BLUEGRASS MUSICIAN AND club organiser Bryn Williams has - through his alter ego 'Johnny Plank' - created a most memorable character. Together with his sons Stuart and Russ, who form the backbone of the Planktones bluegrass band, Bryn has established a make-believe world of his own, as visitors to his web-site will instantly appreciate.

And it was the House of Plank which presented the Schankman Twins on the final night of their short return tour of this country. The Ex-Servicemen's Club provided a much improved venue compared with the cramped conditions of last year's Helsby gig at the Horse and Jockey pub, and was able to comfortably accommodate an audience of around 100.

Photo Copyright © 2000 NWBN. May not be used without permission

The Schankman Twins - Dana and Lauren - are now 21 and have blossomed into very accomplished performers. Opening with How Mountain Girls Can Love (from their first album Duality), the Californian duo mixed traditional bluegrass material with country songs such as the Dolly Parton number Applejack, John Prine's Paradise and Johnny Cash's Home of the Blues.

Dana plays banjo and handles the lead vocals while Lauren, on fiddle, harmonises on every song. Their younger brother Michael Alden plays stand-up bass and took the lead vocals on several numbers, notably Blue Moon of Kentucky. Completing the band were an excellent mandolinist and the Chicago-based Matt Boswell on acoustic guitar. He obtained the biggest cheer of the night for his gutsy lyrics on I Ain't Broke but I'm Bound to Be. Matt also provided some light relief with his Elvis impression to whom he does, indeed, bear a passing resemblance.

The gospel number I'll Fly Away, which closed the first set, and Dana's vocals on Smoke Along the Track, which opened the second set, were particularly enjoyable. Perhaps the standout moment though, was an instrumental number, Jay Ungar's haunting melody Ashoken Farewell, which allowed Lauren to fully demonstrate her mastery of the fiddle.

Chris Haggett, Warrington.

At the Test Match Hotel, Nottingham

THE SCHANKMANS' DOOO was a complete sell-out! Fire regulations quota at the Test Match Hotel legally allowed another fifteen but I didn't have the gall to cram any more into the hall and Pat put up a 'sold out' sign before we opened.

What a well-deserved attendance it was too. The performance that they put on in the same venue last year made sure of that. There was some shocking news to come though: the mandolin player from last year, (was it Dave Peters?) who had seemed a little irritable with the rest of the band, had died at the age of thirty-two of a drugs overdose!

Every cloud has it's silver lining though; his replacement, Geoff Midkiff, the original mandolin player of the Lonesome River Band, was just something wonderful to behold. I have the luxury now of taking for granted the great sound that Lauren, Dana and Micheal Schankman deliver and that certainly was borne out this time. Geoff Midkiff however, was an unknown quantity generally and shone out like a beacon on stage. He clearly was the musical director of the sound that night. He delivered a ripping virtuoso performance that provoked loud, appreciative applause from the enthusiastic audience who had travelled from all points of the compass and some, for hundreds of miles.

The guitar player Mat Boswell, worked like a trojan in his solos and backup and was not at all helped by a sound system that did not give of it's best as far as he was concerned.The sound man had all on to cope with it and I've had some stern words with him! (Ok, ok - it was me alright? ) Some valuable lessons have been learned there and it's certainly true that, 'learning doesn't come cheap!' As the night passed, some improvement was made and people were quick to show their appreciation of Matt's talent and hard work.

In common with all of the Schankman family, both Geoff and Mat are not only fine musicians but thoroughly good-natured people - a real pleasure to work with.

As usual, the fine fiddle playing of Lauren and the solid banjo playing from Dana was very well appreciated, as was the dependable bass playing from Michael. The vocal blend between the two / three is just a joy to behold. Michael's own songs were much appreciated and his voice is maturing very nicely. When the instrumentals were done there was just so much energy and drive that the crowd went wild after each break! All of this was done in spite of the early absence of monitors to the stage and, as most of your readers will know, there's nothing worse that being unable to hear one's own efforts properly.

The band played the whole show without support and so the crowd were treated to three spots delivered with great panache. As usual, there was a strong and growing contingent from the Country scene so the Schankmans are helping to spread the Bluegrass Gospel here. Unusually for Nottingham, there was even a fair few of the local Bluegrassers. As I turned around on stage to thank the band, the surge of rapturous applause coming from the floor to the band hit like a tidal wave. What a fitting end to a great night. Happy days.

Geoff Bowers, Nottingham

21st Sept 2000