Two new experiences tonight - my first visit to Barry West End Club to see a gig and the first opportunity to see the up and coming folk songstress, Kelly Oliver.
But tonight is a joint gig, in terms of onstage time with the duo Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater.
Tobias & Lukas took to the stage first. With just guitar and double bass as accompaniment, it was an unusual but pleasant sound that the boys made.
Both of the lads are now veterans of the Folk & Roots scene and showed their stage craft with some witty one liners.
They breezed through a strong set based around Tobias' solo output. The guitar and double bass sounded really good together and hopefully the guys will get together soon and get some new material down.
Check out a Folk Radio interview with the boys on the link below
It's always good to get in early and see a performer at the start of his/her career in music. I had heard good things about Kelly Oliver and I was relishing the opportunity to catch her live - and being here on her first visit to the principality. It was a beautiful day down here in Wales and was topped off by an equally beautiful performance from the young songstress.
Kelly is still touring her first album - This Land - which features both self penned tunes and some well chosen covers.
Kelly seemed to be totally confident and self assured up there on the stage, (this gigging game obviously appeals to her), but with an appealing vulnerability which complimented her delicate voice perfectly. A debut album is always tough, which direction to take, what songs to choose if she covers another songwriters tune. But she is definitely getting some good advice if she chooses classic tracks like Caledonia and is able to make the song her own in her own style.
Her set kicked off with the song Off To The Market and she never looked back from there. With the audience on her side, she had the crowd in the palm of her delicate hand and never let them go all evening.
An early highlight was the song Kelly recorded called Diamond Girl, with another superb, young singer/songwriter - Luke Jackson.
At the moment, Kelly is preparing songs for her second album and we were treated to several new songs this evening. And if she can keep the quality of the songs like the ones she previewed tonight then she's got the makings of an absolutely glorious album.
Kelly has been getting some airplay from the likes of Bob Harris especially with the song Jericho
New songs included Ghost Of The Night and Some World, although the bulk of the songs played tonight were from her debut album.
Below you will find a review of This Land by the respected Blog Site - 3 Chords & The Truth.
Kelly was joined on stage by Lukas for several songs towards the end of her set and the extra instrument gave an added dimension to her live work. Perhaps she will look into playing with a band behind her on a forthcoming tours with the second album - as other young folk stars Blair Dunlop and Luke Jackson have done before her.
The final song of Kelly's set was the self penned Mr Officer.
She then brought Tobias and Luke back to the stage where they played Dylan's magnificent Boots Of Spanish Leather and the classic The Lakes Of Pontchartrain.
The two excellent covers brought a very enjoyable evening to an end.
I think I was there to see the birth of a star in Kelly Oliver and hopefully she will confirm the promise on her second album. At the end of the day it's always the quality of the music that counts and Kelly showed that in spades tonight. A young lady to keep your eye on.
Twitter - @kellyoliverfolk
@TobiasbenJacob
@LukasDrinkwater
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