Preview

Amy opened our 2004 season, and took the Talbot by storm - she's back! Born near Bristol, but now Cardiff-based, Amy's tough-but-tender, soulfully smoky voice, effortless instrumental skills, and intensely emotive songs have prompted critical comparisons with Alanis Morrisette, Joni Mitchell, Cerys Matthews, and Natalie Merchant. Her CV over the last 3 years includes headlining France's Lorient Interceltique Festival, enthusiastically received appearances at Cambridge Folk Festival, Glastonbury, and the Cardiff Mardi Gras, and a hectic schedule of gigs and tours with the likes of Van Morrison, Lenny Kravitz, Bob Geldof, Eric Bibb, and Jeff Beck; she's also in constant demand for radio and TV appearances, and has been voted Best Female Solo Artist at the Welsh Music Awards 2 years running. Amy's 2004 CD, 'Woj', has received rave reviews.

Amy brings back to the Talbot her wonderful band, comprising Dave Bronze, Eric Clapton's regular road bass-player, and ex-Catatonia drummer Aled Richards.

'Pint-size poetess with Valley-quaking voice' - Q

'The voice of her generation - a star is born' - Ouest-France

At 20, the gifted singer-songwriter Elin Fflur is already firmly established on the Welsh music scene, with two solo CDs and chart-topping success on Radio Cymru.

'Natural charisma and rich voice' - Western Mail

Review

Once again, audience numbers exceeded all expectations - although the dual attractions of Amy and Elin, each now blessed with an avidly loyal following (there were Wadge fans from as far afield as Blackpool!) went a long way to explaining the packed room ... this was, then, the ideal night for the filming of a gig, as the 'pilot' for a projected 'Live at the Talbot' TV series. For the purposes of the programme, our ever-effervescent friend Harriet Earis, Pontrhydfendigaid-based harpist extraordinaire, hosted proceedings with her customary elan.

Accompanied only by her regular pianist, Elin Fflur convincingly showed that her high profile on the current Welsh music scene is thoroughly justified: as a songwriter, she taps into a melodic vein that suggests potential for universal world appeal (significantly, maverick veteran Los Angeles pop svengali Kim Fowley, no less, declares that Elin is his 'favourite female artist in the world at the moment'), while still retaining a recognizable flavour of her homeland. With a terrific vocal technique that ranges from a near-whisper to a fearlessly full-on soul attack, coupled to a catalogue of strong material like 'Tybed lle mae hi heno?', 'Ddoi'm yn ol', and the radically reworked folk standard 'Ar lan y mor', as well as charisma aplenty, Elin looks the likeliest candidate yet to achieve as a solo contemporary Welsh artist what so many fine Welsh bands have done on the international stage in recent years. We look forward, maybe, to a return visit from Elin, with her full band next time.

Amy Wadge's profile, too, has significantly risen since her memorable 2004 Tregaron debut. Fresh from a prestigious tour, including London's Albert Hall, with guitar legend Jeff Beck, and boasting a great revised band line-up (drummer Aled Richards in now joined by Matt Beable on bass and the excellent Mark Sullivan on guitars), Amy's bubbly confidence and enthusiasm, together with her happy knack of making the audience her friends, shows that she's really on top of her game. Switching between 6- and 12-string guitars (her clever combined fingerpicking/rhythm technique is really impressive) and piano, she brought us songs from last year's 'Woj' CD (the memorable opener 'Six of One', 'Scream', 'Nothing', the rollicking 'Valley Boy') interspersed with new material, some co-written with Mark Sullivan, from the follow-up album, currently being recorded in North Wales ('Pulling Me In', 'Shattered', and, a standout, the lovely 'Fairweather Friend', Amy's touching commentary on the price to be paid for postponing 'doing babies' in favour of a music career). Amy's music is characterized by a predominant comfortable mid-tempo groove linked to great hooks, and her feisty voice that's intimate and tender one moment, Sheryl Crowe-edged the next, but always her own. Tonight's show, distinguished by the noticeably fuller textures of the new 4-piece line-up, was a real winner - CD sales, always a sign, were vigorous - and, at risk of being accused of repeating ourselves, a return visit next year from this enormously likeable artist really wouldn't go amiss.