Blues Afternoon, Spiegletent, St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

A change in venue this year, with a different spiegeltent in a different square (and much more uncomfortable seats!).  But the format of the Blues Afternoons remains the same.  Three sets by different artists, with the idea that the quality of the musicianship improves each time.  Which it probably did, but, stragnely, on this occasion I found the level of entertainment decreased...

LONE BEAR BLUES

An Edinburgh based duo playing old time blues and ragtime from the 1920s, 30s, 40s...  Lone Bear himself originates in Brazil, plays resonator guitar, with a bit of harmonica and kazoo (!) thrown in, and a fine, expressive singing voice.  Accompanied by Australian Gerogia Ollier on Washboard and backing vocals (and audience participation lead).  The songs are fun, the guitar work not stellar but always enjoyable, and the washboard brings authentic character to the sound (and gets in a lovely solo too).  They can be very funny too.  A really good start to the session.

THE NICHE FAMILY

A young four piece band from Glasgow (there was a funny story about how they lost their fifth member, the bass player, at a recent festival in Denmark) playing country music with blues influences.  Most of their material was self penned, with a couple of covers (one from the Beatles) sprinkled inbto the mix.  Their song writing isn't the best, but they make up for that in delivery.  

While the rhythm guitarist took on most of the lead vocals, both the lead guitarist and banjo player took on their share of the role, so there was plenty of variety in the set.  Only the mandolin guy kept his voice limited to backing vocals.  Decent enough solos from the instruments, plenty of stories and laughs, and an infectious enthusiasm.  A really fun set.

MUIRREAN BRADLEY

Headling the show was 18 year old Irish wunderkind Bradley, who has built up a strong reputation in her short career to date.  A blues guitar virtuoso and accomplished vocalist, with an extensive knowledge of old blues music.  She's got a good voice for the genre, and her playing is admirable.  But...

This was a long set, of around 75 minutes.  I had been hoping for a demonstration of guitar fireworks.  Maybe I set my expectations too high, bsed on some YouTube videos.  Because there was only one (very enjoyable) instrumental.  And while I like the voice, and there was vareity in the songs, after a while it all started to sound a bit 'samey'.  In between numbers she shows she knows her stuff, but it's a bit much to expect someone so young, however mature and experienced, to have full command of stagecraft.  But that will come, along with a nore balanced set list I hope.  In a few years time I suspect Ms Bradley will fully justify that star billing.