Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: foggers
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 02:45 PM

We saw Blair at Musicport on Fri 4th Nov, and were impressed on a number of fronts. He has impressive technical playing skills; there were a few tiny wrinkles but at 19 he can only get better. His interpretations of traditional songs is sensitive, with good vocals too. He is very confident in his stage craft, evidence of good humour, nice line in self-deprecation and no mention or flogging of the familial connections. His own songs are mature beyond his years (no singing the contents of his diary as a tortured adolescent!). We chatted with him after (it seemed only polite after heckling him about the home town he and I have in common...) and found him to be pleasantly modest.

He has the makings of a long musical career ahead of him and we will certainly look out for further chances to see him solo or with AH.

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: BTNG
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 10:57 AM

I am very impressed by Blair Dunlop, he's inherited the full measure of talent from both Dad and Mom, and is bginning to show talent as a song writer.

The arrangement of Flandyke Shore he uses is Nic Jones's There's a video on You Tube of Hutchings and Dunlop performing the song and AH prefaces the performance with a brief explanation.

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 10:48 AM

I'm seriously impressed with Blair Dunlop. I have both his EPs but haven't yet seen him live - he was at Musicport in Bridlington on Friday but I couldn't get over to see him.

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 09:44 AM

Usual scolding and voices of disapproval!!!!

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 09:41 AM

And your point is?

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: BTNG
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 09:34 AM

One performance does not a career make, unless you're a fan of The X Factor, onwhich I do not expect to see Messer's Hutchings and Dunlop anytime soon.

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 09:16 AM

If that was indeed the case, such is life. I should think all performers have off nights - and in the case of some bleating "traddies" I have seen, it sounds like every night!!

I wouldn't call Blair a trad artist, as he writes so much of his own material. But he does include some trad-like material eg Black is the Colour, and Flandyke Shore, and some highly mature poetry based material. Remember he is only 19!

Subject: RE: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:24 AM

Without wishing to be nasty I felt that Dunlop and Hutchings were not really together at Tenterden, so I wait to be impressed although many seem to think highly of him (and given that some are ranting about his being preferred at C#Ho because he is a traddie your mentions of specific songs are interesting).

Subject: Superb Blair Dunlop gig in Brighton
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 06:18 AM

Saw Blair in The Greys, Brighton last night for a solo set followed by a duo set with Ashley Hutchings (his "backing band"!). I have never seen an audience so spellbound by a 19 year old's playing. He performed a selection of songs from his 2 EP Cds, with fingerbusting versions of Canadeeio and 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.