The Live Room
The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Sunday 23rd June 2024
Photos by Ron Pengelly
We had been really looking forward to welcoming Dean and his band to TLR since seeing them give a wonderful showcase performance at The Folk Alliance in Kansas in February and we weren’t disappointed. It was a brilliant show, full of the flavours of the South Western United States, great songs, harmonies and musicianship from Scotland’s finest. They were rewarded with a standing ovation.
Friday 7th June 2024
Photos, video and review by Keith Belcher
Friday 7th June 2024, The Live Room, Saltaire. Mia Kelly opening for Charm of Finches. Another performer ‘discovered’ by Ron and Hilary at Folk Expos in the States. This was Mia’s first UK tour. She had only arrived 2 days earlier. Mia is a singer /songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec and performs in French and English.
Mia was recently awarded Young Performer of The Year and Emerging Artist of The Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Canada has given us, amongst others, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell so they do produce the goods. Mia has one of those powerful and expressive voices that could probably fill a hall without amplification. There sounds like there is power and emotion in reserve.
Mia was solo tonight, thumb and finger strumming an acoustic guitar. I couldn’t help but think what that voice would be like in front of a full rock band. Maybe one day!
All the songs tonight were very well written, intelligent, insightful and meaningful lyrics about a number of topics. There was one co-write : ‘Meaning Well’, a co-write via Zoom with our own Blair Dunlop who has also appeared at TLR , albeit a few years back. Blair is the son of Fairport Convention/Albion Band founder Ashley Hutchings (also appeared at TLR) and Judy Dunlop. Also, a long suffering Spurs supporter.
The set started with Garden Through The War, a quite intense song about, among other things, relationships. Mia emanated “joie de vivre” throughout her set, nice to see so much enthusiasm and lovely smiles on display. A good rapport with the audience quickly established. No more French from me but we did have a song in French, ‘Dépaysée’. There were also songs about ancient men who sailed in boats of wood and the men were made of steel, (Bonefish Boys). A song about the River Ottawa but giving it it’s native speaker name of ‘Kitchissippi’. The final song of the brief set was ‘Vagabond’, an uptempo song to end the set inspired by a homeless stranger on a long bus journey asking her, out of the blue, to go ‘cliff jumping’. Mia left the stage to a very good response from the discerning TLR audience. I have no doubt she will be back.
TLR regular Eric wrote ; “Mia Kelly was wonderful, Hilary and Ron, please book her again…Top Notch songwriting”
Ron wrote of both acts; “Three incredibly talented young women, all still under 25. There’s a whole generation of great young musicians and songwriters out there.”
Charm of Finches. Two Australian sisters Ivy and Mabel Windred-Wornes. No strangers to The Live Room. They first appeared to TLR audiences during the Covid Lockdown period in 2020 via virtual electrickery and a huge transcontinental time difference. Our show that night was (I think) 7pm but they were ready to play at 3AM in Australia. Well done Ron and Hilary for keeping the music going during that dark period.
They first appeared in Yorkshire in the flesh in July, 2022 with Chris Brain opening. They were such a hit they were eagerly welcomed back to reappear in 2024. A description of their music I like is chamber folk’. It also has (to me) a kind of Victorian, oldy, gothic feel.
Part of the visual for that and their videos is their shopping in ‘Opp (Opportunity) Shops’ as the duo call our Charity Shops, buying old wedding dresses and dieing/adorning them. Ivy’s almost Bharatanatyamish hand movements, a form of classic Indian Hand dance mudras add to the ethereal quality of their songs.
The quality of their sibling harmonies is outstanding. The duo restricted themselves to keyboards and guitar for this show, a violin was used in previous shows. There was a request for ‘Treading Water’ which features the violin, as the encore. The planned encore was ‘Wonderful Oblivion’. After a few seconds thought, they obliged the audience with an unrehearsed wonderful version of ‘Treading Water’, showing great versatility. Another great reception from the TLR crowd.
TLR regular Mike Latham commented “This was our third time of witnessing Ivy and Mabel…The sounds they created with simple musical accompaniment and their distinctive voices was, for me, a very mature performance. They seem to have determined their own unique approach, particularly in the way they use their voices and can now develop their sound further.
Their sound has a very ethereal feel to me, enhanced by the style they present in their attire and videos. I am reminded of the films of Crawford and Davis and that was reflected in the title song from their new album ‘Marlinchen In The Snow’. Another stirring performance from them and new fans won as I know there were some in the audience who had not witnessed them before.
Another great event; thanks Ron and Hilary, once again. “
Friday 24th May 2024
Photos by Nigel Plant, review by Mike Latham
Uplifting!
I think that sums up last night’s performance neatly. Here was a band who had just endured a long trek north and yet they were able to conjure up such a magnificent show.
From the opening song they had the audience captured and the connection between those two groups within the room encouraged them to give a stellar performance. In the information sent out about the band previously, it was highlighted that the opening number was the only one agreed upon. The room was then read to determine the direction of travel and what a journey we were taken on. Stirring tunes, songs of light and shade and a true session of roots music through folk, Latin, a touch of reggae and the syncopated sounds of New Orleans. What more could an audience ask for?
We didn’t see them on their original appearance but we know they, like many performers we have been introduced to at The Live Room, are ones that we will look forward to seeing once again.
Many thanks to Hilary and Ron for another splendid evening.
Sunday 5th May 2024
Photos & video by Keith Belcher, review by Keith Belcher with contribution from Mike Latham
What a great way to celebrate 12 years of TLR! This was a show in the truest sense of the word. We were transported back to the 50s with the self-confessed ‘retro man’ and his brilliant band.
Sunday 5th May 2024, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Debut appearance of Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys. Jake Vaadeland, a self-taught singer/songwriter originally from Saskatchewan, accompanied by his bandmates: guitarist Joel Rohs, banjo player Jaxon Lalonde and bass player Stephen Williams.
A very lively affair to say the least. I have reported the bassist to the Bass Police for being far too animated . We’re really not used to bass players dancing around the stage (with or without their double bass!). A very slick show from Jake and the boys, slick in just about every way , dialogue, music , songs, humour and not to mention hair!
Mike Latham said “Recent concert by Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys from Canada was another debut at the Live Room at Saltaire. A storming performance that went down well with the full room that greeted them on Sunday. A magnificent performance (in more ways than one), these young men proved to be masters of their craft.” He was pretty much spot on.
Sunday 21st April 2024
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
The last night of their UK tour but the first visit to Saltaire for Dallahan AND a sold out show. A band raised in the Scots/Irish traditional music scene but taking on many aspects of world music as well.What did the Live Room audience think of the band? No review coming from me but below are comments made by members of The Live Room’s Whatsapp group shortly after the show.
“A rousing performance from Dallahan this evening. It certainly went down well with the audience.”
“They were nothing short of sensational. One of my favourite shows. Amazing musicianship and arrangements.”
“A wonderful evening”
“Fantastic show last night, brilliant instrumentalists with amazing faculty all at the service of the music. What a privilege to be able to sit so close and watch them with a pint in my hand.”
Love the comment: ” ‘We know you’ve all got work in the morning’. Ha ha , think they’re used to playing to younger audiences. Anyhoo , what a superb band. Thanks for putting them on Ron and Hilary, absolute gem of a band.”
“… we were amazed by Dallahan last night. A new name to us but what a revelation. Without hearing them before one would expect the normal mix of Irish and Scottish tunes. Not so , just as the tunes were going in the normal cycle we were suddenly blasted in another direction. As Ron said , Jazz, other European and American styles would suddenly take over and the skill of the musicianship was amazing. I almost expected sparks to fly from the banjo in that opening number…”
“Thanks for some more great music”
OK , I think the audience quite liked the show. I overheard comments to Ron from several people already talking about show of the year and we’re still in April!
Friday 24th November 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher with additional info from TLR
The fifth visit of Blue Rose Code to The Live Room Saltaire. Last time as I think without checking Ross Wilson (aka Blue Rose Code) was a duo with guitarist Lyle Watt. Tonight a 4 piece with Ross, main vocals and guitar, Lyle on electric and acoustic guitars and mandolin. Gus Stirrat playing a 5 string bass, making it resemble a lead guitar at times and Stuart Brown on drums. A really cracking night. The first half was superb but the second half notched the pace up to another level altogether, serious rocking in Saltaire last Friday. Here’s to the 6th visit.
Note from TLR: As part of the 10th anniversary of their debut album, North Ten, the band has been performing the record in order as part of their shows this year. The video is their full performance of North Ten from the night. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Featuring Jen Austin
Sunday 19th November 2023
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
Sunday 5th November 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
Sunday 5th November 2023. Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The debut appearance and I hope the first of many appearances at TLR for Daniel and his band. Emma Rose opened with a short acoustic set and then joined Daniel with and without Zachary and Jason.
The Daniel Rodriguez Band, Daniel Rodriguez Lead Vocals, acoustic guitar, Zachary Jackson, vocals, bass, Jason Mazer, vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, Emma Rose , acoustic guitar, vocals
It’s just me, and the universe, tonight, and together we’re going to have to make things right from “A Thousand Lights” by Daniel Rodriguez
I have pretty much stopped writing reviews and these days I mainly just post pictures/videos with a brief accompanying introduction to the artists. I was very tempted to change that after Sunday night’s show. I had such a good time and felt very uplifted by the show. Without gushing, it genuinely left you with a warm glow.
To be honest a seriously glowing review had pretty much written itself in my head as I left the venue. I’ll just say if you want a really good night that’s going to to leave you feeling very glad you took the time to see this band then go and see them! They are really worth travelling to see. You won’t regret it.
The words below are from the much acclaimed £10 pom Scotsman Eric Bogle and they encapsulate the feelings generated on the night. I heard quite a few people who thought it was THE show of the year. Considering the wealth of talent we have seen this year that’s a strong but justified statement. If not familiar with Daniel’s back history you may also want to check out the music of his band until 2018, Elephant Revival, you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t know what music means to you,
but that’s what music means to me,
it can capture my heart, yet somehow set it free.
It can tear me to pieces, yet somehow make me whole,
it gives me hope and feeds my soul.
The Last Note – Eric Bogle
Sunday 22nd October 2023
Photos & video by Keith Belcher
Sunday 22nd October 2023. The sold out debut appearance of award-winning multi-national band Ímar. Five members, on stage from left to right Adam Brown (England), bodhrán and guitar, Tomás Callister, fiddle (Isle of Man), Ryan Murphy, uilleann pipes, flautist and whistle player (Ireland), Mohsen Amini, concertina (Scotland) and Adam Rhodes, bouzouki, (Isle of Man) plus (purely from a photographers point of view!)! a veritable forest of microphones.
Thursday 19th October 2023
Photos & video by Keith Belcher
