Most years I spend a weekend in Newcastle / Gateshead enjoying the Summertyne Americana Festival at The Sage. This year was no exception. It was busier than I’ve seen before, and it remains a splendid event because so much of it is free. This year I didn’t see too much free stuff as I’d booked a few gigs, and specifically I’d booked to see Ron Block (him out of Alison Krauss & Union Station) making a rare appearance, and with the added incentive of being in concert with the fabulous Sierra Hull on mandolin, mandola and vocals. I first saw Sierra at Merlefest in North Carolina in 2006 when she was 14. She was ridiculously accomplished back then. Yesterday at The Sage Hall 2 she was spectacularly good, culminating with a solo party piece where she played a lovely melodic arrangement of The Tennessee Waltz before launching into After You’ve Gone played in the style of Django Rheinhardt, which she absolutely nailed. There might be better mandolinists on the planet, but I can’t think of many
Ron seemed relaxed, in contrast with the rather stern manner he tends to portray in Union Station. His guitar and banjo playing was delightful and the whole gig was a joy. They are only doing 4 UK gigs; Kate Rusby Festival, Summertyne and 2 more later this week; one in Tamworth on 29th and one in Sheffield on 30th. If you like acoustic music, particularly bluegrass flavoured, this is a major opportunity to experience it at a very high level
They didn’t play the tune in the Youtube clip, but I dare say they might
Sierra Hull can sing a bit too.