Reviews

Jumpin' Hot Gigs  •

BOO HEWERDINE + KIM RICHEY @ Cluny 2 - June, 4th

It was a couple of firsts when Boo Hewerdine and American singer-songwriter, Kim Richey who now spends much of her time in London and gains inspiration for many of her songs there, played the Cluny2.
Having had a host of people cover their songs. Between them the list reads Eddi Reader, Kris Drever, k. d lang, James Morrison, Trisha Yearwood, Darden Smith, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Brooks & Dunn and Alison Brown among others —and while their pedigree reads well the respective performers live were better still!
Richey was first up, and with a business like approach but still relaxed and friendly she set out her stall as she allowed herself the occasional anecdote to go with her understated songs. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar an intimate swept across the room —that with a few added personal features could see the venue become an essential listening room. It is ideal for Richey and other singer-songwriters able to project their voice and draw listeners to them, whether they are familiar with their work.
Kim aired material from an album still to be released to go with those on her current recording, Chinese Boxes. The fabulous melodic title track Chinese Boxes along with Not A Love Like set the standard, and were in turn joined by such older favourites as Straight As The Crow Flies and Fading. Richey’s professional approach saw her both please and involve the audience without ever knocking them sideways.
Cambridge favourite, Boo Hewerdine who served his apprenticeship back in the days, the 1980s of group The Bible and has hooked up with fellow songwriters Clive Gregson and Darden Smith on a number of occasions. In some quarters Boo may be greatly underrated yet anyone who has sampled this genial musician’s act or on partnering Eddi Reader and Gregson will vouch for me when I say he is the business. Since not only does he write good songs, but knows how to perform them live and, with an uncanny knack of communicating with an audience he had them eating out of his hand soon into his performance. Richey who joined him for an encore and who impressed on Word To The Wise likewise proved he is an excellent team player.
Hewerdine’s wealth of songs and quality came to fruition on the blues styled Stone In Your Shoe, Harvest Gypsies and arguably his best song of the evening (White Lillies for me - Shippy), Follow My Tears. With his wonderful way with a lyric matched by some smart playing on acoustic guitar and the occasional anecdote Boo was great value for money. While, as if to prove that the flow of quality fare is still flowing at a smart rate of knots from his pen, Geography a new travel song is as good as they come! Bell, Book And Candle apart from appearing in a number of films he informed the audience it also made the small screen via the TV soap Emmerdale. Then as if to show he still can rock, 59 Yards brought an urgency otherwise not experienced during the evening, and it was songs similar in quality that had me hoping he will make an early return.

Maurice Hope

Evolution Festival club show - Po’ Girl + Thomas Dybdahl @ The Cluny, May 21st 09.

Po’ Girl founder member, Allison Russell is an act I never tire of seeing, and with her music taking in folk, jazz and country music as she plays banjo, clarinet and at one point in the evening show herself to a fine exponent of old time mountain flat footing! Now, with a new line up that included the amazingly talented and hard working Awna Teixeira (banjo, guitar, accordion) partner her on one side and the Dobro, guitar, banjo playing Benny Sidelinger the other she has another excellent line-up. Plus JJ Jones sat behind playing drums —their act was one to savour.
While their diversity is a great strength it is also a problem with Po’ Girl as their music tends to lack a concrete base it occasionally lacks the impact it might have. That aside, the evening with Po’ Girl both showcasing their new album Deer In The Night and dipping in a back catalogue of material that included the opening piece, Old Mountain Line and, there was even space for a brand new song called Kiss me In the Dark.
With the band so active, creatively, writing new material before the dust has had time to settle on the current material there is only one way it seems for Po’ Girl, upwards. Few songs among those in their repertoire better define this than Gasoline, as Teixeira led the line superbly on lead vocals, and when it comes to songs of substance —riddled with emotional pain, No Shame featuring Russell singing like a lark as she lives and breathes the lyrics was unbeatable. But that is how Russell is; when her talent is focused and guided in a direction that is other than artful a huge impression is guaranteed.
With the band exuding such joy as they performed you get the impression music is what they do even in their free time. Especially, on surrounded by likeminded friends. On this occasion their friends were the audience as Teixeira along with Russell and Sidelinger regularly changed instruments, not only the obvious but also some gutbucket bass. It was with one of Teixeira’s songs, Dig A Hole that one of the highs of the evening came. This being as the unit stripped veered towards their old time traditional roots and Russell who, as ever played some wonderful stuff showed off her ability in flat footing as she danced the night away.
Prior to the Canadian act headlining we had Thomas Dybdahl make the short trip across the North Sea and through an incredible singing voice and music rooted in popular music he seduced the audience with his love ballads like few can.
Though a new name to most, he did have his supporters that resulted in ‘Cecilia’ gain a request early in his set, and likewise his wonderful creation ‘A Lovestory’ gained the reception it deserved. Such was his grasp of everyday life and refined vocals.
Maurice Hope

The Band Of Heathens @The Cluny, June 2nd 09

Austin-based band, The Band Of Heathens came with a big reputation to their name, not least being that of best new band in town. With them right at the heart of the world of Americana it was of no surprise that they lived up to what I had heard of the five-piece and more.
Pressing hard from the opening song the boys gave it their all as on more than one occasion —they reminded me of the Band. One reason for this could be the fashion in which the lead vocals alternated between Ed Jurdi, Colin Brooks and Gordy Quist plus, the rock solid rhythm section (Seth Whitney on bass and John Chipman on drums) that they play in front of. A luxury many a lead vocalist would give his right arm for.
Set lists are dispensed with, for here was a band that went whichever way their heart pulled them; and with an audience keen to live the moment it was like they were back home in a sweaty barroom!
With the playing and all-round presentation drum tight, the slick interplay and youthful swagger The B.O.H set standards tonight. Rock, country and shades of r&b as Ed would time and time again display an affinity for singing in a soulful and emotive fashion. That is not to take away anything from Colin who, on playing a superb lap steel and possessing a passion for story ballads helped push the band to greater heights. Heights achieved to a large degree by the stirring electric guitar of Jurdi and Quist who, via his song Quarters And Dimes (that reminded me of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at their peak as Gordy exchanged his electric guitar for acoustic) coupled with fire cracker tunes Jackson Station and with him adding a little harp and, splendid, lean and mean lead vocals the music swept forth like a big ol’ freight train in the darkness of night.
With so much going on, and each and every musician offering something special it was hard to take it all in —as the sequence of songs that aren’t all on their CDs and DVD or necessarily recorded the way they do them live (and even then subject to change).
For lasting memories, the image of Jurdi hunched over his Hammond B-3 organ as he lent into former band member Brian Keane’s I Ain’t Even Lonely and there were others. Brooks pickin’ the hell out of his lap steel (his work on the superb Judas Scariot Blues included) and, when he sung of ‘having a girl in Mexico’ in the song of that name and the soul stirring vocal harmonies on Shine A Light. As the boys blew all expectations out of the water and, that still left their versions of the Gillian Welch classic Miss Ohio and Kevin Welch’s Millionaire…OR as Jurdi playing the part of Richard Manuel (of the Band) deliver an awesome Bumblebee (what great lyrics that spoke of being the sugar in my black coffee).
On a night few genuinely did not want to end I had the feeling that here we had a band destined for greater things, hopefully, that will wait long enough for them to come back to the Cluny.
Maurice Hope

THE RED STRIPE BOSS SOUNDS FESTIVAL preview

starring headline performances from
FREDDIE MCGREGOR, DERRICK MORGAN plus OWEN GRAY

Saturday 20th June & Sunday 21st June2009 is being held at

The Cluny & The Cluny 2, 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

+ The Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6QG  and The World Headquarters, Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Sq, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6UQ
 
This year's Boss Sounds Festival will be the Red Stripe Boss Sounds Festival after the Jumpin' Hot Club secured a deal with the famous Jamaican brewer. 

Headlining this year's festival will be Roots Legend Freddie McGregor + The Congos (21st June) and Ska King Derrick Morgan in a superb double bill with Rock Steady legend Owen Gray (20th June). For this years festival the organisers are taking over the whole of the Cluny building with the main venue and Cluny 2 being called into action.  

Freddie Mc Gregor ranks alongside Bob Marley as one of the biggest reggae singers Jamaica has ever produced. Famous for his smash number One hit, "I Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" he is loved by pop fans and reggae enthusiasts alike. A graduate of the famous Studio One, Freddie entered the reggae world at the age of seven singing vocals with ska duo, The Claredonians. He went on the develop a reputation as one of the most vocally gifted singers in reggae, able to turn his hand to lovers or roots material with equal potency as demonstrated on massive hits like, "Big Ship" and "Jogging".

The Congos are a reggae vocal group from Jamaica active on and off from the mid-1970s until the present day. They are best known for their Heart of the Congos album, recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry.

The King of Ska, Derrick Morgan's career dates back to the birth of the Jamaican record industry. He is famous for his Jamaican Independence anthem, "Forward March" and recorded extensively for Prince Buster. He later fell out with the great Prince and recorded, "Blazing Fire" which was featured on the Soundtrack to The Who film, Quadraphenia. A hero of the fledging skinhead movement he recorded the original "Moonhop" later covered by the Specials and adapted by Symarip as the Skinhead Moonstomp.

Owen Gray is one of Jamaica's 'Foundation' singers whose work spans the R&B, ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras of Jamaican music. His "On the Beach" celebrating Clement Dodd's Sir Coxsone Downbeat system in 1959,was one of the first releases on Dodd's Studio One label. He was also one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, in 1960,his "Patricia" single was the first record ever released by Island Records. His first single, "Please Let Me Go", reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Ernest Ranglin (Ranglin's first recording session). In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins.

This year's festival will also feature for the first time outside Jamaica, "The Reggae Film Festival" which will see some of the greatest reggae films ever made screened at the Tyneside Cinema. Highlights include "Heartland Reggae" which documented Bob Marley's One Love concert and "Rico, the Legacy" which captures the trombone players life, tracking his time with The Specials and Bob Marley.

Other festival highlights include Ska'd for Life DJs and great bands, Diddley Squat and the Emporers Dentist plus as ever a tremendous After-show party at World Headquarters.

The Red Stripe Boss Sounds Festival 20th-21st June, Freddie McGregor, Derrick Morgan, Owen Gray, MC Ishu and many more, Cluny and Cluny 2, Tyneside Cinema and World Headquarters

LUKE DOUCET and MELISSA McCLELLAND
J Hot Club @The Studio-Live T 09/05/09

Up in the upper reaches of the Live Theatre we have their second venue, the Studio. It was here that the fabulous guitar playing of Canadian Luke Doucet and wonderful vocals of his wife Melissa McClelland showed their worth.

Though born in the States, McClelland was raised in Canada she has joined the growing band of excellent acts coming from the country of the Great Lakes. Her new album Victoria Day like that of Doucet Blood’s Too Rich (both on Six Shooter Records) underline this.
Stylish in her vocals, and the manner in which she presented herself on stage — McClelland when she lets herself go is an awesome talent. That they performed as a duo and not as solo acts with a couple of duets thrown in was a huge bonus. Complementing one another in superb fashion, the evening flew by as the audience became totally lost in music that spanned folk, pop, blues and country.
Doucet through his playing of his white falcon Gretsch guitar may already have a head start on McClelland in the popularity stakes, but this tour has seen her pull up alongside him on the outside lane. Such is Melissa’s ability as an artful singer, rhythm guitarist, duet partner and she is a fine hand as a storyteller. Much of which on concerned a nostalgic trip along old Route 66. Where she did some recording as she rediscovered the old and forgotten towns, filing stations, motels and roadhouse taverns of a once thriving, and iconic part of in American history.
Dovetailing into the space behind, and alongside each other the music crossed genres with the minimal ease, and that had Luke’s jaw dropping guitar playing lend itself towards yesteryear’s trucking country music one minute mixed with hints of pop and old fashioned rock‘n’roll. He is after all a huge fan of The Band, Neil Young, Ron Sexsmith (and a host more Canadian acts). His fondness for Canadian musicians and the latter idiom was underlined not least in his song, The Day Rick Danko Died. The shuffling Motorbike written with Mike Plume while Doucet and McClelland lived for six months in Nashville likewise was something special. As with the music in general with the evening it oozed class. This was a night to suit a broad range of tastes, and with McClelland displaying a greater confidence as the evening progressed her vocals blossomed at an alarming rate.

Dressed in a flowery 50’s style summer dress, and the look that she could have come from an classic Hollywood movie. Melissa’s work on the likes of When The Lights Went Off In Ohio and Randy Newman’s Dayton, Ohio 1903 captivated the audience. As the evening drew to a close the couple sparkled like two rare diamonds as duet partners. Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire and arguably the finest moment of the show when they blew the audience away with a near perfect as perfect version of Tom Waits’ Gun Street Girl. Like with the evening the song was an unexpected and magical experience and one for only those present to share. No matter if they recorded the song tomorrow (and I feel they should) nothing could match their effort at the Live Theatre !
Maurice Hope

GURF MORLIX - J"Hot Club @ The Cluny 03/05/09

With the release of his new album, Last Exit To Happyland, Texas-based musician, producer and singer-songwriter Gurf Morlix signalled he was up to the challenge. Of making it as a recording artist in his own right and have others take notice of his own music more than ever before. Rich in passion, drive, and lyrics that excite his career looked to have moved on. Better still live on stage there is now a greater presence and he wasn’t short of supporters either. Newcastle, it seems genuinely holds a special place in the heart of this remarkable man of many talents, and who after years dedicating his life in making others sound better he has begun to press all the correct buttons for himself !

Immediately Morlix broke into ‘One More Second’ my feeling of anticipation was reciprocated, and with the audience likewise grasping hold of what he had to offer and that was plenty —his show and the night was well and truly up and running. Using a porch board bass (that is played with your feet) with his acoustic guitar, Gurf was able to place some body behind him as he tendered his mighty songs. Heading the list we had ‘Walkin’ To New Orleans’ and ‘Drums From New Orleans’ —the first about walking into a hurricane and, the latter about when as a 12 year-old he would listen to the music of New Orleans while huddled up on a winter’s night beneath the bed clothes up in Buffalo, New York.
With a host of interesting tales to share, Gurf told a good few concerning his one-time housemate Blaze Foley —a tragic figure that wrote great songs and had a grave drink problem (plus a recklessness that was forever getting him into trouble). His music while he was alive sadly gained little recognition, now, with Morlix and the help of others have seen some old long lost tapes put out. Gurf’s own tribute, ‘Music You Mighta Made’ from Last Exit…showcased some smart finger picked guitar alongside Foley’s ‘Cold, Cold World’ plus the quirky and thoroughly entertaining ‘Wouldn’t That Be Nice’. The latter an ideal bed mate for Morlix’s own hilarious ode ‘Your Sister’ —that slotted in tall and proud in a performance set to remain close to my heart for a long time. So good it was I would dearly like him to record a live album —whether solo, with a band or a little of both.
With thrills coming thick and fast there was no time to let your mind wander as the ‘good stuff’ flowed incessantly. With Morlix’s rough-edged tones biting down good and hard on ‘Crossroads’ (inspired by Robert Johnson), the epic and enthralling tale concerning atheist leader Madalyn Murphy O’Hara ‘Madalyn’s Bones’, a cover of one of country music legend Marty Robbins’ famed gunfighter ballads ‘They’re Hangin’ Me Tonight’ and a new song I took to be entitled ‘That Ain’t Stopping Me. There was no stopping Gurf in this form and he even found time to include a song by Ringo Starr, and the Beatles’ ‘From me To You’ as he revisited his youth.
To close his set we had the Blind Boys Of Alabama’s The Last Time, and though most enjoyable where like with a few more late in his set it allowed him to play his guitar it wasn’t a match for Bob Dylan’s God On Our Side that had previously closed his gigs. But, it wasn’t to be this time around, even though Gurf would if allowed gladly played till the sun came up. On a night where there was no bull, just great, honest to the bone music!
Maurice Hope

KIMMIE RHODES + Steph MacLeod - J"Hot Club @ The Cluny, 01/05/0

What better way to celebrate the first of May than go see West Texas singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes who, had Sligo guitar / mandolin picker Brendan Emmitt support her.
In some cases, a return so soon and after seeing her play support to Emmylou Harris at the City Hall in September alongside her debut for the Jumpin’ Hot a year ago would be overkill —yet that wasn’t the case with the likeable Texan.
Opening for Rhodes was unknown quantity, Steph MacLeod. Hailing from Edinburgh, MacLeod impressed with his gritty, hard-hitting social conscious songs . Drawn from personal experience of when he fought drink addiction and for a short period, homelessness. MacLeod is the real deal. Mixing folk, blues and rock he won over the audience with such fare as ‘Goodbye EMI’, ‘Disco In The Sky’ and ‘Man In The Cold’ (a song that spoke of our treatment of the homeless) as his music displayed great honesty and angst.
Rhodes on stepping up to the stage with Emmitt soon had the room feeling smaller as an intimate feel unfolded, and with her telling a few one-liners and a story or two the listener and the artist were soon feeling at home. Although her music would be best termed as comfortable opposed to the broadening of boundaries or breaking down walls —her friendly, down home embracing of the audience saw her music and tales revelled by both long term and new converts.
With Emmitt offering something different, if anything her songs gained rather than lost their usual impact —especially when it came those warmed in a borderland’s feel. As Gracey’s ‘Contrabandistas’ with her own ‘Bells Of Joy’ and the chugging ‘Big Ol’ Train’ were aided by Emmitt’s splendid mandolin support. He prowess on which was extended to a mandolin solo on an Irish jig he performed.
Amidst her own material that also featured an audience aided ‘God’s Acre’, ‘I Just Drove By’ as Emmitt excelled on acoustic guitar, ‘Hard Promise To Keep’ and ‘Love Me Like A Song’ —Rhodes recognised some of her fellow Texan songwriters. Rodney Crowell ‘Till I Gain Control Again’ must rate as about the best version ever I have heard of the song, and as for Townes Van Zandt’s ‘If I Needed You’ it likewise fit perfectly in Kimmie’s well-rehearsed set.
Her cover of Cowboy Jack Clement’s ‘Someone I Used To Know’ though well intended —it for some reason it surprisingly found her off the pace. Otherwise, Rhodes and Emmitt did little wrong and a great deal right.
Maurice Hope

GOLD HEART BLUEGRASS BAND w/ THE CORNSHED SISTERS-

JHot Club @The Live Theatre, 25/04/09

Newcastle’s Live Theatre has seen some memorable acts grace it’s stage over the years, and the Gold Heart Bluegrass Band though yet to peak deserve a mention among the elite.
To open the evening we had the female quartet, the Cornshed Sisters, and though not blood related they posses a sibling like understanding when it comes to vocal harmonies. This was well illustrated on the country gospel standard ‘Father Along’ —their version inspired by the vocal group formed by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt; Trio underlined the girls potential as an act possessing creative flair. After a quiet start the girls playing keyboards, acoustic guitars and on a couple of occasions ukelele showed a marked increase in confidence that carried through to the music. Among the greatest beneficiaries were fine renditions of folk ballad Mad Tom From Bedlam —as effective and innovative keyboards figured strongly. Others were to include ‘Wind And Rain’, and what a masterful stroke it was to do it a cappella fashion.

The Gold Family though without their usual banjoist had in fellow young act, Jens Koch of the Swedish bluegrass band G2 the perfect replacement. For despite it being only his second gig with Gold Heart he looked like he had been with them since they started.
Oozing great ability in a number of fields and supported by their father Trent Gold (a Federal agent by day) on upright bass the group delivered one of those nights you hoped would not end. Working within the confines of bluegrass and bluegrass gospel a string of fine songs rattled forth as the band gained the warm appreciation of the audience.
Shelby (fiddle, vocals), Jocelyn (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Analise (mandolin, vocals) though only 13, 16 and 19 years old, respectively the maturity displayed was amazing. Their youthful energy tempered with musical acumen belying their tender years saw the role of lead vocals shared, but it was Shelby who caught the eye. That was apart from her wonderful work on fiddle where she also displayed maturity matched by few.
Utilising tunes from the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe’s co-wrote with one time Bluegrass Boy Peter Rowan ‘Walls Of Time’ —their material was well selected. ‘Walk On The Water’ an a cappella piece was likewise a sublime effort.
One of a number of songs written by the group, it arguably showed them at their best. Followed closely by ‘Coal Mining In Kentucky’, a sneak preview of a song ‘Grin And Bear It’ slotted for their next album via and an impressive instrumental ‘Big Blue River’. Shelby’s lead vocals on the former pairing reached way beyond what you would dare expect of her! However, it wasn’t a one person show as the harmonies, mandolin and banjo entries worked up were never less than excellent, and on occasions better than bands I have heard with greater reputations. I can’t wait till they are back over.

Their next album on Rural Rhythm Records due out later in the year will like with their present project Never Let Go release will see them rise a few steps up the ladder.
Maurice Hope

BASKERY + Mothers Ruin @ JHot Club - The Cluny 30/1/0

Coming on the heels of their album (with Shipcote) at the Tyne, Mother’s Ruin once again showed their worth as acoustic musicians, no one more so than Don Walsh who showed fine leadership qualities on banjo, closely followed by Tom Cronin (mandolin), Matt Price (guitar) and Bethany Coyle (vocals). With arguably, the highlight of their slot coming with an instrumental piece hot enough to leave their fingers soar and blistered.

Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden —the Bondesson sisters Baskery are both a quality and high-octane act. Their music never sits still for long, and with upright bass (Stella) relentlessly pressing hard and the percussion of the hard working Greta playing drums (with her feet) aiding her fierce banjo, slide and otherwise to a burst or two on harmonica giving it lot of drive. Making up the trio, Sunniva on lead vocals and rhythm guitar was a constant source of inspiration as she looked and played like a rock chick (a good vocalist she is too).
In recent times not too many exports have come from their beloved Sweden other than tennis stars, cars and the singing group Abba, but now Americana music has produced an act that looks set to break trends. Such is the girls ability to entertain as they force open the envelope, and lend leverage to their power through pulsating bass and, when she was let loose on slide banjo Greta had many ol’ sages gobsmacked.
With them all getting into the act, vocally, their album Fall Among Thieves gained a splendid airing. With few songs sounding better or more entertaining than the brooding tale concerning crime in America, ‘On A Day Like This’ (featuring splendid slide banjo) and with all guns blazing ‘One Horse Down’! Then there were the likes of the sharp, and less frenetic ‘Here To Pay My Dues’ and the gem of a ballad ‘Oscar Jr Restaurant Bar’ that speaks of their live debut. ‘Harsh’ with its restless approach and heart-tugging lyrics likewise alongside the breakneck ‘Out-Of-Towner’ where everything was thrown in and came out sounding great!

With some people up dancing and generally soaking in the feel goodatmosphere of a Friday night at the Cluny, Baskery establishedthemselves as a hot as spicy red chilli live act.
I speak with confidence when I predict that here is an act set for greater and bigger things.
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SUMMERTYNE FESTIVAL - Late July 08

What a fantastic Summertyne Festival we had this year. From New Orleans Boogie Nights with Neville Brothers and the incredible Allen Toussaint Quartet on Friday 25th July through to Cherryholmes & Martha Wainwright on Sunday 27th evening, not forgetting KD Lang on Saturday & our little bit in between. Sage Gateshead have got to be congratulated for their efforts & of course higher powers for the baking sunshine we had for the whole of the weekend.

Below - CJ Holley captures all things JHot stage for your pleasure

Sat 26th July
5.30- Ian McLagan & The Bump Band – Only The Faces keyboard man Ian Mac Lagan & his hot Austin Texas band could follow the Paperboy & there were smiles on the Jhot regular’s as big as the millennium bridge to a grand finale & a great afternoon of sunshine & music.
4.30  - Eli " Paperboy "Reed & The True Loves. A Sensational set of Stax flavored soul from Eli Paperboy Reed – the 24-year-old Blue eyed boy from Boston Mass…and indeed well worth the 3 month of many ups & down trying to book this pending superstar.
3.30 - Johnny Dickinson – Over 800 people were now around the grassy sage verge as Johnny D (old habits die hard) the very canny slide guitarist-songster from Northumberland charmed everyone.
2.30- Peter Bruntnell Trio - One of England's best kept musical secrets Pete Bruntnell & friends created a unique folk-Americana groove. Nice sitar too ….
1.30 - JT & The Clouds (JT Nero) Quirky & soulful songwriter JT Nero from Chicago with his buddy Chris Neal on keyboards lifted the afternoon crowd up a notch with their awesome Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham music
12.30- Ruth Minnikin & The Minnikins – The sun shone as Canadian songbird Ruth, & her brother Gabriel played some splendid Alt folk country- baroque early afternoon music.
12.00 – Mothers Ruin – locally based folk-bluegrass quartet with fine vocals & red-hot pickers kicked off our outdoor stage off.

Sun 27th July

5.30- Sarah Savoy & The Francadians – Real Cajun music is so rare these days and incredibly infectious, even the big issue paperseller was seen moving his vertebrae to this authentic troupe from France & Louisiana. An excellent finale to an excellent weekend.
4.30- Justin Townes Earle– Move over Stevie Earle, your son with his classic country fare, hip showman air & delightful Doc Watson fingerpick in is pulling heavily on your coat tail…
3.30- Danny & The Champions Of The World – A big surprise not only with their Wizzard like appearance, this lilting Americana music ensemble had touches of Neil Young & The Band, but mainly they sounded quite poptastic

2.30- Peter Molinari. Zooming in on the yellow bus from Newcastle Central station with only minutes to spare - old time country- folk songster Peter is fast becoming a cult, not only in the hip coffee houses of London, but also in the toon too, after this appearance
1.30- Elizabeth Cook – We needed some real Nashville country on this sunny day & chirpy songbird, Elizabeth Cook - a throwback to the early days of Loretta (Lynn) and Dolly (Parton) was just perfect

12.30- Peter Donegan Band – I once spoke to Lonnie Donegan about playing the Wow Festival in North Shields. He didn’t make it that year but I’m rather thankful his son made our JHot Outdoor stage. He was quiteamazing.

12.00- Cherryholmes – Very special guest opener’s, this family Bluegrass band have been blazing around the US on tour for 7 years now, luckily they only ventured up from London Gatwick this fine Sunday morning!!!

  SHIPCOTE