Two modern day troubadours, fiercely independent minded souls and travellers singing not primarily about love, but in this challenging complex 21st century, sang about positivity, hope, and a host of themes! Indeed, based on tonight’s gig at this legendary basement venue, these talented artists so deserve your support, given the commonality between them and a synergy in their musical pairing. Musical nomad Samuel Ashton is UK based, but has an international accent and sounds more like a Kiwi, having travelled across South America and much more. The other is Melbourne based award winning acoustic and roots based Bluesman Shaun Kirk, another nomad, currently on a short tour of UK and Ireland, who has headlined on the major Australian festival circuit, as well as opening for artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart and more.

Opened in 1954, Anna Mazzotta’s black and white artwork greeted me as I went down the stairs to this cellar club, where Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Adele, Elvis Costello, Ed Sheeran, plus many others have graced this stage. Indeed, the intimate setting and atmosphere so suited Ashton and Kirk, and the appreciative audience of all ages, who had come from far afield to hear this special gig, the joint soon filled up. As for myself, I had no expectations. I was there on a flyer - from a Facebook feed - to check out Kirk - having visited his hometown earlier this year.

First on was Ashton, who describes himself as soulful, Blues Soul and Americana, bringing his physically tall and humbling presence off stage on stage. This man really does write and sing positive Blues, narrates well, and has such a powerful voice, that’s soulful yet raw when required. His impressive, expressive compositions this evening included ‘Breathe Easy’, about the power of breath and life, ‘Send Me Angels’, ‘Love In The Sun’ and ‘Witch Doctor’.

Samuel added that we all need angels, and told the story about when he was busking at Waterloo Station, Madeline Bell, not knowing who she was, not only gave him ten pounds, but she also joined him in singing a song! Suffice to say Madeline invited Ashton as her guest to Ronnie Scott’s, where he played with her on stage. Samuel‘s likeable presence, interesting backstory from a rural Kent village, much travelled and influenced by other cultures, is a young soul spreading the light and deserves some serious attention. He should not still be busking!

Shaun Kirk has been playing since he was 16 and is now 37. He sounds a bit like Bob Dylan (and this venue setting suited) but with a lot more range, power and backstory to his musical and narrative bow. Armed with only a guitar, harmonica, stomp box, mic and plectrums, as well as his awesome powerhouse voice, he delighted and captivated the crowd. Indeed, I loved his set, his compositions and his stories, as well as his honesty for sharing his life and what has shaped him. It made his performance far more meaningful and gave the audience an insight into this unique, talented, musical man and his soul.

Despite being worried about ticket sales (apparently it had cost him thousands to come over here), he talked about how thrilled he was to be in the UK and that dreams do come true. In fact tonight was his first gig and he gave us such a treat with his rich set list, opening with ‘Howling at The Moon’, followed by ‘Where Did You Sleep’ and then the breath taking ‘Live Till I Die’. He also talked about being an independent artist and being pressurised to write love songs for streaming purposes!

Kirk was inspired to write ‘I Killed a Man I Never Met’, after touring in the outback, and the bars and the people that he met. Such as the alcohol-fuelled jealousy that would arise between men and women outside the pubs and joints in the street parties after closing time, of which the narration and composition of this next song was so music meets film noire. He finished his set with ‘Tranquillity’, ‘Save My Soul’ and ‘Holding Onto Hope’, the latter of which Shaun introduced as being based on a long relationship break up, losing his mortgage and moving back in with his parents. However, the night ended on a high note as Kirk got down with the crowd, and had them all singing acapella as well as playing some slide Blues.

Catch both these talented and original artists live in future if you can, or literally buy into their music, spreading the word, and particularly in Shaun’s case, let’s collectively encourage him to come back to the UK again. He really is an understated world class troubadour.

Review and Photos: Denise Lester