Friday night. Time for some Guinness. Time for some music. Time to get in out of the rain. A Free Candy Session featuring Colin Train, Maeve O'Boyle and Paul Malcolm? That will do nicely!
First on is Paul Malcolm. One man and a half-sized guitar is what we get and he certainly shows some dexterity on the old fret board but for reasons best known to himself, he has brought his own microphone and that manages to make him sound like he has a bad cold. Or maybe he actually had a bad cold? It is that time of the year after all.
Coming across in considerably more clarity is the next act, Maeve O'Boyle. Clarity and intensity, in fact, as she really gets right into the delivery of her songs with the up-tempo "Carnal Attraction" really standing out. She has also brought along some able support from Greg Barnes on the piano. Poised and confident, she makes a very positive impression and she has a new album due for release early next year. Looking forward to that already.
Last on tonight is Colin Train. A more affable performer is hard to imagine as he meanders his way through his set of folk flavoured songs. You don't often see someone as relaxed as this guy is on stage but he can handle that shiny red accordion as well and uses it to good effect on "Wrong Bus to Dumfries". Judge Bluesbunny finds him guilty of being a true entertainer (and that is a bit of a rarity these days!).
And when the music and the Guinness are finished? Time for chicken pakora!