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Grand Union + Two Different Roads

Venue: Twickfolk - The Cabbage Patch
Town: Twickenham
Date: 23/02/14
Websites: http://www.facebook.com/grandunionuk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Different-Roads/494047847349677
http://www.twickfolk.co.uk

Saw Grand Union supporting Soiree back in November, so, when we found out that they were going to headline at the Twickenham folk club, there was no question about it. We had to be there. On the stength of only ever having seen them play three songs before, we recommended them so highly that a friend of ours came along with us to see them. Could have been a bit of a risk. Just because my wife and I were blown away by this band, doesn't necessarilly mean that anyone else would be.

But we were fairly confident that the risk was low, and were proved right. Kim was as impressed as we were.

Because they are normally a five piece band, with a drummer and a violinst, they were a bit nervous of headlining as a trio, sadly a necessary prerequisite for a small stage, so they suggested that they played two twenty minute sets. The running order for the evening was therefore: around twenty minutes of floor spots from the folk club members, a short break to reach glasses followed by the Grand Union's first set; another brief comfort break followed by a twenty minute set from Two Different Roads, neatly rounded off with a second set from Grand Union.

One of the floor spots was a woman introduced as Bernadette. She wanted to sing Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song", but her guitarist hadn't turned up on time. Jim Smith from Two Different Roads volunteered to play for her. Extremely brave of both of them, having never met or

It was touch and go whether the last of the floor show acts would turn up in time. Sue Graves and Steve Poole (from Soiree) had been in Hemel Hempstead being interviewed on Radio Dacorum, and had driven straight from the studio to Twickenham. They arrived as Bernadette was finishing and had to go straight to the stage. They played two tracks, Emily Smith's "Winter Song" and Julie Matthews and Chris While's "Blue Songs On a Red Guitar".

Two Different Roads comprise the aforementioned Jim Smith on guitar and vocals and Iga Drzymkowska on vocals. Two Different Roads, and two quite different styles blended in to one. Jim's guitar playing (at least to my ears) is very reminiscent of Ralph McTell. Iga, on the other hand, has a voice that would suit musical theatre. They played John Prine's "Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness", their own song "Easy Does It", James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes", "I Dreamed a Dream", from the musical "Les Miserables", and their own song "Square One". A little bit of Broadway in Twickenham.

Not only was this Grand Union's first headline act as a three piece, it was also the first time that Caspar Sewell, their double-bassist, had played guitar with the band.

Wow is this band good. Can not wait to see them as a five piece. Kate Vahl has an extremely hypnotic voice, perfectly complemented by Simon O'Grady and Caspar Sewell's harmonies. Caspar apologised at the start because he had laryngitis. If that makes you sing that well, then I wish I had laryngitis.

There was some beautiful flute playing from Simon, as well. Very reminiscent of Ian Anderson.

Of the three songs they played on the previous occassion, they only played one of them, and that had been completely re-scored. The last time they played "Morning Brings The Night", Simon had played guitar and Caspar had played the double bass. This time round though, Simon played the flute, and Caspar played the guitar.

My favorite of their set was their encore, "I Remember My Life Like A Story." Some stunning bass playing from Caspar. It looked as if they had as much fun playing as we did listening.

Set List
Rain And Snow
Over The River
Motherless Child
Love Without Hope
Fall Into My Arms

Blackwater Side
Lovers' Lane
Change
Morning Brings The Light

I Remember My Life Like A Story

Pete Bradley