| An Evening with Tom McConville |  Tom McConville arrives on stage at Bromley Cross Folk Club clutching a carrier bag containing his belongings. He looks like someone’s genial granddad who has been sent out to do the shopping.
After a brief introduction, where he explains that the opening song was taught to him by his Auntie Mary who died gloriously drunk on the underground (the same fate met Uncle Harry in Jarrow, it later transpires) he’s away, and it’s clear from the opening bar, why the Newcastle Fiddler has attracted praise from the likes of Dave Swarbrick and Seth Lakeman.
Someone more versed in the violin than this writer could no doubt wax lyrical on technique, but there’s an easier way to judge a musician’s abilities. The great ones have good tone, the others don’t. Tom McConville has it by the sack full.
He draws from a variety of influences. The Celtic one is clear, although there is none of the ethereal edginess of that genre. There’s country in there too, but minus the swoops and hollers.
The voice is warm, soothing even. On the gently numbers like the poignant Last Time on the Road he’s reminiscent of the late John Denver. The gentle humour is welcome too. Here’s a man who seems comfortable with himself and his audience.
So, no complaints then? Well maybe. It’s a bit middle of the road. Resonator maestro Bob Brozman once commented that if ‘you’re not living on the edge, then you’re taking up too much space.’ McConville gives the impression of playing well within himself.
Of course the counter argument is that he’s refined, restrained and finesse full and that’s valid, but just once or twice, you wish he’d cut loose. Clearly he’s very capable.
There can be no criticism of Geordie anthem Why Aye Man with which he opens the second half. It’s tense, tight and the sound is impressively full, with only two people on the stage. His partner on this occasion is guitarist David Newey, who provides more than competent back up and looks equally comfortable strumming a rhythm line or finger picking.
McConville finishes with When I’m Gone, from his latest album Tommy on Song . Judging by the audience reaction, he’ll be back before too long.
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