The Traders club is famous, it should be world famous. A classic venue settled in the picturesque Calder Valley and in an area populated by what seems to be a never ending supply of Hippies/Alternative/Crusties/Goths/Punks. Cheap good beer, even cheaper better food and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity rarely seen in most Corporate run venues.
Opening tonight is Sam Grassie. He’s not quite folk and not quite blues but a fresh Bert Jansch inspired middle ground between the styles. Exemplary finger style guitar work and a deeply resonant voice mark him out as a something special. The Scottish singer musically emanating from Londons Broadside Hacks folk ‘collective’ can captivate with a simple repeated lyrical motif and guitar licks.
Ryley Walker has returned to the UK in force of late, after a few years of hiatus he seems to be touring as prolifically as ever and his current list of dates covers most of the UK and Europe. The return has been in solo form, himself his distinct, clear and powerful voice and an acoustic guitar.
Its stuff to tell folks about (so here we are…). A veritable one man orchestra thumping and banging his guitar one minute then gently strumming it at other times and coaxing complex melodic patterns out of it that defy analysis. ‘Primrose Green’ and ‘The Roundabout’ are still in the set as is a haunting cover of Clinic’s ‘Distortions’ and Magazine’s ‘Back to Nature’ mixed in with newer material.
WORDS AND PHOTOS – RICHIE YATES
FOR MORE ON RYLEY WALKER AND WHERE YOU CAN CATCH HIM LIVE HEAD HERE!
HEAD HERE FOR MORE OF THE LATEST GIG NEWS FROM RGM.
