful night at TLR!

May 18 2022

Outside Track 2022

Sunday 15th May 2022

Words and photos by Keith Belcher

The Outside Track is:

Isla Ratcliff – fiddle, vocals (Scotland)

Fiona Black – accordion, vocals (Scotland)

Teresa Horgan – flute, lead vocals (Ireland)

Seán Gray- guitar, vocals (Scotland)

Ailie Robertson – Gaelic harp, vocals (Scotland)

May 14 2022

Seth Lakeman

Thursday 12th May 2022

Words and photos by Keith Belcher

Another fantastic sell out gig at TLR. A trip through Seth’s archive. Set list with albums and year released. Difficult to believe Kitty Jay is almost 20 years old!

Set 1

Love Will Still Remain (Make Your Mark-2021)

The Giant (Make Your Mark-2021)

King & Country (Freedom Fields-2006)

Blood Red Sky (Poor Man’s Heaven-2008)

Bury Nights (A Pilgrims Tale-2020)

Bold Knight (Kitty Jay 2004)

Underground (Make Your Mark-2021)

Higher We Aspire (Make Your Mark-2021)

White Hare (Freedom Fields-2006)

The Setting Sun (Freedom Fields-2006)

Set 2

Lady Of The Sea (Freedom Fields-2006)

Side By Side (Make Your Mark-2021)

Shoals To Turn (Make Your Mark-2021)

Soloman Browne (Poor Man’s Heaven-2008)

Coming For You Soon (Make Your Mark-2021)

1643 (Freedom Fields-2006)

The Colliers (Freedom Fields-2006)

Change (Hearts & Mind-2010)

Kitty Jay (Kitty Jay-2004)

Blood Upon Copper (Kitty Jay-2004)

ENCORE

Last Rider (Word Of Mouth-2014)

May 9 2022

Le Vent du Nord – TLR 10th Anniversary

Friday 6th May 2022

Photos and review by Keith Belcher, forward by Ron

Forward

We honestly could not have wished for a better way to celebrate 10 years of The Live Room than we had on Friday night. A lovely little pre-gig buffet with attendant Chorus members, old friends and people who have helped us over the years, followed by the perfect celebration band. Many thanks to Keith for a pictorial record of the evening, one we won’t forget. Here’s looking forward to the next ten years!

We were especially thrilled to receive this beautiful sculpture from our friends Robbie Martin and Molly Kenyon. Robbie created it himself from a solid block of marble and it will be on display from now on at future shows!

Review

Le Vent du Nord (The North Wind) is a Canadian folk music group from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in Quebec. The band performs traditional Québécois music (which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany): The members are: Simon Beaudry (vocals, guitar, Irish bouzouki), Nicolas Boulerice (vocals, hurdy-gurdy, piano accordion, piano), André Brunet (vocals, fiddle, foot-tapping), Réjean Brunet (vocals, diatonic button accordion, acoustic bass guitar, piano and jaw harp) Olivier Demers (vocals, fiddle, foot-tapping, jaw harp and guitar).

Special dancing guest on the night was Ripponden’s own Alice Jones.

Wow! What a gig, a joint celebration of TLR’s 10th anniversary and Le Vent du Nord’s 20th anniversary and debut at TLR. I doubt there are many bands in any genre more suited to a lively celebration. It rocked from start to finish! One of the liveliest and most “Joyeux anniversaires” I have ever attended. (excuse the French). It was also up there in the top TLR gigs of the last 10 years.