Andrew Combs: Jumpin Hot Club, Cluny2 Newcastle

SINGER-songwriter Andrew Combs was making a welcome solo return to the area. Undaunted by the fact, Combs’ songs sounded stronger, the lyrics sharper hence the songs were easier accessed. Sounding more like a folk troubadour than a country act, strains of his 1960s and 1970s-style filtered through, as he spoke of love won and lost and even gave a green warning.

With a new album about due, Combs gave us an insight to one or two new songs to go with those from his first two albums. As before the standard of songwriting and vocal presentation was high.

Highlights included Silk Flowers and The Devil’s Got My Woman that was once requested by a guy, without, seemingly having listened carefully to the lyrics for his wife. Combs from time to time shared some wry humour including musician Joe Henry (currently on tour with Billy Bragg) refusing to take up the offer of becoming the Marlborough Man.

Combs, who is set to get married in a couple of weeks, won special favour Suwannee County, Strange Bird and a new road song titled Rose Coloured Blues.

With his artful style running parallel to this unique, unhurried country, folk and soul pop the evening flowed seamlessly. There were no flashy guitar solos, just Combs sharing a bunch of thoughts, emotions and shrewd observations of life.

Maurice Hope