By Eric Kwiatkowski. Click for Geoff & Pat Bowers' report

Previous articles on this band: | At Nottingham | At Liverpool |

A welcome return visit by this top class group lit up the gloom of February. Dick Smith's banjo work embraced elements of different styles depending on the song - hard driving Scruggs on Dear Old Dixie with Don Reno present on Mac Wiseman's Shackles and Chains. The Stanley Brothers' repertoire was visited for one of my favourites, Another Night, along with Ridin' That Midnight Train and Paint the Town.

Ray Legere impressed with his beautiful work on fiddle and mandolin, and also his ability to change instruments during one of Dick Smith's banjo solos, and then instantly let fly on the new instrument. In one solo spot Ray mesmerised us all with his Irish-style fiddle work. During a breaktime conversation with Ray he said that, because of the different bowing approach, it could seem odd changing styles at times - however, he also likes swing jazz fiddle, and I think we'll be hearing some of that as well before long!

The audience were delighted to hear some fiddle and banjo duets - Wheel Hoss and Katy Hill played with feel and drive. Nine Pound Hammer was taken at a fast pace, as was Ragtime Annie. Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline Rag brought back a few memories - I discovered Norman Blake's playing on this number when the record came out, just had to hear more by this guitarist. So I promptly found a copy of Norman's first solo record Back home in Sulphur Springs at Collect's record shop in London back in the early '70s. Happy days!

Underpinning the group's sound was the propulsive work of new group member Ernie Sakes on bass, who also pleased the audience with some Hank Williams material during the evening.

Mike O' Reilly is the 'front man' for the group, with a powerful, traditional-style-bluegrass lead voice, and a talented comedian. On their last visit, I had the feeling that he was a little unsure of English audiences, but this time round, he knew that he was playing for a bluegrass audience. The comedy was hilarious and he also enjoyed some friendly banter, such as:

Mike: "We've had a request for this one, it's Little Maggie - we'll do it in the key of D."
Fan in the audience: "No, I want it in G!"
Mike: "Step up onto the stage, then!"

After three full sets, a tired but musically rejuvenated audience went home, but the group stayed behind for a while, talking to musicians from the audience.

Thanks again to Geoff and Pat for all their hard work in bringing these wonderfully talented musicians to Nottingham, and to all the groups we've had the privilege of hearing and seeing for making the long trip across the Atlantic to play and sing for us. What better way could there be to spend a February evening?

Eric Kwiatkowski, Nottingham

29 Feb 2004