Dan Walsh – Old Cinema Launderette (Durham, UK – March 8, 2014)

I am learning to play the banjo, so a chance to see Dan Wash live couldn’t be missed. I have seen Dan before, opening for Vera van Heeringen last year,  and I enjoyed his set but wanted to see him play with top billing. I wasn’t disappointed.

Dan played 2 sets filled with incredible variety – Celtic and Scottish instrumental reels and jigs, a slow waltz, bluegrass and Americana, and even Middle Eastern and Indian tunes – that I have never seen or heard from a banjo player.

Dan’s playing was technical yet loose, interesting to hear and watch, and his enthusiasm and joy for playing came across throughout his performance.

Dan explained the origins of lots of his songs, about how he came to play the songs that he had picked up over the years, as well as the back story to those he wrote himself. His interaction with the audience really added to the atmosphere and overall … of the show.

Dan even got a regular guitar out for a couple of tunes – including a fantastic version of ‘You Can Call Me Al’ that the crowd joined in on the ‘Doo-doo-doo-do’s’ – and showed that his skills extend beyond the banjo.

A fantastic show and performance by a fantastic performer.