Blue Rose Code play an intimate acoustic show, encompassing both new and old songs, hosted by Montrose Folk Club .

Blue Rose Code are currently touring the new album Bright Circumstance, which has been universally acclaimed. It is a masterpiece of an album that represents a significant evolution in the Blue Rose Code canon, containing some of Ross Wilson’s best ever songs, set in beautifully crafted musical arrangements, delivered impressively by Ross and his talented live touring band, and some impressive musical guests.

Tonight sees Blue Rose Code hosted by the Montrose Folk Club in a sold out show at the The Montrose Playhouse.  The Montrose Folk Club has a lineage going back forty years and hosts a wide-ranging programme of Scottish and international artists throughout the year. You can find out more about the club here. For tonight’s two sets, Blue Rose Code comprises Ross and longtime guitarist Lyle Watt. This provides a great opportunity to hear Ross’s songs, new and old, performed in an intimate acoustic setting.

First Set 

Ross begins the first set with a gently humorous story about playing a folk club back in the past, that had a division between traditional and non-traditional followers of folk music, and not being received well by one of the factions. Ross comments that tonight we can all be as one, and this is a timely reminder of the power of music to unite and celebrate connection.

The first song aptly is Amazing Grace, which can be found on the Bright Circumstance album, in a new version with the wonderful voice of Eddi Reader accompanying Ross. There is a striking passion in Ross’s voice, as he makes every word count, supported by Lyle’s atmospheric slide guitar work. It is a powerful opening to the set. Love A Little follows, from the With Healings of the Deepest Kind album. Its lovely lilting melody comes to the fore in this acoustic rendition, with Ross closing his eyes and moving to the music.

Ebb and Flow, from The Water Of Leith record, moves things a little more up-tempo, and features a superb bluegrass style guitar solo from Lyle. Julie, one of four songs played from the debut North Ten album, has a joyful acoustic soulful drive, and has Lyle switching to mandolin. Ross encourages the audience to clap along to the song’s coda, and it’s a real moment of connection. Skin & Bones, also from North Ten, has a wonderfully melodious guitar introduction, featuring Lyle’s slide, and quite wonderfully reminded this reviewer of the guitar and double bass intro to John Martyn’s live version with Danny Thompson, of Bless The Weather, from the Ain’t No Saint box set. Ross sings the song with a tenderness that allows the words to float and ascend in the air, particularly when he sings the poignant words: “And if you sing me to shipwreck. At least I have no regrets…Well, the way that you see me. I’ve been blessed by your kind eyes.” 

Whitechapel, the opening track from North Ten, Ross introduces as a love song to London. The version tonight takes the song from its original shuffle rhythm to a gentler ballad presentation, with a mid-section that switches back to the tempo of the recorded version. Ross’s vocal movingly conveys looking back with a sense of acceptance and understanding to a different time.  It is the mark of Blue Rose Code, that a song once written continues to evolve in the live context, offering a new musical point of view, and a new perspective to the words.

Approaching the close of the first set, Ross talks about his mum who passed away this year, and how she sparked his interest in country music. Touchingly he dedicates to her his next song, a very personal reading of Garth Brooks, Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old. The first set completes with The Last Days Of May, again from North Ten, with another stand out guitar solo from Lyle, that creatively weaves together melody and rhythm.

Second Set

The second set is preceded by a raffle, where the much sought after prize, comprises copies of the Bright Circumstance new album, with lucky winners getting to choose either the vinyl or CD version. All proceeds going to support the work of the folk club.

The second set features many of the songs from the new album, alongside some classic songs from the Blue Rose Code songbook. Beginning with Peace In Your Heart from the new album, Ross explains that he wrote it following lockdown walking around Ireland, and that it speaks to the live experience he missed so much, and for moments like tonight. On this performance of the song, Ross’s voice goes from gentle to soaring, communicating the journey from isolation into the light.  

You’re Here and Then You’re Gone, from With Healings Of The Deepest Kind, is a heartfelt wish to not wait and embrace life, and the sympathetic combination of Ross’s rhythm guitar and Lyle’s shimmering guitar accents, frames the song quite beautifully.  The appreciative audience applause has Ross thanking everyone for being “…a nice bunch”. 

Back to Bright Circumstance, and the lead single Jericho. It is song that can’t fail to lift anyone that hears it, and the energy with which Ross and Lyle play it and the smiles between them, propels forward this celebratory live acoustic version. Ross confesses to the audience that he has messed things up a little, which somehow makes this dynamic playing of the song even more endearing. Never Know Why, the second single from the new album, played without the full band, takes the song in an intriguing Pentangle like direction, with Lyle delivering a breathtaking solo, with flurries of notes shooting out across the audience. Ross quite rightly asks the audience to give it up for the guitarist from Thurso. 

Sadie, Ross introduces with a plea to talk openly about drugs harm in Scotland, and linkages to poverty and trauma. It is an affecting rendition of the song that combines storytelling, empathy and insight. Thirteen Years, seems to follow very naturally, and Ross reflectively to much applause from the audience, says “…people say don’t pontificate …but if people don’t stand up nothing changes.”

Easy As We Go takes the Montrose audience to “sunny uplands”, as Lyle’s mandolin and Ross’s vocal delivery lend the song an intoxicating folk soul danceability, with both musicians locking into the groove. Ross has a feel for choosing great songs to cover, and his interpretation of Norah Jones’s Come Away With Me is just exquisite.

Edina is about Ross’s hometown of Edinburgh, and I don’t think any Blue Rose Code audience would let him leave the stage without playing it. Ross says quite simply that it is not a sad song anymore. Having heard Ross play it many times, and in many different ways, for me it was one of the finest live versions of it that I have experienced. Now The Big Man Has Gone On from the new album was written by Ross for a dear friend of his, who died suddenly when the new album was being finished. Ross accompanied only by Lyle’s mandolin smiles as he sings and recalls his friend.  The encore (though cheekily Ross and Lyle don’t leave the stage), is of course Grateful, and sums up the palpable two-way connection between artist and audience this evening, as the song is given a rhythm and blues delivery. The audience show their sustained appreciation for a fantastic show.

A special mention to the sound engineer Gary, the sound for the concert was excellent. 

A final reflection on Blue Rose Code live

The shared experience of live music is something that both audience and artists missed during the pandemic, and starting to attend live music events again was an understandable anxiety for many. Music though, particularly in the live setting, has the ability to heal and bring us together. It also can shine a light on social injustice and provide solidarity.  Music unites us and we need that more than ever.

Blue Rose Code live embody healing and solidarity and wherever they play they have a special connection with their audience. Live they also bring a deep appreciation of the way music can cross over, blending soul, jazz, folk and other influences, such that songs and performances never stand still. We are very lucky to have Ross and Blue Rose Code.

If you want to experience the excitement of the Blue Rose Code full band sound, the sold out concert album launch at St Lukes in Glasgow on the 7^th June will be available to stream on the 15^th June, more details are available here

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