Friday
Tom's one of those artists that tells great stories
about how his songs came into existence. He could get twice as many songs in,
but no one really cares because he is such good value as an all-round
entertainer and that's before you start talking about his considerable guitar
skills.
This is Americana with a Tex Mex flavour. The heat gives it a very
local flavour, without the cheap cigars and tequila. He reminds people that in
his early days music was fuelled on bourbon, coffee and cigarettes, so how can
Bristol have a no smoking policy and still expect good music.
The crowd are
eating out of the palm of his hand and he keeps supplying the food. He takes the
chance to plug the back catalogue. He's got a new single due out to boot.
His
songs are people political. US domestic and overseas policy come in for some
real stick, particularly immigration policy and the roll of America as self
appointed policeman.
He personalises a
number of songs, catching characters in the audience and dropping a line into
the
song. Truly a master craftsman.
He's a bit Johnny Cash, a bit Leonard Cohen and yes, a bit Kerouac, but above
all he's all Tom Russell and we thank him for that.
It's time for some hard
rocking blues. Cambridge has a reputation for booking top blues artists of both
genders and this year is no exception. Marcia Ball has blues nominations as long
as a gorilla's arm.
There's a problem at the start, someone has forgotten to
plug Marcia's piano in. Faux pas corrected the band give it all they've
got.
Marcia's guitarist rips into a fantastic solo, complete with great
facial expressions, giving the impression that he might have 'followed
through.'
It's a bit loud for some, judging by one of the shouts. A simple
solution might be to move further back.
Marcia and her band are the loudest
act so far. She gives the impression of a prim and proper grandmother. Then you
discover that granny has been at the drinks cabinet and decided to throw her
dignity away.
She's proud, she's loud and she's going to enjoy herself and so
are we. There's only one sax player, but he seems to be doing the job of
two.
For someone sat at a piano, Marcia Ball has a lot of movement. She knows
her way around the keys. She also knows how to put together a routine.
As
well as ripping it up, she knows how to bring it down low. Her voice is equally
suited to both.
It's a well balanced set, but there are times you think she
was thrown by the start.
A lot of the material reflects her history, not to
the point of cliché, but some of it is familiar and not just because I've got
some of her albums. It's a minor point shared history must by its nature produce
shared experiences.
My acid test is is enjoy factor and the litmus paper was
definitely red, or should that be blue? Whatever I enjoyed it!