I suppose it was apt for a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada to open their UK tour on the coldest evening so far of this mild British winter. However Ruth Moody, who uses the long Canadian winters to inspire aspects of her writing, wasted no time in warming the musical hearts of those who came to her first solo UK show at the Bridge House Theatre in Warwick. Although not strictly a solo show as she was ably accompanied by band members - Adam Dobres, Adrian Dolan and Sam Howard, Ruth was taking the advantage of a Wailin' Jennys hiatus to promote her solo material and showcase her own voice rather than the unison harmonies that have been such a trademark of the Jennys' success over the last ten years.
Primarily Ruth was touring to re-launch her 2010 album 'The Garden' which to date has had little promotion in the UK but she chose a Wailin’ Jennys song to open the show,’Asleep At Last’ from their 2011 album 'Bright Morning Stars’. However most of the first half of the evening was dedicated to tracks from ‘The Garden’ album including the two winter themed songs that were really relevant tonight.‘Cold Outside’ is one of the stand out tracks from the album and ‘Winter Waltz’ was accompanied by a graphic description of the Manitoba cold season.
Ruth also used the first half of the show to pay tribute to some of her favourite singer-songwriters by playing the Townes Van Zandt inspired ‘Travellin’ Shoes’ – recorded on ‘The Garden’ album, ‘Waltzing for Dreamers’ by Richard Thompson and Julie Miller’s 'By The Way of Sorrow’. As the show approached its break, Ruth and the band were eventually getting into their rhythm. Not surprising as they were only just shaking off the effects of jet lag.
The second half of the show was a much more diverse affair as the crowd were treated to a sublime performance of roots music. Ruth displayed her many musical talents when using piano accompaniment for the sombre‘Never Said Goodbye’ and relayed tales of a singer-song writer’s life before serving up ‘Heaven When You’re Home’ from the Wailin' Jennys 2004 album '40 Days’. To add to the variety of the show, Ruth stepped aside to allow Adam Dobres and Adrian Dolan display their immense musical talent with a couple of self penned and traditional jigs and reels. Dobres demonstrated his expertise on mandolin, fiddle and accordion while Dolan provided some finger pickin’ twang on slide guitar
The audience were taken on a musical road trip down south to Lafayette, Louisiana when Ruth, accompanied by two members of the crowd, superbly delivered her sing along Cajun inspired tune ‘Mermaid Lounge’. The final song before the encore saw Ruth delve into the traditional English songbook and display her classical vocal ability with a rendition of ‘Bold Riley’. Of course the crowd were treated to one more song and this time, bassist Sam Howard came to the fore and sang the duet song ‘We Can Only Listen’ with Ruth, another standout track from ‘The Garden’ album.
So an excellent start to the gigs of 2012 and we can also look forward to Ruth returning the Midlands in the final part of her UK tour when she takes her rightful place in the talented cast of the Transatlantic Sessions.