NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC
NIGHTS
What we said about
Tryckster
Tryckster: folk-rock fusion
works at The King's Head
These days music is literally pouring out of Allendale, music of all kinds fusing together in a patchwork of so many sound colours that it can be difficult to categorise. Whatever it is, it's certainly alive!
And that was the impression last week when Tryckster, a Celtic folk-rock fusion outfit crowded onto the tiny stage at the King's Head. You could scarcely believe that six people, including a full drum set, could assemble themselves at the end of the intimate room, let alone play some fine rocking riffs.
But Joanne Braniff on bass guitar, Neil Reay-Bennett on bouzouki and mandolins, David Camlin on lead vocals and guitar, Yvonne Ready-Bennett on flute and whistle and Mark Newport on fiddle, with Craig Hoggarth on the drums behind them, set about their double set with a professional gusto that showed why the band are local Cumbrian folk heroes.
From strong original material like 'Debt is a chain around my neck' and 'Father O'Reilly' with its country inflections, to soft dreamy and atmospheric flute melodies accompanied with ethereal harmonies, the music was sweet indeed.
On the other hand, there were rocking segments that moved, like 'It's only your head' or an up-tempo version of the old traditional 'Rocky Road to Dublin', and some serious vocals on 'I want to see like a child'.
It's no wonder the band has recently been signed by Fellside to record their first album, and just before the break they provided a sample with the lively 'Now you're talking' as a general plea for communication in this alienated world.
Or how about a 5th century poem set to music, with 'I am the tune on every harp', which entranced the entire room, while 'Tim Finnegan's Wake' was a good introduction to a super-lively fiddle segment. A good rockin' song 'Too tired to wake myself up' was followed by a country two-step number 'On Stray Tracks' which segued into a brilliant set of jigs.
'So Alone' was another number with a great rocking motif and 'Good Morning Jo-Anne' elicited a wave of aroused applause. For an encore, Tryckster played a sweet Balkan sort of number which rounded off the hot evening, and went that further step to show how important the fusion concept is in today's live music scene.
