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Reviews
Albert Lee needs no introduction to country music & rock fans. His impeccable pedigree stretches over many years both touring and recording with, among many others, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, Glen Campbell, Chris Farlowe, Dave Edmunds, Dolly Parton, Bobby Bare, Joan Armatrading, The Crickets, Ricky Skaggs, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt and Rodney Crowell. He was also part of the all-star cast in the George Harrison Memorial concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Herefordshire born, but resident in California since the early 70’s, Albert has been voted Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Best Country Guitar Picker in the World’ on five consecutive occasions and has twice previously been Grammy Nominated. In 1995 He received a coveted Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, for his long-term service to the music industry. He has earned the world-wide respect of artists, musicians and fans bridging many styles and tastes. The title of musical legend has never been more deserved – he is simply one of the all-time greats. Hogan’s
Heroes comprise some of Britain’s finest musicians. With a pedigree almost as impressive as their leader the band features
Gerry Hogan on pedal steel guitar, Pete ('Eighteen With A Bullet') Wingfield on keyboards, Brian Hodgson on
bass and Peter Baron on drums.
Website: www.cambriaarts.org.uk
This was a tremendous gig and the review is to follow...meanwhile this is the original press release from
Cambria Arts..... "This guy is GOOOOD...he is writing some great stuff!" says the great Taj Mahal about Cambria Arts latest
visitor to the Talbot Hotel, Tregaron on Friday 26th March. No wonder, as Kreg Viesselman's wanderlust has taken him from
the small southern Minnesota town in which he was born and placed him beside some of the most bizarre and intriguing characters
in every corner of America. From trapper to sailor to mountain guide to farm hand, Kreg has developed insights into the lives
of everyday people. This acumen is so evident in his poetry that his songs become as clear to the listener as if they were
in fact THEIR memories, as well. Heartwrenching, warm, poignant...yet laced with acrid wit... the road-worn voice of Kreg Viesselman, accompanied
by his country blues-steeped guitar, echo the long-gone tradition of the rambling singer/songwriter. As he cris-crosses the
country, Viesselman's "dirt under the finger nails" style of folk music is winning the hearts of fans in every town in which
he stops. At the same time, Kreg is earning the attention and respect of some of the most respected performers today. In the
words of Ellis Paul: "I love Kreg's roots...I always say that honesty is the best way to approach songwriting, and Kreg does
it. And if you can't hear it, you're not listening!" Cambria Arts gave Kreg his very first UK gig back in October, supporting Eric Taylor, and this exceptional
young Colorado-based folk-blues troubadour touched many hearts with his gritty, road-worn voice, poetic songs, and disarming
audience rapport. Kreg will be supported by Wales' very own Liz Ryder. This distinctive and precociously gifted new figure on
the UK folk scene impressed the Talbot crowd mightily when she shared the bill with Oh Susanna in March 2002, and
her return will be be welcomed. California-born in 1981 of an American/Greek mother and an English/Welsh father, Liz moved as a small child
with her family to England. Her musical career has progressed from an early composition competition win, via involvement with
theatre, to growing recognition as 'a rising star of the folk scene' (Acoustic Routes 2003), with numerous acclaimed festival
appearances and two impressively ambitious CDs (2001's 'Sacramento Orange' and 2003's 'On the Neon Highway') already to her
name. To listen to a short clip of Kreg Performing please click below:-
REVIEW Amy Wadge - Live At The Talbot, Tregaron Friday, January 16th 2004 Picture by Mark Pickthall It was Cambria Arts' first 'Live at the Talbot' gig of 2004, and a near-full house enjoyed an evening of music that oozed quality in abundance. First-up late addition, Builth Wells-based opener Jack Harris, stilled the just-arrived punters, demonstrating why he's impressed visiting American folk songwriters - Eliza Gilkyson and Eric Taylor among them - so profoundly. With songs as good as 'Breakfast' and the astonishingly literary 'Tailor of Aquitaine', his dream-come-true invitation to appear at the fabled South-By-Southwest Songwriter Festival in Austin, Texas in March could well result in a a thumbs-up and some handy career guidance from a few more of the legendary US songwriters that he so obviously reveres. The Talbot crowd recognize promise when they see it, and they gave young Jack a warm reception Another thing that's conducive to a harmonious vibe, is when an artist lives up to the media hype - Amy Wadge did just that, and then some. A five-foot-nothing blonde bundle of energy with a completely guileless friendly-girl-next-door persona and a God-given voice that ranges from an intimate whisper to a full-on gritty gospel shout, Amy's an irresistible and riveting performer; add on effortless 6- and 12-string guitar playing - driving rhythm technique with delicate picking to hand when required - and confident, unfussy piano work, and you know you're in the presence of a class act. Her songs are often melodically unsurprising, but they're tailored for immediate appeal, with intelligent lyrics linked to hooks that register in the subconscious ... we got privileged first airings of a couple of tracks, 'No Sudden Moves' and 'Grace', from the new CD, 'WOJ' (released 26 Jan.), while 'This Is You, This Is Me' was brand-new. On 'Just In Time', 'Valley Boy', and 'It's Alright' Amy rocks out convincingly, underpinned by what must be the dream rhythm section: ex-Catatonia drummer Aled Richards and bass wizard Dave Bronze (whose 'other' gig is in Eric Clapton's touring band!) play it straight, solid, but with a subtle second-nature feel for Amy's innately melodic drive. The trio's ensemble work reminds you, as have the likes of Steve Forbert in the past, that a minimal line-up can rock like nobody's business. Despite operating in a pretty crowded field of gifted female singer/songwriters, Amy truly stands out. She has 'star' written all over her, and a career trajectory pointing at the heavens, which made the experience of seeing her in the intimate surroundings of the Talbot even more special. Andrew Hawkey
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