It’s almost exactly six years since I was last here at the twelve bar. When I enter I see little has changed in that time. The place is intimate, only room for about 80 people, and has a wonderful vibe to it. I have a little time to wait before I enter the auditorium which is tiny and very unusual looking.

Brown Dog Jonez. They are made up of a young man singing and playing guitar and an older man on keyboards. They kick in with their first song which is catchy with quite a bluesy sound.  This is followed by one with nice lyrics. I like the way the keyboard sound works with the guitar sound. There is a lot of talking between songs but songs kind of lend themselves to it. The theme of the third song is coming out of rationing and the beginning of Rock and Roll. Then comes a number about The Berlin Wall. The one after that is another very bluesy sounding number that makes you feel like you’re in a tiny New York bar at 1am. For the final song the band are joined on the small stage by a drummer giving it more punch. The song reminds me a little of theme tune from the Odd Couple. Enjoyable set.

Patrick Walden (with Ruth Goller) Walden comes on stage accompanied by Ruth Goller on the double bass. The first song they play is nice and really shows off Walden’s tremendous guitar skills as does the next one with a really nice off kilter sound. Rather Babyshambles like really. The set proceeds with some great songs one of which is Doors like with a really psychedelic sound. Towards the end they play a really nicely melodic instrumental number which should end the set but the crowed insist on one more. The set ends with a nice political song with a bit of a folksy sound.

Roses Kings Castles. When Adam Ficek appears on stage and begins to play he interrupts the first song ‘Broken Homes’ to announce that he has a sore throat, However I have to say the song , to me at least, still sounds good. In fact his voice has taken on something of a more gravely sound.
Next comes one I am not so familiar with but it sounds great. For the third song ‘Houses’ he is joined on stage by a Double bass player and a drummer who bears more than a passing resemblance to Truman Capote. That is a very nicely constructed song with kind of a sniffle sound. Fan favourite ‘Entroubled’ is just wonderful and gets a very good reaction from the crowed. Next comes another favourite, ‘Sparkling Boots’, which sounds sharp and tight, a great song played well live. Ficek has a very good voice a little reminiscent of The Housemartins. ‘Burn Your Town Down’ comes next and is again faultless. After this comes ‘Never Certain’ which sounds well rehearsed and professionally polished.  The set ends with a great number that is mellow and oh so tuneful. Near perfection.

Conclusion:
I could not help but congratulate Adam before leaving this very entertaining gig. I exit into the gloomy London night with a real warm feeling and a desire to see at least the headliners again.