Three Chords and the Truth UK

  www.johnblek.com 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 co...

The concept of duality switched from the art world to its distant creative cousin of folk and acoustic music as the Big Comfy Bookshop set about curating the latest Friday evening presentation. The city of Coventry provided a centrally located platform for two artists to share their contrasting perspectives, while colluding in the ultimate union of excellence. Heading south from Humberside was evocative singer-songwriter Katie Spencer, symbolising Hull’s second gift to Coventry in the last couple of months in addition to passing the City of Culture baton. Meeting Katie on neutral ground was London-based folk artist Kirsty Merryn expressing a versatile approach to the medium of traditional English music. Both artists are active movers on the upward trajectory of the career curve and ably represented by well-received CD releases last year, successful in reaching out to new listeners. They mirror the vibrancy of an independent scene that seeks ways to be forever innovative, and possess...

The countdown clock may just have little over three years to go before the City of Culture tag formally kicks in, but in a buried corner of Coventry, the ‘c’ word is alive and buzzing. The Big Comfy Bookshop has been creating waves on the UK’s folk ‘n’ roots acoustic circuit for quite a while, and this is only likely to gather pace as we move into a new year. While a venue can make its own mark on a music scene, it is literally just another building without the artists that illuminate the everyday surroundings. The presentation that closed the 2017 Comfy and Acoustic twice-monthly programme worked a treat in terms of representing the breadth and depth of folk music the length of our land. So let’s focus on the triumvirate of Iona Fyfe, Lucy Kitchen and Iona Lane, who loosely combined to celebrate the joy of unfiltered live music. Iona Lane Inevitably, the evening rolled out as billed, with a pair of co-opening acts effectively supporting the headliner in terms of afforded stag...

While roaming the world digitally for romanticised music has long been an influential source, occasionally it is worth pulling your horns in a touch to check out what is happening under your nose. Birmingham based band, The Lost Notes have been knocking on doors around the local scene for a while, often getting opening slots for overseas touring acts. With most of these artists being of a folk/Americana/acoustic tilt, this local combo have proved an ideal fit with their authentic approach to stripping innovative lyrical-laden music down to an agreeable form. Now it’s the turn of The Lost Notes to take on the role of a recorded outfit with the release of a debut album titled RUN FREE RIGHT NOW. Essentially, the album rolls out with eleven self-penned tracks plus a bonus of two offered in an alternative format of a live version and vocal remix. ‘ Bobby ’ is one of these tracks, with a live recording captured at the Tower of Song, and probably sits at the summit of the album’s appeal...

Although the season stretches into mid-September, there has always been something of an end of the summer festival feel when Moseley Folk arrives on the city’s doorsteps. Beyond the Tracks may be extending Birmingham’s outdoor music attractions this year and End of the Road may be the higher profile indication of a seasonal closer, but there is a definite uniqueness about the eclectic gathering in Moseley Park across the opening weekend of September. The luscious sloping surroundings of a private park on the hinterland of Birmingham’s city centre coupled with a stage arrangement of non-stop music from the comfort of a single location are key aesthetic features of Moseley Folk. When you blend in a line up ranging from the traditional to the experimental, the sounds that fill the park emanate from a highly crafted pack of artists, musicians and performers. 2017 is the twelfth renewal of Moseley Folk Festival and without making too much comparison with previous gatherings, this y...

For those with a desire to be enthralled by an outstanding lesson in American roots music dissection, St. George’s Hall, Bewdley was the place to be in the lauded company of Will Kimbrough and Brigitte DeMeyer. This recently formed recording duo was wrapping up their short UK tour in a small Worcestershire town on the banks of the River Severn, although it was music emanating from the Delta and the Gulf waters of the South that inspired an exceptional display of musical craft. The tour was designed to promote the recently released album MOCKINGBIRD SOUL and in their individual styles, Brigitte and Will each played a significant part in the overwhelming success of another exemplary evening promoted by the Music in the Hall team. Whether by design, spontaneity or natural demeanour, Will generally took the lead in this two-set show, being the most verbally active and thrilling the gathered throng with a guitar picking expertise that totally lived up to the status of its lofty acclaim...

Although I had a fairly extensive gig year, the first acknowledgement is to those dedicated folks on the circuit who far exceed the number I manage to attend and their commitment to live music is utterly admirable. 2016 proved to be an exceptional year with the fortunate experience of being able to see many personal favourites. The year was bolstered by an mid summer US road trip and in some format all but two of my gigs and festival days had some coverage on the blog. For the second successive year, the ninety mark was hit aided by an exceptional full band in-store set by Elizabeth Cook in Nashville. Live music continues to be the utopia of the blogging experience and even when circumstances test the endeavour, the ultimate satisfaction of recording the memory in the written format wins the day. Of course the twenty five chosen performances to form the favourite list is a purely personal entity, but hopefully sharing it will resonate with some folks out there. Happy reading and here...

Is there room for another end of year album list? I hope so because here comes an humble collection of my favourite releases in 2016. One thing about this list is the term best is nowhere to be found as it treats music listening as a subjective beast, with the only important outcome being to what extent it connects. Each year Otis Gibbs puts critics lists in perspective by implying that few dispute their anointing tendencies from a relative small listening sample in relation to the number of albums hitting the market. In defence of such lists, there is a finite listening capacity and there will no doubt be many albums released this year that will eventually find their way to me in good time. However it is good fun to reflect on the last twelve months at an opportune moment and one absolute certainty is the pride that emanates from being able to connect with these thirty albums. Debating the strength of 2016 is left for another time as these personal favourites get the crowning moment...