Cera Impala and the New Prohibition Band

Back in the House again, after a gap of several weeks, and what a grin-inducing event to return to.

Opening proceedings was folk icon and Edinburgh songwriting legend, Sandy Wright.  On the occasion, he informed us, of his 65th birthday.  Accompanied by Sarah McFadyen on fiddle and banjo, and Joey Sanderson on cello, Wright (piano accordion), launched into one of his best known compositions, Steel and Stone.  Untroubled by any need to milk applause, the group segued on into another two songs before pausing to let the audience catch up.  This gig was never predictable.

Joined onstage by Cera Impala and Dirk Ronneburg, we were given an eclectic mix of songs and some hilarious introductions.  As a quintet they were clearly unrehearsed, and it mattered not a bit.  The odd discordant moment only added to the sense of watching something unique, the essence of live performance.  Wright doesn't have the world's greatest voice.  But then neither does Dylan.  He does have warmth, imagination and humanity, and these more than make up for any technical imperfections.  He's a simple joy to listen to, and to watch.

After the break Cera and her band performed a range of new songs, many from their forthcoming album, Tumbleweed (and I'm looking forward to hearing that in the near future).  Mostly self-penned, her music is a mix of country, jazz, blues and a range of influences that reflects her international background.  The voice is husky, jazzy and sweet, her phrasing original and captivating.  A solo number with sparse ukulele accompaniment opened the set and was captivating.  Add in her finger picking banjo sound, and the sympathetic virtuoso fiddle of Doctor Dirk, plus the double bass of Sanderson, and you get the the New Prohibition sound.  Some beautiful lyrics and memorable tunes, thoughtful arrangements and rhythms to get the feet tapping.  The eccentrically talented Sanderson, on cello, double bass and cymbal (atop said bass), brings a vocal style that swings along a spectrum roughly bounded by Maria Callas and Tom Waits....

Above all this was a fun night, an event the audience felt drawn in to and won't forget quickly.