Dave Paskell juggles the work life balance and gets to the Boardwalk just in time to find the best spot to watch Martha Tiltson and the Woods, there’s a fair size crowd of mixed ages. Nearly everyone is seated for tonight’s performance, around tables in an intimate atmosphere, close to the stage where four chairs await tonight’s headline act.
Photo credit Paul Handley.
With only a short wait, Martha is on stage, just two of the four seats are taken up. The first thing that hits me is that voice. Its strong, pure and unlike any other.
Following the opener is ‘Winter Flowers’, just as good as the first one, the music compliments the vocals perfectly. Next up, ‘Falcon’, a laid back and yet a powerful song the lyrics are clever, a passionate performance of the track from the debut Martha Tiltson and the Woods album, Ropeway.
Space, how I love this song and as with most of the songs, Martha uses the intro to offer an explanation to each one. Music of the moon, a bottle of wine and a starry night on the beach apparently inspired this wonderful song; “and if I was a braver me, I’d go travelling, dream about it every night it’s unravelling”. With fine guitar, bass and violin playing as more of the stage seats are taken up, Space sounds great live.
All the songs are being well received. Office work urgh! and coffee out of machines yuk! What’s your number twenty four? Martha tells us a tale of everyday office life and the need to dance on the tables while no one is looking. The need to escape the humdrum office existence, I know what she means.
The set builds, its so solid and well played by all on stage throughout out. “He’s an old tom cat” comes the next intro, I wonder if you can guess who this song is about? Martha gives us all the clues to someone she admires, its also one of my favourites as well….. Leonard Cohen. It’s a great song about this genius poet and songwriter with a real Spanish feel to the music, which is beautifully played as ever by the whole band, a fitting and powerful tribute to the master of mirth himself ! We are treated to an updated version of the Blacksmith only he has been transformed into a
surfer, one of a few traditional songs that get a new lease of life in this set tonight.
To sum up, it was a clever and passionate performance from Martha and her band. Leaving us with a mantra of hope with her last song, the seats on the stage are vacated, the clamour for more has started but its time for me to leave as the the thought of the day job looms. Maybe its time for me to dance on the tables and say you wont get me!
Dave Paskell watched Martha Tiltson and the Woods at Sheffield's Boardwalk on November 17th.
Martha Tiltson and the Woods album Ropeway is available as a free download from Pondlife Studios of Glastonbury. You'll need to sign in on the website to download the album and whilst they aren't asking for any money the liner notes suggest that if you feel a need t pay something then plant a tree, checkout the Malawian charity http://www.landirani.org or just do a good deed for someone.
Photo credits: Paul Handley
