THE HEATHER FINDLAY TRIO

Aces And Eights: A Night In The Saloon Bar BLACK SAND Doncaster diva commemorates an intimate ‘Evening With’.

It’s been 18 months since Heather Findlay gave us a lil’ Christmas present with her lovely winter album I Am Snow. Recently on tour with Thunder, prog activity for Findlay has been… lacking. Good news, then, of an album expected in 2019, with Thunder pal Luke Morley as collaborator and producer. While we twiddle our thumbs, Aces And Eights showcases an intimate gig played last April in Tufnell Park, alongside harpist Sarah Dean and guitarist Martin Ledger. Knowing this rock and blues bar-cum-comedy venue well, it’s interesting to see how the bijou space is used, the red-shaded standard lamp illuminating the background, the trio with just enough room to manoeuvre out front. Close-ups and multi-angles are nicely employed and the sound is warm and crisp. It’s a shame there are no moments to give context – other parts of the building, behind-thescenes set-ups, interviews, crowd shots – but there is 90 minutes of music, in two acts, from three fine players. Findlay’s shy on chat but her voice is bold and bright on Inner Dream and Day 13, while Ledger’s guitar is superlative throughout, ruling Dark Eyes and injecting some Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You Zep into Evergreen. JK