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Bit slow catching up with our blog posts, so sorry! Just a few photos, courtesy of Keith Belcher, of another brilliant show by Eugene and his band! What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas!

We’re very sorry to have to tell you that, owing to Amy falling ill, she has been advised by her doctor to pull out of the whole tour. As we had a similar situation last year and decided to continue with the show featuring Luke solo (he played an absolute blinder!), we decided that it would not be appropriate to repeat the process, so we made the decision to pull the show on this occasion.

We realise that this will be a big disappointment, especially to all those people who loved Luke last time, but we will definitely bring him back again, and hopefully with Amy too.

If you know anyone who has bought tickets for the show, please help us get the word out there that it is not going to happen. Refunds and ticket exchanges can be organised by replying to this email or direct to Hilary at hilary@theliveroom.info

Sunday 10th December 2017, The Live Room, Caroline Social Club, Saltaire. I’d been looking forward to this one since it was announced and I certainly was not disappointed. The very wonderful and unique Duke Special (aka Peter Wilson), Lisburn born, Belfast-based singer and musician making his debut appearance at the Live Room. Quite simply one of the best entertainers on the circuit.

His act can lean at times towards best music hall traditions. The concept of entertainment is never lost. It’s not uncommon to see parents with their children at Duke shows and tonight was no exception. Supported by Dan Donnelly, another Belfast singer and musician. Dan, armed with the most battered guitar still allowed on stage, gave a very humorous and entertaining start to what was a very memorable Live Room evening.

A sell out crowd braved the sub zero temperatures and snow flurries, with a few hardy souls standing at the back. This was the last night of the Hallow tour, promoting Duke’s new venture, an album featuring the poems of Michael Longley. I’m fairly certain we had every track from the CD throughout the evening. Anyone who hadn’t seen Duke Special before may have wondered what was going on when the dreadlocked, nattily becapped and now bearded Duke strode on stage, wound up an old gramophone to provide some accompaniment to his own keyboards and very rich, warm brogue singing Another Wren, the opening track from the CD.

Mixed amongst the songs from Hallow were many songs from Dukes extensive back catalogue. A varied catalogue would be an appropriate term, his interests over his 9 CDs involving many diverse projects with a Huckleberry Finn production scheduled for next year.

The middle of the show saw Dan join Duke on stage to conduct a raffle. Dan announcing the numbers in a ‘bingo caller on LSD’ fashion. Certainly not the bingo calling the Live Room is accustomed to. Friday night’s crowd in next door’s bar would definitely have been left confused! Each number draw preceded by a joint ‘keyboard roll’ from Duke and Dan.

Dan then stayed on stage for a couple of songs, leaving as Duke launched into ever popular requests for Brixton Leaves and Digging An Early Grave. I have to be honest and say I have heard far more audience participation in the past for Digging but it was a cold night.

Winding up the gramophone again, Duke played The Ice Cream Man, a tribute to a man murdered during the troubles in Northern Ireland in the 80s and read by Michael Longley, while he went into the audience distributing flowers.

Lena, the last track on the CD finished the set before Duke performed encores of crowd favourite Freewheel before a superb rendition of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon.

Duke has his own band of followers. Many of the Live Room audience were first timers to the venue but not first-time witnesses to this tour, some coming from far and wide to follow the tour. Ron and Hilary have been promoting Duke since 2002. Long may they continue to do so. He loved the venue, hopefully he will be back on his next tour.

The third and very welcome visit of multi Folk Award winner Chris Wood. The show was, quite simply, as I expected, excellent. No real review from me just a couple of comments. We had a change of person intro as Sam Samociuk had asked to do the intro, giving Hilary a break!

There is a thought that song writers have their entire lives to write their first album and then 1 or 2 years each for any subsequent ones. Chris Wood’s writing, already in my opinion the best Britain has to offer, is still getting better. The new CD SO MUCH TO DEFEND is certainly a magnificent genuine folk offering with some of his best ever songs.

Generally audiences can be quite insistent on requesting old favourites which are familiar. I’ve noticed with Chris Wood audiences that many are more than eager to hear the new or unrecorded material; it’s been a while since I’ve heard ‘One In A Million’ requested. Even the ones they are familiar with often change in melody and delivery.

Last night saw a relatively rare performance of the very powerful ‘Masterpiece’, a song which featured in 2012’s BBC Olympics Ballads. We were treated to a new song about, amongst other things, old folk tearing around the tennis courts. Also a very beautifully delivered Jake Thackray cover ‘To Do With You’ brought resounding applause. A fabulous night from one of our very best.

Keith Belcher, 25th November

Formal dictionary definitions of the adjective ‘glorious’ include ‘having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration, having a striking beauty or splendour’. The informal being ‘very enjoyable’.

That just about summed up the sound and performance created by Lady Maisery last night in Saltaire, the sound being all the more enjoyable since the addition of ace sound engineer Neil Segrott as their touring sound technician. Now on his second tour with the band, his in depth knowledge of their music and how it should sound was used to great effect. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with their sound before Neil, but it is now enhanced.

Lady Maisery, for those not aware, are Rowan Rheingans on fiddles and bansitar, Hannah James on accordion and percussion (both feet and drum) and Hazel Askew on harp, concertina and bells. All three take lead vocals and merge their voices to create some absolutely sublime harmonies with an incredibly high standard of instrumentation constantly weaving its way throughout the vocals. Some songs are pure acapella; some songs are diddles or tune singing, an art which has nearly died out in England. A mixture of their own and traditional songs with some covers including a Todd Rundgren song Honest Work, discovered via Maddy Prior.

This was their second visit to Saltaire, the first being 5 May 2015. They opened with Katy Cruel from their 2013 second CD MAYDAY before Sing For The Morning, the opening song of the latest CD CYCLE. Continuing with The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood we heard the bansitar, a cross between a sitar and banjo, an instrument made by Rowans father, Hannah providing foot percussion and clapping. Prior to finishing set 1 with the beautiful London Lights, featuring Hazel on lead vocal, Hannah gave possibly the best Merch spiel I’ve heard. It certainly worked as the goods were virtually flying from the table.

Like set 1’s closing song, the opening song for Set 2, Poor Man’s Lamentation, with a far more upbeat sound than its title, was from the award-winning album SONGS OF SEPARATION, being one of the many projects that Lady Maisery are involved with. This brought rapturous applause. An acapella Diggers Song followed. They are very busy ladies, besides being Lady Maisery they are all involved in numerous projects. Many of the songs have deep political and ecological references.

This was not a one paced show, the content, style and delivery varied throughout. The consistency was the delightful, enchanting sound that had the audience listening as intently as I have seen a Live Room audience listen. I might add that Live Room audiences are generally great listeners.

And so the delights continued with an acapella encore of a wonderful apt parting song called Land On The Shore. The ladies joked that at the end of the tour they would check into a spa for some pampering. It would be fair to say that the audience had an ear pampering experience throughout the show. Neil recorded part of the show so hopefully at some point there may be a live album.

Next up at The Live Room on 24th November is the wonderful Chris Wood, making his 3rd visit, for me the very best Folk singer and songwriter in the British Isles. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Review by Graham Smout, photos by Peter Graves

Martin Simpson was spellbinding at The Live Room at Saltaire on Sunday evening. Playing a mixture of familiar and newly recorded numbers, Martin paid tribute to the fact that it was Remembrance Sunday by including poignant introductions and songs referencing tragic wartime conflicts across the globe, including the contributions and sacrifices made by members of his own family.

With all seats taken, the audience were treated to an extended set, with encore from Martin, which went on for so long that some would have missed the last bus home – had they been catching buses! The thing that strikes me about Martin is he never compromises in any way in his performance, which is first class entertainment from beginning to end. It was also heartwarming to overhear him talking enthusiastically at the end of the evening with fans about his guitars and styles of playing.

‘It was a great night. His songwriting is amazing’ – Biddy Unsworth

Friday 3rd November 2017, The Live Room, Caroline Social Club, Saltaire. There were many outdoor fireworks displays on Friday night. Indoors at the Live Room however we had some musical pyrotechnics to match anything going on outside. The opening act was Billy Kemp, born in Baltimore but a long time Nashville resident who played a 1930’s Martin guitar and an opened backed banjo, named Moe and Bart respectively. A Grand Old Opry performer and a great song writer and raconteur who had a very relaxed and accomplished manner. Opening with ‘Death & Taxes’, his delivery reminded me very much of Loudon Wainwright III. In the 1980’s Billy hosted song writing nights at the legendary Bluebird Cafe. He mixed great stories with very well-crafted songs, many from new album ‘ANOTHER LIFE’, all delivered in a very clear distinct voice with great musicianship on both guitar and banjo. He finished his set to great applause with ‘Mr. Wilson, The Stonecutter’, stone cutter being a term used to describe people who drank too much ‘falling down water’.

Ok, now for the main act, Canadian duo Harrow Fair based in Toronto. Comprising Miranda Mulholland on fiddle and Andrew Penner on various percussion and guitar, both having very powerful, often rootsy voices, used to great effect. This is where the musical fireworks started. I’d describe a lot of their music and ‘down and dirty’ stomp rock. A recording of an auctioneer provided the backdrop to their opening song ‘Told A Lie To My Heart’ from their CD CALL TO ARMS. Miranda having a very animated stage presence and one of the best rock style fiddle techniques I have seen recently. While Miranda was extremely mobile Andrew spent a lot of time seated at a bass kick drum with his feet while also playing quite cranked up guitar with occasional bottleneck. Their overall sound was bigger than two people, Andrew being bass and rhythm as well as lead guitar, standing on occasions to play drumsticks on the side of the kick drum, the pair at times seemingly singing at each other across the stage, at times harmonising.

The last thing I expected was a confession from Miranda to being a ‘Escape To The Country’ addict, all 17 series, no half measures there. Songs were not all cranked up rock, ‘Emmaline’, described as their version of Dolly’s ‘Joleen’ was tender and haunting. A lot of the material may have been new to the audience but several covers all done brilliantly in their own style were well known. A really punchy version of John Hartford’s ‘Long Hot Summer Day’ was the first of these. I think Miranda had to change bows at the end of that song as she put so much into it. Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ was a definite audience pleaser and Memphis Minnie’s ‘When The Levee Breaks’ would bring a smile to even the most dedicated Led Zep fan. The set finished proper with ‘Bite The Way’ before coming back for a totally off mike encore of The Rankin Family’s ‘Fare Thee Well Love’ with both Miranda and Andrew off stage, filling the room with a very emotive performance. A well satisfied audience had a great time.

Hi Hilary and Ron,

Friday 27th October 2017, The Live Room, Caroline Social Club, Saltaire. Still pursuing their ‘hit list’, Ron and Hilary brought two artists who have featured on said list. Brooke has been on the it for some while, Blair since Kansas last year (more artists to come from the Kansas trip in the coming months!).

Brooke was a new find for me. Ron turned during the sound check with one of those ‘wow’ looks which just about summed up the performance. Her music can be described as intricate, sparse, beautifully sensuous and very personal. Using a range of techniques such as drum machines, vocal and guitar loops to build an at times spellbinding, hypnotic sound that was a sheer delight to the ears. Her harmonies with herself were a real delight. Even persuading the audience to contribute to a sing along in Merge and her closing song; very much appreciated by the crowd.

Blair was far more of a known quantity to me, having seen him several times before, though not as often now, as he lives in that there London. It does allow him to see his favourite team Spurs more often though, something he seems to take delight in.

One of a group of very accomplished young excellent guitarists/ singer songwriters that the UK seems blessed with at the moment, Blair entered the stage in true Eric Morecambe style (ie through the curtains). The only other artist to have done that I can recall is Chris Wood. Blair seems to be building on the strength of his 2016 3rd studio album, ‘Gilded’. Switching between an acoustic and a new electric Gretsch, he performed many new, as yet unrecorded songs from his next release. His dexterity on both guitars quite staggering and effortless.

From the strength of Friday’s performance, both his songwriting and guitar work are going from strength to strength. An engaging, warm personality on stage, Blair brought Brooke on stage for the encore, to bring another great night at The Live Room to a close. Canadian duo Harrow Fair play on Friday November 3rd.

Review and photos by Keith Belcher

The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire, Sunday 22 October 2017; having watched and listened to the sound check, I knew the audience were in for a real treat.

A voice to stop you in your tracks is an overused cliché but when referring to opening act Emily Mae Winters it really applies, and I do mean that in a most complimentary way. Ranging from a delicate whisper to a fully-fledged growl with no discernible effort, creating a wide variety of moods within the songs. Competent guitar work accompanied most of her self-penned songs, the exception being an absolutely beautiful acapella ‘She Moves Through The Fair’, which had the audience utterly entranced and fully demonstrated the power and subtlety of both her voice and interpretive skills. Definitely a lady to watch out for.

Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage have been long sought by The Live Room. The wait was worth it. They were, quite frankly, sublime. Ben playing guitars and dobro, Hannah, guitar and mountain dulcimer. Sharing a single, very impressive looking microphone, both sang lead vocals and on occasion some of the most delicate and delightful harmonious merging of voices The Live Room has witnessed. The Live Room audience is usually an attentive and listening audience but last night, as well being able to hear a pin drop, I found myself actually holding my breath at times. I don’t think I was alone in this, the beauty of the music was that good.

They opened with a cheery up beat song about death, ‘Ribbons and Bows’, a Richie Stearns song that features on their CD followed by one about insanity, ‘I’ll Weave My Love A Garland’ from Hannah’s solo CD ‘Charms Against Sorrow’. As well as enchanting music, they had an engaging manner with the audience throughout. Set 1 finished with ‘Awake’, the audience joining in a sing along, Ben’s husky voice leading then joined by Hannah.

Set 2 opened with another cover, Woody Guthrie’s song ‘Way Out Yonder In The Minor Key’, the music for this written by Billy Bragg. No criticism of Billy, but in his wildest dreams he couldn’t make the song sound like Ben and Hannah did. They have just released the song as a single. The oh so delicate ‘The Sun Is Gonna Rise Again’ followed, with Hannah’s voice soaring and circling around the room.

And so it continued for the rest of the night, a mixture of their own material and covers. One notable cover was their two-part dialogue in Dylan’s ‘Boots of Spanish Leather’. It’s strange that you don’t hear the song done that way more often. Their covers all had their own individual stamp. Two sing-along encores closed the show ‘Oh, Yes I’d Climb The Highest Mountain’ and finally welcoming Emily Mae Winters back on stage ‘Deep Blue Sea’. The audience would have quite happily listened all night. Catch them live if you can.

Review and photos by Keith Belcher