Alice Howe and Freebo, Bijou Cinema, Southport

Support came from The Cabin Hill Band - guitar, double bass and 4 voices.  Plenty of good musicianship and singing quality on offer, but their arrangements of some pop classics were weak.  Things imporved greatly when they moved on to some old time Americana - blues and gospel - and a self penned number from the guitarist.  

And then on to the stars of the night.  Howe and Freebo bring very different backgrounds and experiences together to form a duo that performs with love for the music and laughter never far away.  Freebo is a hugely experienced and talented musician, who can write some good songs and sing with the confidence of his years.  Alice is not as strong on the strings, but has a voice full of warmth, expression and range that can bring new life to oldies and passion to her own material.  Her cover of Joni Mitchell's A case of You is outstanding, standing up well to the original version.  While her own material shows her depth of songwriting experience, and ability to write from the heart.  Add in a lot of funny moments, and some audeince participation, and this was a wonderful evening of music.

Righ Aisgair : The Fisher King (A Play, a Pie and a Pint), Traverse

 2 young women hiking acorss the moors of Lewis.  Lexie (Fiona MacNeil) is on a mission, to fish in the loch where she used to go with her dad.  Effie (MJ Deans)  is, it seems, relauctantly chumming along, and not happy with the pace her pal expects her to go at.  Along the way there are tales of fairies and ghosts and some songs and jokes.  All tied in with a mix of happy and sad memories, and delights and fears.  And as secrets come out the pair learn about one another, and the mysteries of the land.  Ca they make it back safely in the dark, when the mist is swirling and confusing?

This is about the power of myth and how it can relate to real world issues, and about facing up to fears and secrets.  Gaelic is woven into the script, which works quite well, but the jokes lack punch, and the narrative loses it's way at times.  It's an interesting concept, and well acted by both parties (there is a third actor, but their appearance is brief - and weird), but lacks cohesion and a real conclusion.  Enjoyable enough, but not memorable.   

Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening, Traverse

Tickell is a folk veteran, a great creative and has her heart in the right place.  She was accompained by a 4 piece Darkening.  Amy Thatcher on piano accordion, vocals and... clogs!  Heather Cartwright on acoustic and electric guitars.  At the back sat Joe Truswell and his drums.  And finally Stef  Conner playing a lyre (!), mini keyboard and bits of percussion.  All bar the drummer contributied vocally as well, with only Heather not having a turn at singing lead.

While they form a very talented line up, the main attraction remains Tickell, playing the Northumbriam smallpipes and fiddle, and adding her own excellent vocal contribution.  Together they played a mix of new and trad Northumbrian music, with many influences from other lands, such as Galicia.  Indeed the set list was notable for variety, with a wide range of tempos, swithing between tunes and songs, traditional tunes given modern arrangemnts, no fear of experimentation, and the fun addition of Amy's clog dancing.  All that and a bit of audience participation too.  Tickell is a fun raconteur between numbers, and the interplay within the band was ofrten hilarious.

KY reamins one of English folk's powerhouse performaers, a virtuoso on an unfashionable instrument, with a delightful accent to talk to us in.  She is matched by the incredible Thatcher, and soaring vocals of Conner.  Hugely entertaining. and a night that brought a lot of smiles.