Library stage for Cassani

Oct 7 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ALMOST a year to the day since he last headlined a live show in his adopted home town, comedy troubadour Roberto Cassani will jointly top the bill in Perth next month.

The Italian import plans to take his unique brand of musical cabaret to the plush AK Bell library theatre on November 28, where a set from Scottish bluegrass kings The Moonshiners will also feature.

Cassani told Music Scene he’s looking forward to performing at the York Place venue after being impressed by its dynamics during a brief appearance there in the summer.

“I discovered the AK Bell theatre when my pals from Wang Dang Delta asked me to play a few songs at their album launch in July,” he said yesterday.

“I thought it was a great place and I am delighted to go back. I haven’t played Perth for a long time, which makes no sense.

“Given today’s petrol prices, I should really stick to gigs nearer my house!”

This year, hard working Cassani has played in venues as far as far flung as Orkney, and he also headlined acoustic stages at the Wickerman and Belladrum festivals.

And, when a leading music website offered five of the singer-songwriter’s CDs as competition prizes, the organisers received thousands of entries, to add to his growing profile.

Roberto said his co-headliners The Moonshiners, who are led by legendary guitar-maker Jimmy Moon, are deservedly regarded as “bluegrass royalty”.

The Clydeside-based band has delighted worldwide audiences for over 20 years with their acclaimed renditions of the form’s greatest standards.

“I have known The Moonshiners for about a year now and we have done a fair bit of touring together,” said Cassani.

“These guys are spectacular each time and I am honoured to share the stage with them. It makes you wonder if bluegrass was not actually invented in Glasgow!”

Supporting The Moonshiners and Roberto Cassani will be a couple of extremely talented musicians from Orkney.

Gifted young vocalist Leah Seator will be accompanied on acoustic guitar by Stewart Shearer, a well known and highly respected session musician who has played on many recordings.

Tickets for the November 28 concert are available via the AK Bell library and Bandwagon Music in Perth.

* DON’T miss next week’s Music Scene for the chance to win Roberto Cassani gig tickets and CDs.