by Eric Kwiatkowsky

AFTER YET ANOTHER DAY of rushing round at work, I was very much looking forward to the evenings music. Once again, the Gotham City Bluegrass Band proved themselves well capable of opening the night for visiting musicians from the USA - Bill Keith was spotted warming up by quietly playing along in a corner while Gotham City were on stage. Geoff Bowers tipped his proverbial hat to Bill by playing Bill’s Out Of Joint. This tune brought back memories- years ago, Geoff left me slack-jawed with his rendition of that tune, worked out by ear long before the tablature became available. After the resident band’s opening set, Sharon Cort (guitar/vocals) and New River Ranch took the stage. NRR consists of Tom Corbett (mandolin/vocals), Walden Dahl (bass/vocals and occasional fiddle) and Bill Keith (banjo). I hadn’t heard Sharon Cort prior to this gig and I wasn’t disappointed. Her vocals came out with range and power and an ability to change from a whisper to full volume in an instant, while her material consisted of a variety of both self-penned and traditional bluegrass songs. Cry, Cry Darling immediately demonstrated that here was a singer able to convey bluegrass with passion and feeling, as did her rendition of Bill Monroe’s Can’t You Hear Me Calling. I was reminded more of the Country Gentlemen’s powerhouse version of this song than the more restrained Monroe version - it would be interesting to know from whom Sharon’s version was derived.

Sharon Cort and New River Ranch (Bill Keith, Tom Corbett, Walden Dahl)

Most of the vocals were duets, Warren Dahl’s voice blending superbly with Sharon’s. Although it’s use is in some quarters contentious, I hardly noticed that it was an electric bass that was being used, nor did a friend of mine. I’ve never understood why an electric bass shouldn’t blend with a bluegrass group, and here was proof that it is possible. Warren also played some fiddle during the evening, Angeline The Baker for example delighting the audience.

Tom Corbett is one of those players who just stands there making it look easy. No picking and grimacing here! John Hardy gave Tom a chance to showcase his rich lead vocal style.

Toms twenty year old Nugget mandolin had a well balanced tone, from a rich bass to sparkling high notes. I always like hearing musicians I’ve not encountered before, and Tom’s playing supplied plenty of his own refreshing ideas- proof once again that Bluegrass is not a static music and that new ideas within the idiom are always being generated.

Bill played his Rich and Taylor ‘Bill Keith’ banjo throughout the evening, coaxing a wide variety of mellower sounds from the instrument during vocal accompaniment. Earl’s Breakdown - “Hum along with this!” he quipped, before demonstrating what a gutsy tone he achieves on these classic Scruggs instrumentals. Flint Hill Special was also treated to a good outing. The encore number was Devil’s Dream, blending unannounced into June Apple, the change of tune drawing applause from the afficionados present.

Geoff and Pat Bowers’ work in setting up the evening was acknowledged by the healthy applause from all present. As on the previous occasion, a good crowd, about ninety-five - turned up. Coming soon - the amazing Shankman Twins, with a full American band. I’ll be back!!

Eric Kwiatkowski, Nottingham.

by John Prytherch

I always enjoy going to any concert that Dave Bresnen organises because I’m assured of that “Bluegrass family feeling” which reaches out to all and sundry - and this concert was no exception! Although I was one of the first to arrive (an hour and a bit before the concert was due to start - we get up early in North Wales) it wasn’t long before a lot of the old familiar faces were turning up and It was pleasing to see a lot of new faces as well.

Dave has on several occasions promoted a double bill using a non-Bluegrass band as support. Whilst this may not please the purist, it brings in an audience who would not usually listen to a Bluegrass band thereby (and hopefully) increasing the potential audience for other Bluegrass gigs. This time the ‘newbies’ had come to hear a traditional Irish band.

Half an hour to go and the Melling Tithe Barn was certainly filling up and by the time Fahey, Murphy & Maguire kicked off every one of the 120 or so seats was occupied. (Dave says that he has to follow a strict policy concerning ticket numbers - in fact I know from past experience that I need to book as soon as I get the flyer). Although the air temperature in the Tithe Barn was “cool” the atmosphere certainly warmed up quickly to some great instrumental work by the lads.

Not being a true follower of Irish music I was getting a little impatient towards the end of the set - however I do realise the necessity for this type of double bill.

If it brings more people into Bluegrass - especially a younger set, I’ll put up with a little inconvenience!

At Melling Tithebarn.

Although Sharon has a good singing voice and sang some beautiful songs - for me the true stars were the band. Bill Keith was a true ‘pro’, as you would expect and I almost felt that he was conducting a banjo workshop constantly using the mike to ensure the balance and with one eye on the other band members. ( I did feel that he was a little unsure of the arrangements ) Walden Dahl showed himself to be a competent musician having written songs for Alison Kraus and others. His duet with Sharon on the Everly’s Let It Be Me was a high point for me.

Now then --Tom Corbett was something else!

Tom played his mandolin with such expertise and feeling. He’s a big guy with big hands and makes his mando. look like a toy, but he plays “real” music! (even the Irish lads were ‘gobsmacked’) All the songs he sang sounded as if they were written for him and his incredible voice.

I feel sure that we here in the UK will see and hear more of Tom and Walden in the future. Keep me a seat!

All in all it was a very successful concert in that everybody present enjoyed the evening - and my thanks to Dave, Gaynor and family for the effort and hard work put in so that I could have such a wonderful evening.

John Prytherch, Conwy.

Photos: Chris Wilson, Skelmersdale.

1st May 1999