The Troubadour - Wed Sep 24

Within minutes of entering the venue I hear snippets of The Tempations’ My Girl and Through Her Door by Paul Kelly, reimagined by expat folkie Danny George Wilson It’s one of those epiphany moments when you can tell yourself everything’s going to be alright. Leaving his band in England, bringing only his guitar and some stomp-heavy boots, Wilson bounces through some tender folk tinged with droning roots, aided by a curious warble in his voice. And a moustache/long hair combo that would allow him entrance to The Eagles circa 1975; that always helps.

Another gentleman stepping out in solo mode, Willard Grant Conspiracy playmaker Robert Fisher is the physical embodiment of ‘gruff’ before performance, as he sits solitary on a couch sipping from a tumbler. To ease the tension he may be exuding, and the dark nature of the songs he is about to play, he offers five shots of scotch at the front of the stage to all, a gesture which is quickly accepted by the crowd. His warm bass voice booms through the Troub, as lonesome guitar picking travels from drunkards prayers to country death songs, even taking a pause for some moving a capella. Fisher’s speech between songs provides added depth where others would waffle as the origins of his gloomy American are made public record. My only regret is that I was too lazy to pick up the free booze.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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