We get to Bush Hall in time to see the last few numbers of the impressive Ellie Rose who possesses a big voice for one so small that she is almost dwarfed by her guitar.
Next up are The Rails. For those not familiar it is the husband and wife duo of Kami Thompson (daughter of Linda and Richard) and James Walbourne, guitarist extraordinaire who has played with everyone and is regularly guesting on others records and gigs. I have lost count on the number of gigs I have seen James perform in. More importantly he’s a fellow gooner.
The Rails are not in the traditional mould of an English folk band which can often sound a bit twee and uninspiring. However, with James on board you are never too far away from a burst of electric guitar as his inner rock demons come to the fore. It’s an extended band tonight with another guitarist and fiddle player who have just been plucked from some folk kindergarden and its amazing how they can be so talented and so young. Kami is the typical English rose while James is sporting his best Gene Vincent, leather jacket and quiff.
Thompson and Walbourne share the vocals and they harmonise perfectly together, complimenting each other throughout the night with her classic English smooth voice and James’ growl although he has never sounded better and there is more depth there now with a touch of Neil Finn thrown in.
They rattle through the set which combines their only album with covers and some new ones on an as yet to be recorded second. We are transported on literally a musical journey that takes us with fair Warning at breakneck speed from the country through Holloway to the sea. And there for the grace of God go I.
There are many highlights tonight with the classic love song ‘William Taylor’, Fair Warning, the title track of the album and the excellent Borstal which allows James to crank it up to eleven in an explosive solo his father in law would be proud of.
Tonight was the perfect blend of light and shade and if this is the direction of folk in the UK then I for one am on board. Goodbye and Sayonara from me and keep on rockin y’all.