The Roll's Boys Friday 9th March Traquair Village Hall The Roll's Boys played to a packed Stooriefit audience on Friday night in Traquair. Following in the footsteps of such Bluegrass greats as The Wilders, The Foghorn Stringband, Laura Boosinger and The Crooked Road Tour the five Roll's Boys had huge footprints to fill which they managed with ease. The band were soundchecking in the village hall within two hours of stepping off a direct flight from the Czech Republic into Edinburgh Airport. Having heard them soundcheck it was interesting to hear their accents change for the performance from middle-european to a deep american mountain twang as entertained the lively crowd with a mix of well-known favourites and their own true home-grown Bluegrass of the Czech variety. Locals living in the picturesque village of Traquair have watched with interest over the last year as their local Village Hall has grown in reputation to become the premier Bluegrass venue in the borders. Bluegrass has allways had a strong following in Scotland, mainly due to the hard work by John Sheldon and The Scottish Bluegrass Association, but George Clooney's appearance in the Film 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou' with it's Bluegrass soundtrack has also raised the profile of this fun music. The Roll's Boys performed a storming version of the classic 'I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow' made so popular by the film and brought the house down! The band are from the Czech republic but Ralph Schut being Dutch (and a superb guitar flat-picker) was the odd man out, but the language difficulties didn't stop him bantering with the audience even when heckled and asked to play some 'Greengrass' and he went on to provide witty, funny yet informative introductions to the tunes and songs. It's not often you come across a bass player who can, and will, sing, Ales Wesely is one of them, with a surprisingly sweet and high voice he gave us a string of lovely ballads, supported by Ralph and also the banjo player Zdenek Roh in the chorus. Zdenek follows the long tradition of Bluegrass musicians of making the instruments they play, he made his wonderfull banjo, and for the record it is mainly Maple, yet stained to a cherry finish. Zdenek doesn't make the metal tuners or the headrim, he keeps it all in the band and buys them in from the mandolin player's brother who makes them at home. Eda Kristufek is that mandolin player and when he isn't making his own mandolins he's out playing with the Roll's Boys providing a sharp twang to their sound, he delighted us all on Friday night by being a perfect counterpoint to Ralph's flat-picking. How his fingers move that fast is beyond me, but the sound...wow! Vit Piskac was the gentle giant that made his Dobro Slide Guitar look like a toy perched on his chest. The Bluegrass tradition is to play the slide guitar whilst standing up...no mean feat! Vit gave it laldy (you try translating that into Czech!) his steel sliding effortlessly to give that distinctive 'country' feel to the ensemble. These boys were so pleased to be in Scotland and had a fantastic time...of course that only happens when you have an audience that are enjoying themselves and joining in....the traditional Yehaarrr at the start of the evening nearly knocked Stewart and Lucy off their feet..from then on it was a foregone conclusion that everyone was going to have a fabulous time...we did! So many locals have started by coming along to see what all the fuss was about and ended up indoctrinated by the enthusiastic support for Bluegrass at Traquair. With such quality acts like The Roll's Boys...no wonder!
This Open Mic was, as usual packed with stunning performances! just when we think we've seen it all... you surprise us yet again!
RICHARD COBB took the brave decision to open the evening's entertainment Yet again Richard (with new hairstyle!) took to the stage and played us a mix of his beautiful songs and some covers, all delivered with feeling and style...well done Richard..see you soon I hope! Following Richard was a newcomer to our Open Mic, KENNY McCRAW. Kenny sang and played guitar with real feeling.It takes talent to fill the stage as a solo singer/player, yet Kenny seemed to fill the stage easily with his presence. Stepping in at very short notice to fill the gap left by a band that couldn't make it, Kenny gave a master class in how to tame an audience. What a clear voice Kenny has, complimented by steady finger-picking on the guitar he was a pleasure to listen to. We both hope Kenny returns to play for us again in the near future.
TOMMY and SIAN ASHBY were joined by well-known guitar virtuoso/tutor (and world Pelargonium breeder and expert) VINCE WOODS (check out www.vincewoods.co.uk). This trio have performed and stunned the Eastgate audience before, and they did it again, Sian has a beautiful clear voice that reminds me of Kate Bush at her best. Tommy's confident and subtle backing vocals and guitar work was such a compliment. Vince, as usual, gave a brilliant set, really as the strong, silent backbone of the group, never out of step, dependable and yet still providing all the fancy fingerwork we all love him for. Tommy's solo vocal was perfect...not much more to be said...When are you coming back again guys?
Ian Petrie had most of the girls in the audience swooning at his last visit...this time he decided to spread the good feeling around by bringing his brother (on keyboard and bass) and his mate (on drums). Lucy and I looked aghast at each other as they prepared for soundcheck..we watched in horror as the drummer put on Ear Protectors...Blimey! We thought we were in for a really noisy time...how wrong could we be. This trio were really riding the surfing waves of West Coast (Dorset) cool with a little contemporary singer-songwriter almost Dougie McLean meets Blur. Very laid-back and smooth. Lets see what Ian pulls out of the hat at Langholm next week?
STEP BACK AND TAKE TWO stepped forward into the spotlight (sans high heeled boots and little black numbers) to give a fantastic set, Simon provided the driving rhythm at just the right volume...so many drummers don't realise just how loud they are but Simon hit it just right, great beat, great volume control! Thomas and Sean played their skins off...not as flamboyant as we've seen them in the past, but slick, together and entertaining. Sean's gravel-voiced rendition of Doctor, Doctor...blew us away! Thomas proved himself yet again, the wizard of the progressive rock guitar style, go Thomas, you just get better and better!
The age range jumped a couple of decades to our next duo, RICHARD AND DON also known as Grateful Dad or sometimes Jefferson Wheelchair. These two get together every now and again to delight and mystify the audience...delight them with their singing, and mystify them with their ecclectic choice of material delivered with care and affection. everyone loves listening to them. They really do transcend the age ranges! Lets hope it's not as long before their next appearance.
THE RAYS Suzanne, Glyn and Ian. Suzanne and Glyn are locals, but this was their first time on-stage at an Open Mic....let's hope it isn't their last...what a talent! Early note had to be taken of Ian's sympathetic drumming, not many drummers can find the right place to put in a shimmer on the crash cymbals like Ian, it took me right back to the Floyd's Albatross... he fed in mix of drumming so well-suited to the songs that the only bit that stood out was his use of cymbals...thats saying a lot! If the drumming was excellent Glyn's guitar work was stunning and was only outshone by Suzanne's deliciously clear and note-perfect singing...What a voice! YOU MUST COME BACK!
Old favourites DANNY COCKROACH came all the way down from Edinburgh to give another magnificient performance that just confirms their supremacy of the Open Mic. Lewis is the just a perfect front-man, full of confidence and showmanship flanked by Bass player Duncan ...resplendant in leather jeans (mysteriously found on the green room floor ...go figure) and Peter on Lead Guitar are a formidable line-up..whilst Jamie is the drummer all other bands would kill to have...understated until it counts..then...watchout! No wonder this band has been cleaning up all over! Check them out on http://www.myspace.com/dannycockroach and buy their album ZOO FARM. Allways a pleasure gentlemen!
Well another Open Mic closed to rapturous applause...or thanks go to Martin for manning the sound desk, Richard for setting the lights and being an all-round best Techy to work with and all the other volunteers who keep the Eastgate running!
Well...our first Open Mic in The newly re-furbished Buccleuch Centre in Langholm. It's a long way for our regulars to travel...lte's see how many good folk from the town of Langholm come out to see what's going on. So far we have three regular performers at our Peebles nights who have agreed to stand up on stage and entertain away from home. Ken Barrett is well known in Edinburgh as the laid-back jazzed-out guitarist with the smoothest of voices...roast coffee without the granules! Mike Allan hails from Innerleithen and has a style all of his own...sort of country/rockabillie-bluegrass with strange West-Coast (Scottish) twang and twist to his performance. Our third Peebles regular is Ian Petrie from Berwick. Ian took the Eastgate by storm in January with wind-blown tanned surfer looks, and beautifully haunting voice... he had all the girls swooning, then he came back at the end of March and did it all again...much to the amazement of the younger bands! Go Ian! All three of these singers write their own songs, each has a totally different style and approach, each is a complete and rounded performer, you have to see these guys! We have had two requests from local Langholm performers to appear on the innaugural bill: Paul Milligan and his band BAD EXAMPLE, and solo singer John Graham check him out at www.johngrahamvocalist.co.uk So...all you musicians in Langholm and surrounds...get in touch BEFORE 11pm Friday 30th March to book your slot on Saturday. See you all down there guys! Only £5 a ticket for a brilliant show for all ages!