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The Bronte Music Club is proudly sponsored by
Banbridge District Council in conjunction with
Frontier Promotions
KRIS DELMHORST
BRONTË MUSIC CLUB
RATHFRILAND, CO. DOWN
APRIL 13
Kris Delmhorst has to be one of Americana or, if you prefer, roots music’s best kept
secrets. Although a classically trained cellist, she is a relative newcomer to guitar and
fiddle, having taught herself both while temporarily located in Maine recovering from
a damaged ankle during a particularly long winter, even for New England. On this,
her first, but hopefully not her last, visit to the Brontë, this Brooklyn-raised and
Massachusetts based, singer/songwriter gave a performance which will remain for
some time in the memory of those lucky enough to have been there – until the next
time anyway. Without the bonus of a support artist to warm up the crowd, she was
subjected to the full focus of those gathered and boy did she deliver! The evening
was sprinkled with a liberal selection from her previous works as well as her latest
album, the cerebral STRANGE CONVERSATION. This could be described as a
concept album, comprising lyrics either adapted from the poetic contributions of
Browning, Masefield and Herrick among others, or inspired by the epic works of
Virgil of ancient Rome as well as, almost modern in comparison, the great 13th
century Persian lyric poet, Rumi (whose followers were known as ‘whirling
dervishes’ expressing their worship in music and dance). The evening began with an
unaccompanied number, followed by the Browning inspired toast to the celebrated
Venetian composer, Baldassarre Galuppi. Browning himself would have been proud
to have been associated with this bright little number, given the obvious thought
which had been devoted to the construction of the lyrics. So the tone for the evening
was set. Further offerings, Broken White Line, Hummingbird and the bluesy
Everything is Music, as well as the title track from the very fine album, REDBIRD, a
collaboration with husband, Jeffrey Foucault and the equally talented Peter Mulvey –
catch either on one of their solo tours and I promise you won’t be disappointed – were
warmly received by a very appreciative crowd revelling in an exhibition on stage
from a performer whose fan base deserves to be much wider. With a sound sometime
reminiscent of Gretchen Peters or Lucy Kaplansky, even a slight Norah Jones
influence, but at all times very definitely Kris Delmhorst, you can appreciate what an
exceptionally fine talent she is. Although slightly disappointed that her beautiful
interpretation of poet and diplomat, James Weldon Johnston’s Since You Went Away
didn’t feature on this set list, it provides an excuse to request it on her next visit. On
stage just a touch shy of two hours, and only a short break for a soothing glass of red
wine – well it is a very cultured club here! – Kris closed out the evening with a great
version of Richard Thompson’s, How Will I Ever Be Simple Again? followed by the
thought provoking gospel song Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down). As
Kris said in her introduction to the final song, “I’m not sure how I feel about Jesus,
but His music’s great.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. Thanks again to
Banbridge District Council for sponsoring the gig. Cathal McLaughlin