Review of Roddy Woomble and his band, supported by Laurie Cameron, at Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Apr 29 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S highly unusual when writing a concert review to open in praise of the scenery on stage: whether by accident or design, the very fine and enjoyable evening in the company of Roddy Woomble – Idlewild’s frontman adopting his solo and folksie persona – and his three-strong band was played out in the set of a country house sitting room complete with wood panelling and curtains. The result was cosy and intimate, in keeping with the music and gentle banter.

It was a disappointingly small audience for this Easter Sunday treat, but an appreciative one who soaked up Roddy’s deep, honey-smooth vocals and some excellent musicianship and harmonies.

Much of the material was from his newly-released second album – The Impossible Song and Other Songs – with its broad fusion of folk, country and gentle rock.

Outstanding numbers from this album performed live were Tangled Wire, with some lovely imagery in the lyrics about a car journey to Skye, and the upbeat Roll Along.

Roddy also delved into his debut solo album, My Secret is My Silence, and his collaborative CD with John McCusker and Kris Drever, Before the Ruin.

The encore was an interesting, well-chosen variation on the self-penned main set work, although the quality of performance was as high as the preceding songs.

The ensemble led off with ‘Niel Gow’s Apprentice’, Michael Marra’s little ditty written for Dougie MacLean; then backtracked to a super acoustic version of Idlewild’s ‘You Held the World in Your Arms Tonight’; and closed this excellent gig with ‘The Weight of Years’ which Roddy co-wrote with Edwyn Morgan for his Ballads of the Book project.

Contributing greatly to the music were Sorren Maclean on guitar/harmonies; his father, Gordon, on double bass; and Siobhan Anderson, from Killin, on fiddle and harmonies. It was a very confident and polished performance from this young musician, even more impressive given that she was playing her first gig with Roddy and Co.

Another young lady impressed: Perth’s Laurie Cameron was Roddy’s support act, and although her set extended to just four songs, they showed this singer-songwriter could have a promising career – as long as she breaks free from her melancholy groove.

Her opening number was downbeat but well written and performed with some excellent phrasing and nice guitar-work – reflecting strong shades of Damien Rice. But her palette was restricted to shades of blue – from her debut EP, The Melancholy Tide.

A cheerful tune, if she does them, would have shown better just what Laurie’s sweet vocals and thoughtful writing could deliver, and so her embryonic debut album could be an arrival worthy of anticipation.

Alison Anderson