There’s Life in Penrith - August 16 at No.15
Charles Paxton September 3rd, 2007
When we heard that some of Cumbria’s best musical talent was playing at Penrith’s Cafe no.15 on Thursday night we knew that we were in for a real treat.
We arrived early in order to check out the best viewing angles and get some background on the event. If you haven’t yet popped in for a drink at Cafe No.15, I think that you probably should. It’s a ‘happening’ place; it proved to be a fine venue for live music - being at the same time both elegant and convivial, spacious and intimate, with a broad range of drinks and a laid-back atmosphere.
The announcement board promised a full evening’s entertainment - Paddy Rogan, Rob Heron, Man bites dog and Fiona Clayton. Any one of these acts would draw a good crowd, but with a line-up like this, the full house was guaranteed. Man bites dog opened in a very mellow vein, pleasing the gathering with a delightful warm-up that eased us all nicely into the event. As a fan of the band’s wilder music, it was nice to see their gentle side too. (See MBD Artist Interview)
As the applause died down and Fiona Clayton took up her position there was a tangible tension in the air - a hush of tense anticipation that proved to be fully justified by the raw power of the ensuing performance. If she glowed when I last saw her perform, she positively shone tonight. There’s still a fresh edginess to her music, but it is now enhanced with higher polish and a greater confidence in her performance. Her music was hauntingly beautiful and the audience weren’t reserved about showing their appreciation between the songs. In addition to her very popular Alice, there were two new songs in her repertoire - Let me in and Take me to the water. She’s an excellent live performer and the samples on her Myspace site hint at her potential in the studio. Her debut album is going to sizzle.
Watch Fiona Live @ No.15
Rob Heron was next to take the limelight and as he was a joint organizer of the event it was highly appropriate that he made the night so much his own with a spectacular performance of a very powerful repertoire. His song Waterfall echoed through my head all the way home.
Watch Rob Performing @ No.15
When Rob introduced the next act as one of the best guitarists he knows, the praise was not hyperbolic. Alongside some of these better known stars of Cumbria’s musical rennaissance Paddy Rogan looked right at home. He’s a British Folk Revivalist performing an alchemical fusion of folk and blues with a hint of jazz. His set was also all original, and his guitar work has a lovely warm timbre and a mature tone.
Watch Paddy Performing @ No.15