It was almost six years to the day since John Blek was first introduced to Midlands music fans when he opened for Frontier Ruckus at the very venue he returned to this evening. The team behind the Thimblemill Library music presentation have proved valued supporters of this Cork-based singer-songwriter including inviting him to an early post-lockdown gig at a nearby upstairs pub room when available venues were thin on the ground. Looking back to a write up of the inaugural September 2018 evening saw that impressive traits of style and delivery remarked then were still high on the appreciation agenda half a dozen years further into an increasingly acclaimed career.
This most recent visit to the West Midlands was in the final stages of a tour promoting an album released in early September. CHEER UP joined a length of several recordings to pop up since 2015 and help cement a burgeoning reputation of a stimulating folk-inspired operator warmly welcomed in Americana communities. The album proved the cornerstone of Blek's set joined by older songs and an iconic concluding cover loved by all of a folk persuasion and wider afield.
There was a late change of line up when Jessie Reid pulled out on the morning of the show on health grounds. The eleventh hour stand-in was a familiar face in Amit Dattani who has appeared at the library several times before. The most significant revelation from a short 30-minute set was a new album ready to be unleashed in the near future. Out of necessity, there has been a move to electric guitar, both live and on the new record. Regardless of the medium, Dattani's deftly applied picking skills and quaintly executed roots-derived songs will alert keen fans to what he will deliver next. Jessie Reid is set to return to open for another show later in the year.
From his opening song, you sensed John Blek being completely in the zone. It took a couple more songs before evocative and the odd quirky introductions kicked in. Overall adding value and becoming more communicative with the audience as the show progressed. The pinnacle of the interaction came in the closing stages with 'The Body' inviting a degree of participation resonating in a track that had become a lockdown playlist favourite in the world of pilates.
Shining through during the performance was a love for guitars filtering down to how they are played. A skill delicately adorning a raft of lo-fi songs. The Irish wit is as subtle as you can get and musings ranged from the humorous to profound observations surmising on the depth of art. All immediately lured newbies onto the performer's side willing him to succeed. The faith was repaid with a humble appreciation to those keeping live music alive.
Visits to the West Midland are often accompanied by life changing moments for John Blek. He shared the big change of due to become a father in a couple of months time. Fuel for a singer-songwriter no doubt. Having spent his time in the spotlight shining a torch on the inner mind of a songwriter's output, the final gift was sharing the 'The Times They Are A Changing'. Certainly relevant here.
While the songs of John Blek are generally not awash with hooks and repeated choruses, a smooth Irish brogue and wry humour gently lubricate the ears of the listeners to get the best out of what is subsequently shared. It is the complete package that marks John Blek out. A warm demeanour and deep rooted talent blend into a relatable and likeable artist. You sense somebody passionate about the art of song and an innate style to express a love through a medium easily accessible to fans tuning in.
