WELSHPOOL’S Raven Inn is the venue for the first big live music events of 2011 as many of the town’s musicians and rising stars will be playing on Saturday, January 29, from 8pm.
Halflight, Andrew Neve, String The Marrionette, Rob Picken, Moses, the Misty Blue Trio. and Rob Dunsford will all be lining up for the live show to celebratre the release of volume one of “Welshpool (Collected)”, the first CD showcase of local musical talent which includes tracks by all those appearing live plus others including Colour Sunday, the Velvet Dukes and Voodoo Johnson.
Proof that Welshpool rocks, the 13 track CD opens with one of the area’s most successful bands Colour Sunday who hit their stride like Biffy Clyro with guitar action unleashed and drums not far behind on “Wherever You Call Home”. The band’s songwriter Rob Picken has his own track mixing a touch of hip hop with funk guitar to good effect on “Whatever Taryn Said”.
Chris Cookson has gone on to find success with an acting career in London and as his new band Halflight whose track here “Warrior” slows things down with a wistful look at the futility of warfare from the view of those fighting it.
With violin and nifty jazzy edges The Velvet Dukes don’t disappoint with the well crafted album highlight “Won’t Give Up”, with band member Dai Robs, who released his own CD before Christmas, sounding a little REM’s end of the world with “It’s OK” accompanied just by his acoustic guitar.
Another group that sound destined for greater things are The Misty Blue Trio, with “A Shot of Your Love” having echoes of Jonathan Richman. It’s captivating and I’d like to hear more of them.
I’d also like to hear more of Rob Dunsford with accordion adding a Gallic yearning to the love song “Time to Go Home”.
Other solo performers include Andrew Neve exploring a gentle wonderland with the aid of his time machine and intriguing lyrics on “Numbers and Time” teetering on a manic ending; while El Heath is reminiscent of Nick Drake and none the worse for that with the ethereal and haunting “Tragedy at George’s Shaft”; and Jack Taylor provides a melodic album ending with memorable tune and lyrics on “My Visions”.
Moses, from the imaginatively named Moses Eats Cheese, contrbutes the rampaging chunky emo “(Of This I Am Sure)”; String The Marrionette get things buzzing with their “When The World Collapses” powerglide; and Voodoo Johnson show their strength on “End of Empire”.
It’s a pity there aren’t more places for them to play locally, but at least this CD gives people a chance to get a taste of the wealth of music that is being made in Welshpool and things can only get better with a second volume already in the works for this summer.
The CD is released by Teller Promotions who are organising Saturday’s gig. Admission costs just £2 or £5 to inclujde a copy of the CD itself.