Delightful sounds from Manchester’s Finest Folk...

The Grey Lantern Presents

The Devil's newly appointed Manchester correspondent Nathalie Depledge braved the elements of a Manchester night in February to bring you a review of a special gig at the city's Castle Hotel....

Delightful sounds escaped from the Grey Lantern presents night at The Castle Hotel, Manchester, Thursday 17th February. Sounds, which no doubt, if heard by passers by would entice them inside to this, most intimate of gigs.

First on the bill was local “folk genius” T.G Elias and his assemblage, The Sinners and guests Lucy Bennett (Vocals) and Mark Greer (lap steel), sent to seduce the crowd.

Described by Scene wipe MCR as the man who “hushed the noisiest of venues”, this intriguing songster draws the crowd into his melodic narrative with the wispiest of whispers. Performing songs such as ‘Walking Like a Peacock in the Rain’ and the title track from his newest album, ‘The Man in the Iron Cage’, Elias tells stories rife with imagery and connotation. The man whose “whiskers curled with hypocrisy” then “climbed into the iron cage” – is just one fine example of his jackanory qualities.

T.G Elias

Sharing centre stage was lovely Lucy Bennett, emitting mild, endearing shyness and a magnificently sweet sound. It is clear these voices....and perhaps these eyes, have met before. They sound - and look like Johnny and June – you would be forgiven for thinking they hail from America’s deep south, rather than the rainy north of England.

One could not help but stare.

Behind them, a cohesive collective of percussion (drums, lap steel) and bass provide splendid variation in tempo. Prolonged pauses and giddy revivals take the listener inside the mood of the band. Hung on the cusp of each word is a promise of a secret Elias might like to tell. But before it can be revealed, he is kidnapped by the rhythm and gallops into the songs descent, shaking you from his spell.

Air Cav

Others on the bill include the splendid Goodnight Lenin solidifying their position as modern pioneers of old fashioned sound and headliners Air Cav, who were mesmerising. Almost haunting violin makes their sound completely unique and compelling. No wonder they are fast gaining a higher profile than Prince William's wedding planner.

Goodnight Lenin

For those unfortunate to have missed it here are a couple of tracks to enable you to recreate the gig on your iPod.

Go Try

Track 1 TMITIC: Rancid Misbehaviour by T G Elias

Track 7 TMITIC: The Man In The Iron Cage by T G Elias

Into The Storm by Goodnightlenin

Edward colby by Goodnightlenin

Exile by aircavmusic

Glossary (demo) by aircavmusic

Go Visit

T G Elias - Myspace : Facebook
Goodnight Lenin - Myspace : Facebook : Last.FM
Air Cav - Myspace : Website : Facebook : Last.FM

Go View

T G Elias
Is It The End (Zodiac Sessions)



Goodnight Lenin
Crook In The Creek