For Folk's Sake » Idlewild

Live: Roddy Woomble @ Black Box, Belfast – 30/01/2011

For Folk's Sake — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:28:00 +0000

Roddy Woomble needs no introduction or support on a bright but chilly Belfast afternoon. We’re full of Sunday lunch and optimistic anticipation of a great show as the occasional Idlewild front man graces the stage with Seonaid Aitken on fiddle and piano, Sorren Maclean on guitar and Gordon Maclean on upright bass. Each member of this alternative folk group is an accomplished performer in their own right: particularly Danny Kenny award-winning Aitken. This ensemble however proves greater than the sum of its parts with Woomble’s angular gait and awkward charm sitting at odds with that distinctive voice.

While the songs from My Secret Is My Silence focus on the more sedate rural life of the rugged Highlands of Scotland, there are moments when the transition from indie rocker to folk balladeer doesn’t seem like such a huge leap for the man who’s experiences in the far north of his homeland have shaped him as much as time spent in France, Edinburgh and New York City. Tunes like ‘Act IV’ and ‘As Still As I Watch Your Grave’ hold the crowd in hushed reverie while ‘Waverley Steps’ sounds as epic in the sold out venue as it does on record.

We’re treated to a selection of new tracks from the upcoming album “The Impossible Song & Other Songs” which promises to build on the success of Woomble’s debut effort and “Before The Ruin” recorded with John McCusker and Kris Drever. With a release date scheduled for later in the Spring we’re hopeful of a quick return from these folking Scots.

Scott Edgar

Live: Sparrow & the Workshop @ Wimbledon Watershed

Lynn Roberts — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:32:15 +0000

Rushing to get to a venue for 6:20 to see the support act may seem a bit strange, but that’s what we did, as Sparrow & the Workshop were supporting Idlewild at a venue in Wimbledon that was seemingly run by the elderly. The headliners finished playing by 8:30 and everyone was promptly thrown out. It was actually pretty brilliant to be able to have a night out and a night in, but that’s neither here nor there.

Sparrow and the Workshop came out, got set up and waited for the DJ — who was apparently too emotionally attached to the Jeff Buckley song he was playing to fade it out — to turn the music off. Once he did they started with the rather excellent ‘Into the Wild’, a song that encapsulates what’s so good about the band, great country-folk melodies and harmonies with a raucous backbone.

Each musician in Sparrow & the Workshop brings their own musical ingredient. Frontwoman and acoustic guitarist Jill O’Sullivan’s country vocals are cuttingly pure — but more haunting banshee than soothing angel. Gregor Donaldson is a phenomenal drummer, his dexterity is sometimes astonishing. As well as that he’s that most elusive of things, a singing percussionist, whose warm Scottish baritone adds harmonic depth to Jill’s vocals. Guitarist and bassist Nick Packer scuzzes things up nicely with a layer of distortion and noise.

Sparrow & the Workshop don’t sound like any other band. Rather than melding together, their clear influences sit separately to form a unique layered sound, which really comes into its own in a live setting.

Words: Joe Innes & Lynn Roberts

Brian’s Mixtape #20: The Big Freeze

Brian — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:33:11 +0000

Brr… it’s cold. Being a sensible sort of chap, Brian’s not going outside until all this horrid weather is over. You might think it’s better for owls, what with their ability to fly and all, but our poor mixtape maker faces the daily threat of having his wings frozen together and falling from the sky. Plop. Quite apart from being sore, it’d be awfully undignified, and Brian has a reputation to protect.

Instead he’s going to stay in with a delicious bowl of mouse soup and listen to the lovely tunes he’s cobbled together. Some about the cold and a couple that are just songs he’s discovered and loves.

Ella Fitzgerald – Baby It’s Cold Outside
Au Revoir Simone – Fallen Snow
Idlewild – Bronze Medal (Acoustic)
The Beach Boys – Cuddle Up
JayMay – Blue Skies
Liam Frost & Martha Wainwright – Your Hand In Mine
Pickin’ On Series – New Slang
Midlake – It Covers The Hillsides
The White Stripes – In The Cold, Cold Night
The Cranberries – The Icicle Melts
Headless Heroes – The North Wind Blew South
Efterklang – Cutting Ice to Snow

You can listen to the whole thing on Spotify. Brian’s Mixtape #20: The big freeze

If you’ve not got yourself registered on Spotify have a look at their website to learn more. And, if you need an invite (so you can use Spotify for free) let uncle Brian know in the comments section below and he will bestow one on you.

Have a snoop around our mixtape section to find Brian’s previous efforts.

For Folk's Sake » Idlewild

Live: Roddy Woomble @ Black Box, Belfast – 30/01/2011

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