Shea Tomkins
GOOD THINGS come in threes, I'm often assured, and so it proved in the form of musical dalliances I have had over the past week. I received two texts which celebrated what the writers viewed as the rejuvenation of a music scene that lost its way, somewhat, since the turn of the Millennium and the decade that immediately followed (the name Noughties should be a giveaway in itself ).
The first text made reference to the spine-tingling performances of Paolo Nutini on BBC 2’s Jools Holland show. ‘Well done Paolo' read the text, ‘music is making a comeback'. The second message referred to the weekend's The Voice of Ireland final winner Brendan McCahey and labelled his success a 'victory for real music'. I go along with both opinions.
In its defence, Nutini was a product of the oftscorned Noughties. In general, however, that tenyear window cannot claim to have contributed such musical gems to the world as decades past.
The third piece of musical excellence I expe- rienced in the past week came via the most satisfying medium, a ' live' one.
The good woman and I decided a while back to introduce a monthly culture night into our time-gobbling parental existence and flicking through the local arts programmes, the name, Tumbling Bones, caught my eye.
Currently on an Irish tour and described as ‘ a trio of young men inspired by old music' these young and handsome twenty-something-year-old lads took to the local Arts Centre stage with revolving instruments including a banjo, guitars, double bass, a harmonica and a special guest fiddler who unapologetically made the most of any opportunity to sink a pint.
Think a fusion of bluegrass, pre-WWII folk, early unsullied rock 'n' roll, country and gospel, and you'll be somewhere close to imagining their sound; polished three-part harmonies were the icing on the cake.
Obligatory calls for encores by audience members are expected these days but seldom have I called for more, and genuinely craved it.
The Tumbling Bones are fresh, touching per- fection, and their passion and love for what they do glows from the stage - one of them even turns a few Fred Astaire dancing tricks mid-performance.
If you get a chance to check them out on their Lovin A Fool tour, do; their sound should appeal to people aged nine to ninety. Have a listen to their new single Broken Things (showcasing the extraordinary song-writing talents and vintage purity-of-voice singing style of Kyle Morgan) for a sample of the sound that will very soon have a permanency on the global arena.
Traditional music from Portland Maine, this is Mumford & Sons enhanced by the authenticity and deeply grounded roots the English act are often criticised for lacking.
See tumblingbones.com for more.