We were at the Band Room, Farndale, on Saturday night to see a triple bill. Two of the three were pretty good, starting with American singer-songwriter Jacob Golden, who clearly knew what he was doing, and had an excellent voice. Some of his songs were much better than others, but his emotional intensity was tremendous, and when matched by a song as strong as his mid-set 'Bluebird', powerful and thrilling. I found myself wanting him to sing Roy Orbison's 'Cryin''; and both Sarah and I were independently reminded of the Don Everly solo album Don Everly: tracks like 'Omaha'. I wondered if he knew the album.
Then on came ex-Snow Patrol person Iain Archer, from Northern Ireland, who kept alternating electric and acoustic guitar and played both beautifully. He had a touch of the Freddy Koellas about him. If I could make a CD (ha ha), he'd be my ideal lead guitarist: confidently imaginative, loud and resourceful, and strongly individual without showing off.
Just as I was thinking his set had been long enough - it had been a much-extended evening with a great deal of waiting around - he surprised the many fans who'd come from far and wide to hear him in this magical venue by giving us Van Morrison's 'Into The Mystic', done with fond panache and a fine blend of passion and great care. And then for the penultimate number, Jacob Golden joined him onstage for another surprise: a duetted version of Dylan's 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight'.
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