On an unusually quiet night downstairs in the Royal Oak, my fair lady and I were pleasantly surprised by the power folk of David Lutes and backing from wife Carolyn.

Originally from Austin, Texas, they’d just flown in from the US the day before, (Carolyn a few months pregnant might I add) but their jetlag certainly didn’t affect their performance.

In amongst a set of David’s own songs were a few very well done covers including, “The Weight” by The Band and Lyle Lovat’s “If I had a boat.” But it was his original material that was most impressive. His song “Rise up Elijah”, a poignant story of a slave trying to escape southern USA by catching a very dangerous ticket on the underground Railroad, was provocative and performed beautifully. It showed me that Lute’s songs were not only foot tapping, but written sensitively and full of history.

Other’s such as “Lady Persuasion” kept me smiling throughout the whole two hours and I was disappointed there wasn’t more of an audience there, to witness such a great and passionate talent.