Tag: The Live Room at Saltaire

May 28 2024

Katherine Priddy

plus support George Boomsma

Thursday 16th May 2024

Photos Richard Leach, videos by Cloddyclips, review Mike Latham

Stunning!

The support slot from George Boomsma set the scene for another great show. Both sets, the one from George and the main event from Katherine treated us to amazing voices and wonderful musicianship. 

George used voice and guitar, not to forget the whistling, to show us another outstanding young musician. It all sounded so simple but his words and playing showed a maturity that was a pleasure to watch.

I only know Katherine from her first album but her performance also confirmed the maturity of a lot of young musicians who are travelling round sharing their art with ever increasing audiences.

Though there were only three musicians on stage (Harry Fausing Smith on violin, mandolin and vocals, joining Katherine and George) the sound they created was subtle, entrancing and a joy to listen to. Again, we witnessed a wonderful combination of voices which meshed together to create a gentle sound which drew the listener in to wonderful observations on life and relationships.

Long may we continue to witness these wonderful events that promoters like Ron and Hilary create for our delectation in the small venues that exist throughout this land.

Videos by Cloddyclips

George Boomsma: Lily of the Nile

Katherine Priddy: Letters From A Travelling Man

Katherine Priddy: First House On The Left

May 28 2024

The Hackles

Sunday 12th May 2024

Photos, video & review by Keith Belcher

Sunday 12th May 2024. The Live Room, Saltaire. The first visit of The Hackles. The Hackles are Kati Claborn (vocals, guitar, banjo, clarinet), Luke Ydstie (vocals, guitar, and Halli Anderson (vocals, violin, guitar).

All the way from Oregon they graced the Live Room Stage with a stunning display of three part harmonies and magical arrangements that interweaved effortlessly and blissfully.

Their acapella version of Michael Hurley’s ‘Werewolf’ was without a doubt one of the most beautiful songs I have heard at The Live Room (or anywhere else). I suspect that many in the audience, like me, were holding their breath spellbound. An acceptable crowd for their debut at TLR but next time around I suspect they will be sold out well in advance. Catch them if you can.

videos by keith belcher

Werewolf (Michael Hurley)

Don't Let Me Go By

May 28 2024

Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys

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.

VIDEOS BY KEITH BELCHER

Until The Day I See You Dear

Get Rhythm; That's Alright Mama

May 2 2024

Sons of Town Hall

Friday 26th April 2024

Photos by Ron Pengelly

We were treated to a fantistic evening with this amazing duo on Friday 26th April. Both George Ulysses Brown (Ben Parker from England) and Josiah Chester Jones (David Berkeley from the USA) possess beautiful voices and together, their harmonies are exquisite. Add in brilliant songwriting, playing and a huge dollop of humour, and you have one of the great live acts on the folk and roots circuit. The sold out crowd were treated to wonderful show and we know that they’ll be sailing back this way on their home made raft before too long.

Apr 27 2024

Dallahan

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!

videos by keith belcher

Jailsong

Dutch Courage

Apr 23 2024

Maya de Vitry

Friday 19th April 2024

Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher

The third visit of songstress Maya de Vitry to The Live Room, Saltaire. The 2 previous visits in February 2014 and October 2016 were as a member of The Stray Birds. This time, having left The Stray Birds in 2018, she was touring with guitarist and singer Joel Timmons. Great song writing from both, delivered with superb musicianship, stories and the wonderful voice of Maya.

videos by keith belcher

Go Tell A Bird and The Odds Of Getting Even

Apr 23 2024

Sara Petite Band

Sunday 14th April 2024

Photos and video by Keith Belcher

The first visit of San Diego’s Sara Petite to The Live Room with her UK band, who many of you will be familiar with from Annie Keating’s shows! A really cracking evening of country and Americana from a great songwriter and performer; you could tell that she loved playing with this band.

VIDEOS BY KEITH BELCHER

(I Can't Stand The Smell of Her) Perfume and God Save The Queen

Apr 2 2024

Martin Simpson 2024

Sunday 24th March 2024

Photos, videos, review by Keith Belcher

Another sold out show. This time the great Martin Simpson entertained the Saltaire (and further afield) audience. The vast majority of the songs tonight were from Martin’s forthcoming double CD/album SKYDANCERS.

Not officially on sale until April 12th. There were a few copies available but not many as they have been a resounding success at gigs. The early birds (or purchasers) got the CD. In deference to Andy Muscroft‘s superb monochrome artwork for the album/CD more shots than usual are in black and white.

Musicianship, as expected was superb throughout the night. You can always rest assured you will learn something you didn’t know about the songs and music and history at a Martin gig, tonight was no exception with many detailed stories, jam packed with good humour.

Videos by Keith Belcher

The Recruited Collier

Icarus

Apr 2 2024

Richard Shindell 2024

Friday 15th March 2024

Photos, videos and review by Keith Belcher

The fourth visit of master song-writer and raconteur Richard Shindell. Richard hasn’t toured for many years so we were in a small and select group of venues that he chose to play. As you can see, an all electric show.

A truly wonderful night and we got to hear some new, unrecorded songs and very different arrangements of some old ones. All that and some great humour. Even an unrecorded cover of Leonard Cohen’s Alexandra Lost as an encore. A great night.

Videos by Keith Belcher

Stray Cow Blues

There Goes Mavis

Apr 2 2024

Robbie Cavanagh

Sunday 10th March 2024

Photos Ron Pengelly, review Mike Latham

Great show last night. Another great addition to the TLR roster.

Wonderful guitar playing and a marvellous voice that is clearly going to develop into something even stronger.

They say to write about what you know, how much of what Robbie was singing about last night was personal to him, I wouldn’t know.

What was clear was the depth and maturity of his lyrics, some surprising lyrics amongst the songs that he performed last night. Thanks Ron and Hilary for another great night.