Sunday 10th December 2023
Photos by Ron Pengelly
A Winter Union
Tag: The Live Room
Jim Causley: A Causley Christmas
Sunday 3rd December 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
After a 10 year absence, a 7 hour drive in awful conditions and only a half hour sound check, Devon’s Jim Causley took the stage on a cold, wintry night . The audience were treated to pre-show drinks and nibbles from Hilary and Ron. A sign of the times that some mince pies were labelled vegan.
Switching effortlessly between accordion, keyboards, a Capella , stories, poems and songs, happy ,sad and somewhere inbetween. Jim, blessed with one of the best voices in the folk genre delighted the very enthusiastic Live Room audience not only with his singing but also the humour in the show. An unaccompanied poem by Roald Dahl mixing all the panto/fairy tale stories together had the audience in stitches. None of your usual festive carols featured in this show.
The show itself was a bit of a history lesson of Christmas songs from all around the British Isles (even a Gracie Fields cover from Lancashire and that well known folkie Cyndi Lauper were allowed in!). A lot of the songs were from Jim’s latest Christmas CD but many from the folk archives.
A goodtime was had by all. Set List below for those interested. (Note the Ivy and The Holly is not a typo and the Hunting The Wren is traditional not the one on the latest Lankum CD which is also covered by Natalie Merchant). Some shots below, videos to follow. Jim also wore a Christmas hat in the second set but I’d put my camera away by then. The video captures the hat though.)
Set 1
Yule
Mari Lwyd/Dartmoor Wassail
The Dunster Carol
On Christmas Day It Happened So
Wailey Wailer
Hunting The Wren
The Plymtree Carol
Christmas in No Mans Land
My Christmas Day
Set 2
Adams Fall/Feels Like Christmas
A Song Of Truth
The Jacobstowe Wassail/Christmas Morn
Innocents Song
The Ditchling Poem
Hot Pot Hot
Shepherds Arise
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (Roald Dahl)
Mistletoe
The Ivy & The Holly
Video by Keith Belcher
Yule and Marie Llwyd/Dartoor Wassail
Blue Rose Code 2023
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!
Video
North Ten in full
Adam Holmes
Featuring Jen Austin
Sunday 19th November 2023
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
Video by Keith Belcher
Nadine
Honey & The Bear
Friday 17th November 2023
Photos by Nigel Plant
Joshua Burnell – The Glass Knight Tour
Sunday 12th November 2023
Photos and videos by Keith Belcher
Video by Keith Belcher
Moonlight's Child; So Say The Crows (ft. Frances Sladen); and The Last Rain
Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys
Thursday 12th October 7.30pm
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
Videos by Keith Belcher
What's Troubling You Child?; This Ain't The Life; and Something More
Jacob & Drinkwater
Sunday 8th October 2023
Photos & video by Keith Belcher
Videos by keith belcher
This Old River; We Are The First Ones Now; Loaded Gun
The Hoth Brothers
Sunday 25th June 2023
Review and photos by Ron Pengelly
A taste of the wilderness of New Mexico came to Saltaire on Friday with the Hoth Brothers. My photos of a hugely entertaining set of toe tapping Appalachian inspired songs from Bard Edrington and Sarah Ferrell, with Karina Wilson on fiddle and vocals standing in for Boris McCutcheon who couldn’t make the tour.
Great show, thanks folks.
VRï
Friday 16th June 2023
Review and photos by Ron Pengelly
Welsh language band Vri at The Live Room on Friday showcasing Welsh folk tradition. Fantastic harmonies, energy and musicianship, three guys who clearly love playing together. Felt like we were in the pub for a singalong one minute, watching top notch chamber music the next.
Hugely impressive and uplifting. Give ’em a listen.
