It’s folk but not as you know it…

At 29 Jim Moray is one of folk’s hottest young stars and while many of his songs are traditional ballads, there’s nothing dated about this singer, instrumentalist and record producer.

His gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall is one of just ten nationwide dates in his tour to promote his new album ‘In Modern History’ and with a large projection screen dominating the back of the stage it’s obvious technology plays a large part in his show – more of that later.

Taking to the stage alone, Moray opens with The Lowlands of Holland from the new album and was no doubt ready to launch into his second song when a request was shouted from among the audience. Only one problem, the man can’t remember the title of the song he wants, but after some discussion about the gist of the song lyrics, Jim Moray luckily fathoms it out and duly puts down his guitar and takes to the keyboards for Poverty Knock. Result – one happy chappy.

Moray is then joined on stage by his band – Dave Burbidge on drums, Saul Rose on melodeon and the fantastic James Delarre on violin, hurdy gurdy – and electric glockenspiel!

All this is supplemented by samples and sequences from laptops and loop pedals, so quiet acoustic folk this certainly aint! Between the four of them they certainly make some noise as they rattle through William Taylor, Cold Stone, I’ll Go List For a Sailor and Sweet England.

Then it’s time for a duet via the big screen as Moray is joined by Ghanaian rapper Bubbz for Lucy Wan, taken from the Low Culture album. The pre recorded vocals from Bubbz are played as if on a TV news channel and is typical of Moray’s use of video projections during live shows.

The screen again comes alive with the ethereal features of Hannah Peel whose vocals join Moray for the ballad Jenny Of The Moor taken from In Modern History.

The audience, which really does range in age from teenagers to those entitled to a buss pass, is loving the set which draws to a close with the fantastic, All You Pretty Girls. There is much singing from those in the crowd and the band finish with a smile on their face – that is until drummer Dave Burbidge realises the bar is shut!

While Jim Moray is not your typical folk singer, neither is he too rock and roll to stay behind and happily chat to fans and sign CD covers before continuing on his journey.

By Emma on September 24, 2010