Isobel Anderson would like a gentleman to ‘load up her scone with some cream’. Oh, behave you filthy lot! It’s the last song of the evening and along with Ruby Colley she has taken us on a journey from old time trad to modern folk ballad. This song’s about having cream tea with a friend. That’s what she says and although betrayed by flushed cheeks and schoolgirl giggles, who are we to disbelieve her?
It’s a warm, muggy night in Belfast. The Green Room of the Black Box is filled to the brim and from the bigger room next door we can hear the faint sounds of Lunasa doing their thing as one of a double bill of sold out Open House Festival shows. It’s all eyes and ears directed at the small stage front and centre in here though where two artists ooze pure talent and charisma like the rest of us ooze other less savoury perspirations in the sticky heat by the bar.
Anderson and Colley both hail from Sussex but have a long history with Belfast and tonight feels like a homecoming of sorts. There’s more than a hint of the Northern Irish trad history especially in tracks like “Botanical Romance”. It’s heavy laden with references of localities from across the city with a melody weaving like a fresher cleaner River Lagan in the midst; a stunning work in the vein of Van Morrison’s “Cyprus Avenue”. The similarities end there for while Van’s made a career from his surly on-stage and off-stage sneering, these two are all charm, beaming smiles and pseudo-comic interludes.
We’re given a potted history of traditional folk music with tracks like “Hares on the Hill” and “Down In Adairsville” before a little confusion takes over. “Bonnie Boy” is a beautiful song. Isobel isn’t sure if it’s by Sandy Denny or Shirley Collins but tonight’s crowd know their folk and we all eventually stand present, corrected and educated.
It’s a thoroughly pleasant evening in this company. A respectful crowd, great venue and two immensely talented artists. Make sure you catch them when you next can.
Isobel and Ruby are currently promoting their Sussex Sessions EP recorded in an afternoon over tea and biscuits. Beautiful!