Black Twig Pickers

Despite arriving today, the Virginian trio showed no signs of jet-lag as they played a fiery non-stop 90 minute set. The feline-themed openers ‘Polecat Blues’ and ‘Yellow Cat’ saw Mike’s guitar playing the bass line, Nathan on rhythm banjo and fiddler Isaac taking lead vocals and yelps. The fast pace continued until they slowed down with a vintage two-step by Charlie Poole. A number of songs were learned from old recordings but their own laidback ‘Waitin’ On My Rider’, with bottleneck banjo was as authentic as the old-time Appalachian songs that inspire them. A real treat, superbly delivered.

Prince Albert, 19 April 2012

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