March 10th: Caledonian Soul: Blue Rose Code - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham

With a headline of Caledonian Soul there only has to be one artist - the one and only Blue Rose Code. The set started out as Ross Wilson on his own, but it wasn't long before the touring companion for this trip - Eliza Wren Payne - was invited to join him on stage and the gig eventually panned out to be one in a duet format. We had already been introduced to the music of Eliza when she opened the evening with a thirty-minute set under the guise of her recording name Wrenne. It soon became apparent that Ross and herself go back a long time with fifteen years being quoted, and a period when they both lived in London active on the open mic scene.  

Times have certainly changed for Ross and his now well-known Blue Rose Code moniker, to the level where he is one of the most respected Scottish musicians plying their trade on the ever widening alt-folk circuit. The Kitchen Garden have been fortunate to host him on several occasions over the last few years often in different formats. It was only twelve months ago when a three-piece line up appeared at the venue to promote THE WATER OF LEITH album. 

This time the gig had a smaller scale element to it with Ross using the set to road test a couple of new songs due to appear on the upcoming next record. The slimmer set up does nothing to diminish the stylish temperance groove to the frequently lo-fi music of Blue Rose Code. Ross has never sounded better and holds an audience in the cusp of his whispering vocals, one adorned with a hypnotic Scottish brogue. 

Ross was certainly in a chipper mood this evening. Adept at mixing wit and just holding back on a self-admitted over candid exterior, he was thankful to the inner editor within, but you feel Blue Rose Code is a stronger outfit when the whole travails of Ross Wilson are poured into it. Those present would without doubt concur with this view.

Blue Rose Code flew on the periphery of my radar for a number of years. Reeling in the music to an accessible point has been a wise manoeuvre in what can be a crowded room. Evening's like this, and any format Ross Wilson chooses to represent Blue Rode Code in, fully justify the decision to take a closer look at someone so respected. You leave the show with the impression that this feeling is mutual between artist and fans. Roll on new Blue Rose Code music and more Birmingham shows. 

Nb. Fascinated to see the Hibernian on tour sticker complete with British Rail sign and 1875 branding never leaves Ross's guitar. A proud Hibee to the core.