On the way to tonight’s Baston gig I was listening to a programme devoted to The Pet Shop Boys, described as the country’s premier duo. Having seen Tom McConville and Michael Biggins tonight, I would challenge that assertion. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe may be world-famous multi-millionaires but our two guests tonight run them pretty close in the talent (if not financial) department.
Tom is a long-established performer on the folk circuit. In fact he informs us that he has been performing since he was four years old, standing on a table in his father’s pub, singing for the locals. No standing on tables tonight but he certainly entertained the locals. Tom is a consummate professional – he very quickly engages the audience with his quiet, north-eastern wit and charm – but don’t be fooled, it takes years of standing on stage to appear so composed and in command without ever seeming over-bearing. He makes great use of the microphone with his witty asides and throwaway comments, mainly about those characters (mainly Irish) who he has met on his travels. He’s been to Baston before, in March 2009 – was it really that long ago?
Tonight Michael is the silent partner – he barely says a word all evening but lets his fingers (and Tom) do the talking for him. There is no need for him to banter unnecessarily and, in truth this is a blessed relief. Too many performers today natter for the sake of it and aren’t always funny!
Midway through the second set Tom announces that Michael is going to give us a solo spot. What followed was a riveting five minutes of sublime keyboard playing. If Baston Folk Club ever releases a 20-Years Greatest Hits album, this would surely be on it. Michael’s fingers fly and float across the keyboard. His virtuosity is clearly evident, surely classically trained. His short spot was spellbinding.
There are many highlights tonight. In truth every audience member will underline different songs and tunes. Mine were Tom Waits’s Shiver Me Timbers, Jeannie’s Waltz and Clementine closely followed by Old Turf Fire and Foxy, not forgetting When the Boat Comes In. The encore, The Knife Grinder, was a gentle reminder to us all that Tom is not just a top-class folk fiddler but also an excellent proponent of Stéphane Grappelli-esque gypsy jazz.
So what did I take from tonight? I concluded that Tom’s voice is sensitive, emotional, wide-ranging and still one of the strongest on the circuit today. I concluded that his fiddle playing is clear, confident and, on occasion lark-ascendingly beautiful. I concluded that Michael’s fingers are truly blessed and that his keyboard playing is very special indeed. Finally I concluded that Baston is lucky to have Graham on sound – the balance tonight was superb and really enhanced the whole experience.
Review and Photos By Toby Wood
Baston Traditional Music 
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