Over a distinguished career, Tim O'Brien has without doubt played contrasting venues in many cities especially possessing an ability to adapt between grand palatial settings and intimate places where the listening zone is unfiltered. The West Virgina native-longterm Nashville resident can now add Birmingham to the list with the Kitchen Garden joining the Symphony Hall as stages hosting the talents of this premium musician, lauded songwriter and authentic country vocalist. On the stroke of eight o'clock, O'Brien descended the wooden creaking staircase, weaved his way through the cramped dining chairs and positioned himself in the performing spotlight. He asked if there were any country, folk and bluegrass fans in the house and proceeded to entertain a packed venue with music as pure as a mountain stream.
The sold out signs soon followed the coup announcement of Tim O'Brien playing the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath. Previous visits to Birmingham have seen him join the Transatlantic Sessions cast for their annual jamboree around the nation's plush concert halls. The crowd appeared to include many devotees alongside more curious observers. Maybe if a few chose to return to see the many up and coming homegrown roots artists playing the Kitchen, then the battle to promote such music at the grassroots would be easier.
Celtic Connections is often the magnet for US musicians to tour the UK in January. Small venues around the country benefit from artists seeking to add a few extra dates around the Scottish centrepiece. For this trip, O'Brien was accompanied by wife Jan Fabricius playing mandola and adding backing, duet and, on one occasion, lead vocals to the format. With no support on the evening, the pair played a standard 45-minute opening set before returning with an hour long second half after the break. Although the quantity is always relevant when shelling out money, quality is the driver when Tim O'Brien hits the stage.
Acoustic guitar was the main instrument choice for the evening with occasional hops onto mandolin and fiddle. Whatever the mode, virtuoso charm filled the room. Effortless playing is the order of the day and being held in a mesmeric trance is one of the joys of witnessing top class playing in a tight kinit space.
The banter swayed from dry humour to informative nuggets. Nashville neighbourhoods, lamenting home politics and honouring his peers were just a few of the themes. Of the names mentioned, we learned of a recent recording session with Tom Paxton, alongside a Tim O'Brien slant on the work of Bob Dylan and the Carter Family. There was one tetchy moment when an intricate fiddle version of 'Working on a Building' drew unwelcome audience participation. Eventually this bluegrass version navigated its way to a rousing conclusion with O'Brien conducting a mass unaccompanied singalong.
On a night where the audience was spoiled to have so much high calibre music close at hand, it is a credit that Tim O'Brien and Jan Fabricius still find the magic to share their music in intimate settings. This timeless display of traditionally focussed country, folk and bluegrass music was a joy to behold. It should never be taken for granted when a legend passes through town. A sold out Kitchen Garden gave love in exchange for a super show.
