Beautiful voice! Girl can pick!

Canadian singer-songwriter and notable banjo player Kaia Kater completed her short UK tour in Bristol with an exquisite performance at The Folk House, an intimate venue with its small but enthusiastically appreciative audience seated at tables enjoying drinks while listening to her set of roots music songs. Kater Kater played for 90 minutes, punctuated by a 15 minutes interval, beginning with some outstanding numbers from her breakthrough album ‘Nine Pins’ and her last release ‘Grenades’. After the interval she introduced us to some new songs that will appear on her next album, scheduled for release in May this year. On first hearing, they confirmed that she continues to develop as a songwriter and artist. There were also a couple of covers, including a lovely version of Gillian Welch’s ‘Everything is free’. Kaia Kater sang her songs to a stripped back musical arrangement with just her banjo, or occasionally acoustic guitar. As ever, she was supported by Andrew Donovan Ryan on double bass and vocal harmonies. She appeared relaxed and to be enjoying the experience as she chatted to the audience between numbers. There was an amusing conversation about clothes horses that raised a few laughs. Her voice has become stronger over the years and she sings with greater intensity and confidence, demonstrated beautifully in her closing number, a cover of the classic ‘Trouble in mind’, delivered with just a plucked double bass for accompaniment. It left her audience enthralled.

A wonderful evening in the company of this very talented artist, mixing songs from her early albums, which show a traditional Appalachian influence, with those from her brilliant ‘Grenades’, which explores themes and rhythms from her father’s native Grenada. The sound was perfectly balanced, the small but enthusiastic audience was enchanted throughout her set. I doubt I will enjoy a gig more this year.