All the rage
Whilst the subject matter ranges across some topical and perhaps controversial current affairs (EagleVulture, Ain’t You Great), plus universal themes of love and life (My Flame), the musical references are undeniable. Howlin’ Wolf and Elmore James meet Bob Dylan (Highway 61 era) and some good ol’ southern soul but above all it is Siegal’s lyrical humour and invention that piques the interest.
One notable pundit once described Siegal’s work as being “awash with wit, lust and distraction” but the truth is he has always mastered the rhythm of words as much as the deployment of them. No slight distinction.
Siegal is originally from Portsmouth and currently resident in Amsterdam hence the album’s final cut, Sailor Town (written with fellow musician, Hook Herrera), which depicts all of the typical port’s seedier elements.
Hand-picked support for the Ian Siegal Band in Sage Gateshead’s Hall 2 this Sunday night comes from the Rotterdam fourpiece, Dawn Brothers, who will no doubt warm up the audience nicely with their classic roots-rock, evidence of which is available on a new album, Stayin’ Out Late.
Before that show, Lilly Hiatt and her trio, play a show in Cluny 2 tomorrow night. Lilly is the daughter of one of America’s finest musicians, John Hiatt, and she has played music since the age of 12.
Born in Los Angeles (but raised in Nashville) and with a stellar musician/songwriter for a father, a musical career must have always seemed like the obvious path. However, it was only six years ago that she released her debut album, Let Down, which was produced by guitarist Doug Lancio who had worked alongside her father and with Patty Griffin and others. Four years prior to that Lilly sang on her father’s 2008 album, Same Old Man. Lilly Hiatt issued her third album, Trinity Lane, last year and she described the album as being the result of much personal resolve and hard work to see it to fruition. The accomplished North Yorkshire singer/ songwriter, Elaine Palmer, opens the show. Next Tuesday night, Sage Gateshead’s Hall 2 plays host to one of the last remaining 1960s Greenwich Village originals, Tom Paxton. The evergreen singer/songwriter has over 50 albums, recorded alongside Ian Siegal a seemingly endless touring schedule. His songs have been covered by a cast of peers which is as extensive as it is eclectic.
Brilliant Canadian old-timey trio, Sheesham, Lotus & Son, have built a cracking reputation for their live shows which sees their collective depth of knowledge of some classic material (of Appalachian/vaudeville/blues/hokum origin) combined with instrumental virtuosity on fiddle, banjo and sousaphone. On top of that is the priceless ability to entertain.
The trio have three albums to their name and have been compelling critics in North America and Europe to offer boundless praise for their live shows. Dynamic, subtle, authentic and fun. Now that is a combination which is irresistible to even the most jaded palate. Catch them on Thursday at Cluny 2.