Small world. You know what we mean. You look at a guy on a stage and think to yourself that he looks familiar. It could just be the drink, of course. Talking of the drink, better order one now. David Duffy, Simon Kempston, Randan Discotheque and Washington Irving are making an appearance at a Free Candy Session. Can't do reviews without drinkies.
His name is David Duffy and Bluesbunny has actually seen him before. Down at O'Henrys on a Saturday night as I recall. Did not think he was a musician then. Must be the drink. Hope my mother isn't reading this as she will start doing that praying for my soul thing again. Not lacking is soul, however, is our Mr Duffy. Maybe it is that whole central Scotland thing mixing up folk with rock and soul to make the kind of music that you can raise your glass too. With songs like "Quietly Outspoken" and "The Life Pursuit" highlighting his confident, warm voice and fluent guitar style, he manages to make the world seem a happier place.
Simon Kempston is a serious guy. His songs are intelligent and show that concern that right minded people show for world events. With subject matter ranging from Northern Ireland ("Mad Dog") to the Baltic States ("Barricade"), he puts his point across with conviction. Seated and looking serious throughout, he has the kind of voice that makes everything he sings seem important. He is from Edinburgh, after all, and they don't party like Glaswegians do.
Randan Discotheque? A pure magic name of a band and they prove to be rather more light hearted than Mr Kempston even having a song dedicated to the legendary Scottish woman of the weather, Heather Reid. Adolescent fantasies and sunny days intertwine in this sweet anthem of obsession but just as you start writing them off as a younger, jauntier version of the Proclaimers they go off on a wander through the darker side of country music with "Grieve Mourn". There's a subtlety to the lyrics that bears closer examination otherwise you'll miss much of the dark humour that lives in there.
Rounding things off tonight are Washington Irving. Reckon this five piece band have been doing a lot of gigging given their solid and confident performance tonight. They mesh their folk influences into a catchy pop sound reminiscent of Prefab Sprout or even Aztec Camera. It is a sound that is easy to listen to and you can imagine "I Love It Here" becoming a bit of an anthem on the festival circuit this summer. Doubt that there are any serious drinkers amongst them but it would not be a surprise if they end up scaling the heights of musical success.
Another review. Another drink. The future's so bright, I've got to wear factor 50 sunblock. God bless global warming!