Live music listings: May 2006

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Wed 31st

Sacred Harp Library presents
HELLICAR, CRAGO, LEWIS LLOYD AND FRIENDS
+ Treecreeper
+ James Blackshaw

Doors 8.00
£5

Hellicar, Crago, Lewis Lloyd and Friends return to The Luminaire. The London-based seven piece have been gathering fans galore since their shambolic beginnings a year and a half ago. Having shared stages with the likes of Uncle John & Whitelock, Marissa Nadler, Jack Rose, Tunng, Circulus, Steve Turner (Mudhoney) and more the group have finally released their debut 7" 'Chicken or Pills' (on Sacred Harp Library), a highlight of their live set. The band perfom an extraordinary blend of folk-rock, psychedelia and stomping rock 'n' roll anchored with top quality songwriting and unforgetable tunes.
Guitarist James Blackshaw has released a couple of albums (on Important and Digitalis) that show a maturity and talent way beyond his young years. Comparable to the likes of Jack Rose and Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance) Blackshaw creates jaw-dropping acoustic sounds that blend folk, raga and psychedelic forms.
As the Wire Magazine were moved to write: "London based 12-string guitarist James Blackshaw's playing style can be firmly linked to the Takoma school of John Fahey and Robbie Basho, as well as to more contemporary players such as Jack Rose and Steffan Basho-Junghans. But, like them, Blackshaw has successfully found his own voice, as becomes instantly obvious when listening to the four tracks that make up 'O True Believers'. Titles such as 'The Elk With Jade Eyes' and 'Spiralling Skeleton Memorial' cause images of a spiritual naturalism to fuse in the brain, while Blackshaw's guitar weaves patterns that are sometimes overlaid with luscious layers of tambura drone, cymbala, harmonium and percussion. This often dreamlike combination ensures the music gathered here deftly avoids pale imitation and leaden devotion."