The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Blog
Mar 12 2023
Bella Gaffney & The Silver Reserve
Sunday 5th March 2023
Photos, videos and review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 5th March 2023., The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. A long awaited double header of two local artists: The Silver Reserve aka (Matthew Sturgess) and Bella Gaffney. A separate post for each artist starting with Matthew.
Mathew has performed at TLR several times as a support artist drawing praise from both audiences and the headline acts he was supporting. On previous visits he was solo, tonight being accompanied for several songs with friends Nick Wood and Tim Marshall providing some lovely harmonies. A mixture of colour and black and white tonight for a change.
Bella Gaffney as a solo artist, playing guitars, banjo and (her words not mine) telling bad jokes, also singing acapela. Bella’s last appearance at TLR was with her band The Magpies back in September 2021.
Videos
Imogen
Grandma's Song
There's A Joy
Heaven Knows
Blood In The Earth & Black Water
Feb 24 2023
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira with Miguel Girão
Friday 17th February 2023
Photos & video by Keith Belcher, words by Keith Belcher & Mike Latham, review by Tony Charnock in Tyke’s Stirrings
Friday 17th February 2023, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira accompanied by Miguel Girão. I knew we were in for a treat after the sound check which was utterly delightful and a pleasure to my tired old ears. The actual show was even better.. I’m going to unashamedly steal the text (see below) to a post by [Mike Latham] about Friday’s act. “Another great debut at The Live Room in Saltaire. Two consummate musicians, Jocelyn Pettit from BC in Canada and Ellen Gira from near DC in the US held the audience spellbound on their first appearance at the venue.”
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira Review
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira with Miguel Girão at The Live Room,~ Saltaire 17th February 2023
It was almost on a whim that I ventured out to the Live Room to see this, to me, totally unknown act. Almost, but not quite: whomever Ron and Hilary are putting on at this comfortable and welcoming venue, you can be confident that it will be top quality. They have an unerring eye for talent in their globe-trotting quest for new acts to bring to our part of the world, along with, of course, bigger and more well-known names in the music world.
To say that these excellent musicians merely met that expectation would be a massive understatement and do them a great injustice. Here were three performers who ticked just about every box you can think of, providing a packed and appreciative audience with an evening of sublime music-making, as Jocelyn on violin and Ellen on cello, with Miguel’s deliberately understated and always sympathetic guitar accompaniment, regaled us with melodies from many different lands, their instruments sometimes blending sweetly, sometimes playing off each other. There was a palpable bond between Jocelyn and Ellen as they scarcely took their eyes off each other while they were playing: clearly enjoying what they were doing, an aspect of their performance that easily transmitted itself to the audience.
So varied was the set that it’s hard to pick out any favourites. Tunes ranged from traditional Irish, Scottish and Scandinavian, American Old Time, a medley from Canada, while Jocelyn sang as sweet a version of Dougie MacLean’s “Ready for the Storm” as you could hope for, and a wistful rendering together of “Across the Western Ocean” with their delightful harmonies was another standout. They also included their own material, including the title track of their CD “All It Brings”.
Jocelyn’s step dancing on stage was the luxury icing on an exceedingly nice cake. This was indeed an international trio : Jocelyn is from Canada, Ellen from the U.S. and Miguel from Portugal. Ellen and Miguel are currently based in Glasgow.
If this made in heaven duo ever come onto your radar, stop whatever you’re doing and go to see them. They gave us a magical evening: you too will be spellbound.
Tony Charnock, Tykes Stirrings
Video by Keith Belcher
The Fleur Rells and Across The Western Ocean
Feb 13 2023
Del Barber
Sunday 5th February 2023
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
We were absolutely blown away by Canada’s Del Barber last Sunday, as were the crowd. We love it when a show exceeds expectations and this one did that by a country mile. Del and his band were absolutely superb in every sense: fabulous songs, amazing musicianship, funny, engaging and entertaining. The whole evening was fantastic from start to finish and we can’t wait to welcome them back to TLR again, when we’re sure it will be a sell-out.
Video by Keith Belcher
Hang Me, Oh Hang Me & Spanish Pipedream (Blow Up The TV)
Feb 4 2023
Madison Violet
Sunday 29th January 2023
Photos by Keith Belcher
An evening of stunning songs, harmonies and musicianship from Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern plus their friend Jake Dawson. We’d seen them at Folk Alliance in Montreal a few years back but we were still taken aback by just how brilliant a live performance they give. Technically brilliant, but like all great artists, moving, challenging, engaging and entertaining. For our capacity crowd, this was an evening not to forget.
Video by Keith Belcher
Utah
Feb 4 2023
Sierra Hull & Justin Moses
Plus support Rachel Baiman
Sunday 22nd January 2023
Review & photos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 22nd January 2023 at The Live Room at Saltaire
Illinois born, Nashville based multi instrumentalist Rachel Baiman opened the evening. This was Rachel’s second visit to TLR. The first being 27th April 2019 doubling with friend the fabulous Molly Tuttle. Rachel will soon be making her 3rd TLR appearance on March 17th as a headliner with her trio.
Rachel gave a great and varied opening set playing banjo, guitar and fiddle with vocals and songs to to match her musicianship. Rachel also made an appearance joining Sierra and Justin for their encore. This show could have been sold out twice. The enthusiastic audience coming from far and wide.
Playing hardly begins to cover the virtuoso performance of Sierra Hull and her hsband, Justin Moses. Sierra is Tennessee born and bred, now residing, where else?, but Nashville.
What a track record for one still so young. A Grand Old Opry debut at age 10, Rounder Records contract and first album at age 13. No wonder Sierra is so highly regarded by the Nashville cognoscenti.
What we got on Sunday night was nothing short of a musical masterclass and it all looked so so easy. I found myself counting the fingers on Justin and Sierra’s hands, so melodic, so fast and so synchronised, if there were notes dropped I wasn’t aware. Just breathtaking, the audience were both very appreciative and not surprisingly very, very impressed .
A superb gig. Sierra’s friend and opener Rachel Baiman joined Sierra and Justin on stage for the unavoidable encore. I don’t think the audience would have left without one.
Videos by Keith Belcher
Rachel Baiman: Old Songs Never Die
Sierra Hull & Justin Moses: How Long?
Sierra Hull & Justin Moses: Cold Day/Cattle in the Cane
Jan 22 2023
Lonesome Ace Stringband 2023
Friday 20th January 2023
Review & photos by Keith Belcher
Friday 20th January, The Live Room.
Opening for Canadian Trio The Lonesome Ace Stringband were Phrase and Fable, a duo consisting of Maria Wallace and Phil Stott . Maria Wallace on vocals, claw hammer banjo and fiddle and Phil on vocals and guitar.
This was Lonesome Ace Stringband’s second visit to TLR. Last time was 15th September 2019. I saw them earlier that year sharing a double header with The Local Honeys at Celtic Connections on 26th January 2019. They would have been back a long time ago had it not been for you know what.
Like a fine wine they just carried on getting better and better and the audience had a real treat on Friday. They are Chris Coole on banjo, John Showman on fiddle and Max Malone on upright bass. Singing is divided between all three in both as soloists and harmonies.
Not surprisingly the show had been sold out for quite a while. A double gig weekend with Sierra Hull and Justin Moses (also sold out)on Sunday 22nd January. Judging from the very rapturous response from the audience they will be back.
Video by Keith Belcher
Damned Old Piney Mountain, Brown County Breakdown
Jan 10 2023
Iona Lane
Plus support from Henry Parker
Friday 6th January 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
Friday 6th January 2023: The first gig of four at TLR, Saltaire this month. Local Keighley resident Henry Parker opened the gig with a short but very sweet set comprising a selection of his 4 CDs to date. The latest being a live limited issue release entitled Life After Lammas.
It had been a 3 year wait for the long anticipated and awaited debut of Leeds based songsmith Iona Lane with Malin Lewis. Singer Songwriter Iona Lane on main vocals and guitar and Malin Lewis award-winning piper, fiddler, composer and instrument-maker from Ardnamurchan and Skye playing fiddle, pipes and whistle. Iona studied for a BA (Hons) Music (Folk) with a scholarship at Leeds College of Music.
Since 2015, Iona has released three EPs: ‘Dry Stone Walls’ (2015), ‘Solace’ (2017) and ‘Pockets’ (2017) studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Recently releasing a first debut CD Hallival. Last year Malin makes Music released their first book of original music and was a winner of the “In tune with Nature” composing competition run by Scottish Natural Heritage and Feis Rois.
Videos by Keith Belcher
Henry Parker: Lammas Fair
Iona Lane: Sylvan
Iona Lane: Mary Anning
Dec 13 2022
TLR 300 with The Often Herd!
Sunday 11th December 2022
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
Sunday 11th December 2022, The Live Room at Saltaire, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Very cold outside but a warm welcome with complimentary drinks and food in abundance for TLR’s last gig of the year and the 300th gig since opening in May 2012. A great spread generously provided by Ron and Hilary to mark the event. A debut appearance for one of the UK’s premier Bluegrass Band The Often Herd.
A cracking good set from the band to celebrate the event. Great harmonies, songs and musicianship as well as great banter. Some shots below. I’m sure I speak for the regulars and many occasional visitors to TLR in thanking Ron and Hilary for all the shows and introducing us to many artists of all musical genres. Here’s to the next 300. Starting next year with the visit of Iona Lane and Henry Parker on January 6th.
Video by Keith Belcher
The opening two songs from the set
Nov 15 2022
Thea Gilmore
plus support The Silver Reserve
Thursday 10th November 2022
Photos by Ron Pengelly
We were thrilled to see a sold out TLR for Thea’s first visit here and also really pleased that she asked our friend Matthew Sturgess aka The Silver Reserve to support her. The pairing of the two was inspired and their music complemented one another perfectly and made for superb evening.
While her material, specifically from the most recent album, Afterlight, was challenging, dealing with her experience of domestic abuse, Thea was anything but gloomy on stage. She was very funny, chatty and self deprecating, especially when talking about her choice of equipment and its shortcomings.
Using a mixture of live looping and a little backing track to enhance her songs, she gave us a stunning show. She really has one of the most beautiful and intimate voices you’ll ever hear. It’s no surprise that she has built a huge and dedicated following over the years.
We were also treated to a brilliant support set from The Silver Reserve, who won a bunch of new fans. We can’t wait to see him back here in March next year when he’ll be co-headlining with Bella Gaffney.
Nov 15 2022
Cua
Sunday 13th November 2022
Photos and review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 13th November 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The penultimate gig of 2022. A debut appearance from Irish/Scots trio Cua : John Davidson (fiddle, percussion, vocals) Shane Booth (guitar, vocals) and Ros O’Meara (bouzouki, guitar, percussion, vocals).
Their 5th UK tour, another band I was unaware of, thanks again Ron & Hilary. All live in Co Laois, John started life in Edinburgh but now lives in Co Laois also. A truly eclectic blend of musical styles and influences that delighted the very attentive and appreciative Live Room audience.
The range encompassed predictably the music of Ireland and Scotland but also ranged from the middle east to South America and all points in between (a Venezualan two step from Shane and John while Ros changed a bouzouki string!). By anyone’s standards this was a seriously musically diverse show whilst retaining a very personal stamp throughout.
Musicianship was superb as were the vocals. Several songs performed acappella that were just a treat for the ears. It wasn’t just the music though, the banter and bonhomie were also wonderful. All paces of music, soft and delicate at times very fast and driving at others. Indeed at some points in the show if some part of your anatomy wasn’t attempting to keep time with the music then you may need to check your level of medication or consult an audiologist. Hopefully they will be back in the near future.
