YORKSTON/THORNE/KHAN | LIVE REVIEW

The Big Top, Cardiff, Thurs 6 Apr

Introducing their new album, Neuk Wight Delhi All-Stars, this UK headline tour combines Scottish singer-songwriter James Yorkston, award-winning sarangi player from New Delhi, Suhail Yusuf Khan, and the Isle Of Wight’s John Thorne, a respected jazz double bassist. The venue offered a superb atmosphere for this folk-fusion delight: with large carousel-style seating and ceilings draped in bright fuchsia and turquoise, it was an enchanting, intimate setting.

It’s hard to believe how Yorkston/Thorne/Khan first joined forces as a musical trio, and so the set starts where it all began: with a jam session. There is deep admiration between each musician – when one of them takes the lead the other two stare in wonderment, and listen intently to one another. Yorkston’s voice was comforting and there was a real sense of longing to each sound that filled the room. Bass player Thorne – “the ace of bass” as Yorkston referred to him – was in a trancelike state throughout, tactfully plucking away at his strings in absorption.

Perched on a platform, legs crossed with sarangi in hand, Khan’s voice was haunting in Jaldhar Kedara (Wedding Song). His passion and the range of which he could sing and play was outstanding; at such close proximity he left me stunned. False True Piya (‘piya’ meaning ‘beloved’ in Hindi), from their their second album, starts with Yorkston singing a fragment of Annie Watson’s version of The House Carpenter. The song is beautiful as it slowly builds, ending with Khan playing the sarangi intensely and at rapid pace.

These are men with many musical talents. As they play Samant Saarang / Just A Bloke, Yorkston switches his guitar to a Swedish nyckelharpa and Thorne leaves his bass to take the mic. Yorkston/Thorne/Khan’s sound is starkly original, and this was a memorable, clever performance. Although they’ve now finished their UK tour, the trio will be at Green Man and Latitude this summer.

words CADI DAFYDD JONES