I wrote this the day after the gig - and promptly forgot to post it - it's been one of those weeks... But here are a few thoughts on a great evening...
I have been meaning to get over to 'Traditions at the Tiger' in Long Eaton for a long time – but for a variety of obscure reasons, have never made it. My loss... Finally dragging myself from God's Little Acre over the county line with the automotive help of Mr and Mrs B – who help to run this club. A reasonable sized room in the traditional way – over the pub. With an incongruous pool table in the middle – which was useful for putting cds and tapes on... (I had wondered if there would be a game in the interval, as a couple of lines from an old Jackie Crowley song went through my mind: 'And every man jack was up for the crack, with his arse in the air playing pool.') High ceiling, which resembles the club room above the Swan in the Rushes back home. Good for resonance...
Tonight: violin master Tom McConville in a duo with guitarist David Newey. But beforehand, in both halves, a demonstration of the depth of talent this club has – with their residents apparently a little depleted, still, some fascinating songs delivered in a variety of styles and voices – from Dave Sutherland, John Bentham, Al Atkinson, Corrine Male, Jack Crawford - plus Sheila Bentham's storytelling skills – and another nice surprise, the redoubtable Bill Wilkes and Lynne Cooper from the Barrow club (where I would be the next night) who had also crossed the county line. Great singing from the tradition, backed with a depth of knowledge and erudition, delivered with skill - and humour...
Tom McConville has been around, as they say... Supported by supple guitar, flatpicked and fingerstyle as applicable, he delivered tunes and songs, a lyrical voice with plenty held back in reserve, nothing forced, soaring violin, underpinned with the rhythm section of John Lee Hooker – a firm stomping brogue. David Newey accompanied sympathetically, switching from up on the one – for the traditional stuff – to the more syncopated 2 and 4 for more American influenced syncopation. A class act - and to my mind, ample room for crossover – this is music that is well capable of reaching a wider audience – without compromising integrity. I know McConville has played around Europe and beyond to the USA and that widespread experience is easily detected in the broad spread appeal of his material where different traditions can blend easily, held together by a sharply focused vision, exemplary skill – and abundant good humour... He's a droll cove...
Roll on the next one - Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley (no strangers!) on June 7th...
