Landermason

Last night The Bishop fm studio saw one of the finest duos ever to grace our airwaves,  LANDERMASON, a duo from Bellingham (Northumberland) and U.K. as they pointed out jokingly several times, a reference to the international flavour of e-mails, that poured into the studio.  Not only e-mails, but an actual phone call praising their musical ability. And what ability that was,  their name comes from their surnames, Fiona Lander and Paul mason and have been performing  as a duo for the past 8 years, both have a musical family background and both are fastidious in their approach and application of their music. It would be wrong and difficult to pigeon hole their style of playing, as it ranges from traditional to contemporary, jazz to folk,  with even a hint of classical, but all of it wonderfully delivered  with clarity and sincerity. Even a local folk story of “the Lambton worm” was given the Landermason treatment and as well as humorous it was expertly shared with the internet listeners, many of whom I’m sure will need a translation from the Geordie. Dave Brubeck’s song TAKE 5 was amazing, played on guitar and whistle, Paul contribution was his skilful guitar playing and fabulous voice. Fiona sang beautifully with a voice that was crystal clear, and only surpassed by her OBOE playing, which added an amazing dimension to their songs, her classical training showing through. Fiona’s Keyboard was impressive as was her tin whistles playing, on one song she seamlessly changed from singing to keyboard back to singing then the oboe, chicken shaker more singing and then an African percussion instrument, (which I can’t remember the name of)  and all the time smiling a beautiful wide smile, and  watching Paul to keep the timing right. The professionalism didn’t stop there; Fiona was even giving Chris who played the part of sound technician, cues as to when she was changing to the keyboard, as he could be ready to adjust the volume of the recording.

They were so slick and smooth, so much so that even Ian who does the roots programme, stayed until the end, with his mouth open in awe, and will be playing their on the roots programme. Adjectives failed me on the night, they really did let their music do the talking, and it didn’t just talk it shouted.

Gary Granger was the other guest,  a wonderful and talented slide blues guitarist, he provided a complete contrast and was fantastic in his delivery and application, he put in a long shift, as he did his first blues show broadcast ever, doing exceptionally well, for the very first time on a studio deck. It is no mean feat to come and broadcast without any training, but as he said he was born to it, and who could argue, the music was diverse, and his in depth knowledge makes it a stand alone Monday night feature, a show not to be missed.

A huge thanks to LANDERMASON for making the hour and a half trip to bring us their own wonderful and stylish music, more thanks to Gary for his blues show, and standing in for Phil graham at such short notice, and the biggest thanks of all is to you the listeners, who make the Folk show what it is.

The Repeat is on Saturday, and I’ll be missing for 2 weeks, but will be back refreshed,, with more of the same

terry