Applewood Road: Sage, Gateshead

FEMALE trio Applewood Road produced an entertaining evening’s work on the North Rock Foundation stage. Each member performing solo, before the girls returned as the sibling-sounding trio.

Not short of banter, the girl’s fashioned some striking harmonies as material from their self-titled album, supplemented by a beautiful version of REM’s Losing My Religion. Then they took a deep breath in preparation for a stunning a cappella rendition of My Dear Companion. Recorded for BBC4’s recent documentary Sisters In Country (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) it ticked all the boxes and one or two more.

Loving Eyes had Rubarth singing a compelling lead, although I couldn't help noticing, with great admiration, the tireless efforts of Baker. She plays everything well, and with taste, plus she slots in seamlessly when asked to fill-in the spaces as another member sings lead.

Among the highlights from the girl’s respective handful of songs performed solo were Baker’s Blackbird, and Rubarth with material from her new album, Wildflower In The Graveyard, plus Speace with one of her older songs, Fortunate Ones.

On her day and given the song Speace is capable of raising the bar. Likewise goes for Rubarth, only she tends to sneak up stealthily with her folk country tunes. Meanwhile Barker can always be counted on to play the correct amount and likewise do the same playing (banjo, guitar and percussion) and the girl from Bridgetown, Australia also writes a fine song. A genuine musician’s musician!

Maurice Hope