The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Tag: Americana
May 1 2023
Joe Martin & His Band
Friday 28th April 2023
Photos by Ron Pengelly
This was Joe’s second visit here to TLR with his full band, this time on his first ever full tour in support of his debut album, Empty Passenger Seat, from which we heard a good selection of tracks. We love Joe’s songs, his dedication and that wonderful voice of his and he deserves support as he builds his career. This was a fabulous performance from him and his stellar band, Tom Dibb on guitar, Mark Lewis on bass and Dan Wiebe on drums. Ten shows in on the tour, they were firing on all cylinders and were a tight and dynamic unit, a perfect frame for Joe’s songwriting.
Supporting Joe on this leg of his tour was young Sheffield-based singer songwriter, Harriet Rose, who delivered a sparkling and confident set. Another beautiful singer, she has a great future ahead of her and we’ll no doubt be seeing her back here at TLR in the not too distant future.
May 1 2023
Mark Wilkinson
plus Mark Crotti
Sunday 23rd April 2023
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
The first visit of Australian, Mark Wilkinson (with fellow Aussie, Mark Crotti opening) to The Live Room after we discovered him at Americanafest, Nashville in 2022.
Some shots of support act, Mark Crotti
Videos
Mark Crotti: Half A Cup of Tea; Paint Me
Mark Wilkinson: Love High; Everything To Me; Just Be You
Apr 18 2023
Bronwynne Brent 2023
Sunday 16th April 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
Bronwynne Brent Trio, The Live Room, Saltaire Sunday 16th April 2023. The opening night of the tour and it very nearly didn’t happen as there were passport problems, flight problems, weather problems . Apart from a very brief nap Bronwynne came directly from the airport, having spent the night before hoping she would be able to get here as her flight was cancelled.
For those that weren’t there Bronwynnes last gig at TLR was the last gig before lockdown on 15th March 2020 , we didn’t know what was going to happen over the following 2 years . Many had tickets and didn’t turn up for the show, there was a strange, poignant atmosphere, we just didn’t know what was going to happen. Bronwynne just about managed to get back to the States before the airlines stopped flying and countries doors closed, no vaccine in sight at that point , we just didn’t know!.
Logically with all the things that went wrong leading up to the gig it should have been a disaster. However most people don’t live in Bronwynne’s version of reality. On top of the problems Bronwynne hadn’t played with Graeme and Mario for several years Mario was in the Trio in 2020 but Graeme was last in the Trio in 2018’s tour (I went to 4 gigs).
They didn’t have time to rehearse. Doors were scheduled for 1830. The trio didn’t arrive at TLR until gone 1800. With all that the show actually started approaching 1930 as opposed to the scheduled 1900 . What we got was a gloriously wonderful display of music at it’s most live. Bronwynne wouldn’t actually know how to rehearse a story or well practiced lines anyway so she just did what she does best and went with the flow in her inimitable manner laughing throughout.
Mario and Graeme are both wonderful musicians and took this in their stride. That’s not to say there weren’t some off notes on occasions but when music is as live as this who cares? Set list was kind of vague and relied on comments like “you know this one don’t you?”, the version of After You’ve Gone was prefaced by “you must know this , it;’s a classic” and then a line or 2 were sung to refresh Mario and Graeme.
You don’t get any more live (or riskier) than this but it was glorious. I don’t think I am alone in thinking this was just a fabulous gig and totally summed up what live music is about.
VIDEOS BY KEITH BELCHER
Don't Tell Your Secrets to the Wind; Dark Highway; Raincoat
Apr 6 2023
Mike & Ruthy
Sunday 2nd April 2023
Review, photos and videos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 2nd April 2023. The much awaited visit of Mike and Ruthy, formerly here as The Mammals. This time with their son Will playing bass . Very much a family affair, daughter Opal was managing the merch desk as well as singing along throughout (you would have needed to be very near the front to hear her). Two superb sets of great songs, musicianship , harmonies and alternating vocals from Mike and Ruthy with some entertaining stories and humour throughout
The audience did their part too, rapt attentive listening and excellent backing vocals . Judging by reviews and comments at other gigs they have been going down a storm everywhere they have played. I know Hilary would have loved to have been there for this one but she was at a musical event in Vancouver (someone has to research these acts). Graham did the honours as MC and Joy helped out at the door leaving Ron to get the sound the Live Room is getting a great reputation for. A very popular gig, they will be back.
Videos by Keith Belcher
Bright As You Can; East Side, West Side; Rock On Little Jane
Apr 6 2023
Rachel Baiman
plus support Misty River
Photos & videos by Keith Belcher
A great billing of two fine Americana artists from either side of the Atlantic. This was Rachel’s third visit to TLR after a double bill with Molly Tuttle back in 2018 and her recent show with Sierra Hull. Rachel was accompanied by Steve Haan on bass and vocals. First timer at TLR, Misty River, comprised of Carmen Phelan and Adam Morley.
Videos
Rachel Baiman: Shame; Self Made Man; Lovers and Leavers; Wicked Spell
Misty River: Walk Me To The River
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
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
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.
Video by Keith Belcher
If I Should Find Myself; The Other Man
Nov 8 2022
I Draw Slow
Sunday 30th October 2022
Review and photos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 30th October 2022: The debut appearance of Dublin based 5 piece band I Draw Slow at The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Full marks to Ron and Hilary for this booking. One of only 3 shows in this “tour”.
At the end of this show I was mystified why I hadn’t heard of this band before. Like many great modern Irish bands they may be better known in The States than UK. They’ve played very prestigious festivals such as Merlefest, Rockygrass and Wintergrass and the calibre of musicianship at those festivals in extremely high.
Five albums to their name to date. The band are : On main vocals brother and sister Dave Holden and Louise Holden, Dave also playing acoustic guitar, Adrian Hart on fiddle, Konrad Liddy on upright double bass and Colin Derham on clawhammer banjo. A vast and varied soundscape covering traditional, old time, bluegrass , pop, jazz elements , Americana. It all gelled beautifully and was without doubt their own sound. Intelligent songs, great musicianship, vocals and banter and lovely people. What’s not to like. Not surprisingly no merch was left at the end of the night. I sincerely hope they are back at TLR soon.
Video by Keith Belcher
The Boy's Not Fair; Trouble; and About A Bird In An Airport Terminal
