As we may have mentioned every single day this week, the CMU team is at the Edinburgh Festival at the moment, covering pretty much every show that is happening up here at the moment (that's a lot). You can read all of our reviews at http://www.threeweeks.co.uk. Not only that, but from later on today we will be kicking off the ThreeWeeks podcasts, which is very hi-tech and you really should check it out. Oh yes, and did we mention there's a ThreeWeeks radio show on Festival FM (http://www.festivalfm.net) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm - 9pm? Anyway, here's some of our music reviews.
Sandy Brechin, Ewan Wilkinson & Ronan Martin
Stoneyport Agency
There's much to love about Sandy: his sly, knowing chat; the wee march as he harmonises and, of course, his accordion. He is joined on stage by fresh-faced folkies Euan and Ronan (fae Peebles and Skye, on guitar and fiddle), both of whom stake a claim to be the star of the show. The highlight of the set is Ewan's 'Far From the Sea', ten minutes in, but the quality stays high all the way through. As well as originals, they play exquisitely through centuries-old songs, Richard Thompson songs and songs that still have working titles, all of which are liable to be hummed on the way home from the friendly Acoustic Music Centre. [tt]
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 9 Aug, 8.30 pm (10.00 pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 111. tw rating 4/5
Luminescent Orchestrii
Luminescent Orchestrii perform an infectious blend of ska, punk, Romanian gypsy and Balkan folk, which is going to light up your life! Discover this totally original group and let them turn you on to a unique blend of sound you never knew existed. The show is a relentless toe tapping furious frenzy of fun, in fact I absolutely defy anyone to sit still. Within minutes the twanging bass sound of the guitar on and the drunken fiddles will have worked their way in and then resistance is useless; your toes will tap and your hands will clap! These guys play with such natural flair and a real sense of fun in what they do. Drink and be merry to their sophisticated, crazy sound. [ljh]
The Spiegel Garden, 8 - 16 Aug (not 12, 13), 6.00pm (7.10pm), £8.00, fpp 105. tw rating 5/5
Jonathan Prag Classical Guitar
Jonathan Prag
Unburden yourself of your worries and enjoy an hour of total escapism. Hidden away in this cosy venue, a quiet retreat from the hubbub outside. Jonathan Prag takes you on a world tour with his diverse repertoire of classical and modern pieces for guitar. Bach and Breil, Scottish and Russian folk, a hornpipe and a devilish tango do not faze this quietly confident and completely unpretentious performer. Jonathan's skillfully adept and laid back style puts the audience completely at ease. The history, both personal and factual, behind each piece adds depth to the music. His dreamy melodies bring about a sense of calm that settles upon everyone present. Easy on the ear, totally chilled out and very highly recommended. [ljh]
Café Royal, 5-29 Aug (not 17), 1.20pm (2.20pm) £6.00 (£4.50), fpp 103. tw rating 4/5