Gig review: Drever, McCusker and Woomble

Published on Tuesday 22 September 2009 18:58

DREVER, McCUSKER & WOOMBLE *** BRUNTON THEATRE, MUSSELBURGH

THIS wasn't so much another show by Scots folk supergroup Kris Drever, John McCusker and Roddy Woomble as it was the emergence of… what? A hypergroup? The trio were joined onstage throughout by their support duo of Boo Hewerdine on guitar and Kildare-born, Edinburgh-based Heidi Talbot on backing vocals, the latter also taking the lead on Appalachian standard The Blackest Crow. The show was, if nothing else, the kind which would have been unmissable for aficionados of contemporary Scottish folk.

It was played in an odd atmosphere, however, which maintained the modest respectfulness of a sit-down theatre show while sacrificing intimacy which a less formal setting might have offered. Camaraderie between band and crowd was best established when McCusker performed a short set of lively fiddle reels, including one written for his sister's wedding because it was a cheap present, and another in honour of Billy Connolly, playing elsewhere in town on the night. Otherwise, there seemed to remain a distance between those playing and those listening.

Still, the dynamics of the venue shouldn't reflect on the performances. Taking songs from the lead trio's album Before the Ruin, Drever's own Black Water and Idlewild singer Woomble's solo record My Secret is My Silence, the seated band produced some gorgeous music. Most pleasing was Woomble's voice, soft and clear as a bell when detached from the crash of electric guitars, and Drever's rustic readings of two songs by Edinburgh singer Sandy Wright. "If anyone wants to clap their hands, stamp their feet or shout heeugh?" asked McCusker expectantly at one point – if only they had.