It was to be an unusual Round Up at Long Road , normally a citadel for troubadours to lay on an appreciative audience their latest completed work or a stripped back version of one of their bigger hits. Tonight as Lewis of Two Ways Home would remark – it was more of a “Rowdy Up!” with a crowd who were ready to start their weekend party early.
Stools were dispensed with and it was to be a Stand Up Round Up with two duo's, two solo performers and a whole lot of cross pollenation between the acts. It was Dolly Mavies who would kick things off, after having a little warm up singing along to "16 Tons" which had been playing out over the PA. She would open with "Forgive and Forget", providing her own percussion by gently tapping her guitar. By her own admission a little huskier than normal, it came with a powerful chorus, much needed on a night like this. Gasoline & Matches opened their account with "Glory Hunters" their twin guitar approach also perfectly setting the scene, inducing Isy to join in on shaker! Playing against what had proceeded was Joe Martin who wheeled out another instant classic in a considered new song "Brown Paper Bag", it's always a good sign when the crowd are soon joining in on a brand new effort and the throng around #TEAMw21 certainly took it to their heart.
Two Ways Home as hosts would close out Round 1 with "Broken Hearts Club", with Lewis on guitar, stomp pedal and lead vocals on the opening verse, while Isy joined in on mandolin and vocals. This was where the artist interaction really kicked in with Gasoline & Matches and Joe Martin both joining in on vocals with Steve being asked to provide an impromptu solo half way through.
Dolly would open the second round with "Get Out" which came with something of a shouty chorus and was well supported with the crowd singing along. For Gasoline & Matches "Never Have I Ever" is always a great crowd pleaser and this crowd needed little motivating to scream "Let's Get Wasted" at the top of their lungs. Joe Martin would again show what he has been doing with his spare time unveiling another gem ,calming us down with "The Man You Need". a full throated vocal, hitting the heights on this tale of rich with emotion even on first listen.
Two Ways Home would visit their most recent single "Medicine Man" starting gently before introducing additional stomp and shakers giving a deep south edge to the evening.
Sadly the third round would prove to be the final round and each artist would close out in style. Dolly would have to compete with her enthusiastic fans to introduce "By Your Side", initially a quiet introductory verse that led to a chorus with loud extended notes and an "Oohing" chorus that all but begged the crowd to singalong. It was hard to truly get the measure of Dolly in such a rawkus atmosphere but there was certainly enough on this showing and our pre festival investigations to warrant further investigation.
Gasoline and Matches would finish their contributions with a new song "Raise Your Glass" homing in on the fact that life is short and that you should savour every minute. Sally Rea would produce a forthright vocal to match their strident guitar playing. The lines came fast and furious and one would hope that this will form part of their much anticipated next campaign, as with Steve joining in on the chorus and providing a backing chant this was an instant crowd pleaser.
Having laid two new songs on us in the previous rounds, Joe Martin would close out with the title track of his album "Empty Passenger Seat" complete with it's lung busting chorus. Twp Ways Home would add additional backing vocals with Lewis also throwing in a short guitar solo and additional stomp!
The final song of the evening would come from Two Ways Home and would see all of the assembled performers joining in at some point. This song shows Two Ways Home at their best, Issy on mandolin, Lewis on guitar, their voices individual or entwining working to perfection.
By the end everyone with an instrument was playing the same three chords, while the crowd were enjoying adding their own contributions.
It was undoubtedly a little rawkus, as the evening slots at Buddy's seem to be, but in general it was good humoured and a good time was had by all - and each artist more than acquitted themselves and hopefully encouraged others to maybe come along to similar events.
The Round Up will be taking to the road in November with a quite spectacular array of guests guaranteeing a unique experience each night - these are very much one off shows where anything could happen.
Dolly Mavies has a selection of shows and in store appearances during September
Joe Martin needs to be heading to a studio immediately!!! but in the meantime also has a string of dates forthcoming
Gasoline & Matches have their regular Songwriters Round in Birmingham and a string of dates including a rare London outing.
All the artists above are worthy of and deserve your support.
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