Willy Mason / The Mariners Children / Siobhan Wilson

The sweet vocals of Siobhan Wilson are fading out as we enter The Wardrobe, which is sad but at least we are here in time for The Mariner's Children. What a truly talented bunch.



Featuring members from Laura Marling's band, Eyes and No Eyes, Peggy Sue and Alessi's Ark, the layering of strings, funky bass lines and topped off with accordion plus soft vocals really is transfixing. The harmonising poetic vocals from the male and female singers are just perfect, and the thumping drum beat reminds us that this at times is no ordinary folk. Song's like 'Wolves' Within The Wood' and 'In My Bed' are simply stunning.

It's Willy Mason everyone is here to see however, and the small venue is soon full to bursting. The stage being on the lower level makes it hard for you to see on the back of the top level, the pretty hanging lights look lovely but obstruct your view. Plus the constant smoke machine is making the air as thick as it is on bonfire night.



Willy has a revolving door of band members tonight. The awesome Nina Violet is here to lend her vocal and viola talents, plus play a bit of slide guitar. Members of The Mariner's Children pop back to provide backing vocals too. Willy also holds his own for many songs, and also brings some comedy between songs. He comments that the amount of dry ice makes it like being in a Cheech and Chong movie! Yeaaah dude....

The songs that everyone are familiar with take on a slightly different sound on every tour now, sounding more layered up with more musicians, and the drum beat can change a little to take a tune in another direction musically.

There are many tracks from latest album 'Carry On', like 'Show Me The Way To Go Home' and 'Shadows In The Dark'. There is a cover of Willy's parents 'Waiter At The Station', stripped bare and with great female backing vocals. The set list goes from the softer songs like 'Riptide' via the sing-along tracks like 'Save Myself' to the foot-stomping finale of 'I Got Gold'. We even get an encore treat of 'If It's The End', as Willy thanks Leeds for being as welcoming as ever.

Gotta Keep Movin'
Where the Humans Eat
Restless Fugitive
Pickup Truck
Shadows In The Dark
Show Me The Way To Go Home
Waiter At The Station
Live It Up
Carry On
We Can Be Strong
Fear No Pain
Riptide
Talk Me Down
Save Myself
Gotta Keep Walking
I Got Gold

If It's The End

FUTURE GIGS