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Elly Roberts reviews
at Central Station, WrexhamWednesday 13th October 2004
CD: Just Beyond the River
Sandy-haired James Yorkston is blessed with a great gift: that of being able to write beautiful songs.,
For years he was playing in Punk bands and DJing in a Reggae club. Having hada considerable ear bashing from those days, hes finally come of age, wherehe now writes the music he always wanted to. So what is it? Some might call itdrone-folk. I call it music ; pure and simple.
By his own admission hes not a folk musician in the purist sense, though theinfluences are plain to hear, especially on the 5 track EP Somewhere Special.Theres nothing flash about his recordings or his live performances. Theoverall sound is very stripped-down and direct. Fronting his three-piece bandThe Athletes, he dropped by at Wrexhams Central Station and thrilled theforty-plus crowd with his unique blend of material, giving a masterclass inthe process.
Touring to promote their new album, Just Beyond The River, they provedtheyre at the cutting edge of 21st century contemporary folk.
During a mostly chilled-out ninety minute set, they drew a setlist from thethree releases. As a unit they played tightly, rotating instruments such asharmonium, bouzouki, double bass, mandolin, accordion, concertina, banjo andharmonica. Traditionally making up the setlist as they go along, they gentlylead us in with In Your Hands – a cool and relaxed ballad, as most themtend to be.
Surf Song a rewind of late night skinny-dipping with a girlfriend is awonderful lament on what might have been. Things turned up a pace withMoving Up Country, sounding like a wild west epic landscape asYorkstons harmonica breaks became a breathtaking showstopper.
This was equalled by The Cheating Game, possibly their most sing-alongtune of the night, again pointing to a relationship held very much at adistance for whatever reason, as Faisal Rahmans brushes skated the skinsat pace. Hotel, a gentle melancholic ballad, made the hairs stand onend as guitar, bouzouki, accordion and banjo weaved their way as a backdropfor the star crossed lovers.
Further moments of instrumental magic came with the pulsating banjo work ofYorkston on Banjo #1, yet another foray into some kind of Americantraditional back catalogue reminding me of early Eagles. This was thehighpoint of the night as the collective pulled out the stops on a rousing romp.
Finishing the night they couldnt avoid a traditional Scottish song BlueBlazing Blind Drunk in semi-a capella style.
Reflective, bitter-sweet memories of women and drink littered the night as hefondly handled the lyrics which Im certain, resonate with us all from timeto time. One of the best bands Ive had the privilege of hearing. Stunning.
Check out:
More info:James Yorkston.co.ukandDomino Record Co.com
Review & pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.