Heidi Talbot & Toby Shaer

Let’s stop for a minute to note – and not take for granted – the fact that Crail, notwithstanding its tininess, delivers way beyond its weight.

If proof were required then just peek with me into Crail Folk Club on Thursday… who’s that on the stage… well, it’s Heidi Talbot, she of the super-impressive folk credentials, last seen at the Community Hall with the inestimably talented Boo Hewerdine. This time she’s accompanied by Toby Shaer… ‘an up-and-coming folk musician from Leigh on Sea, Essex’ quoth his website… surely words from the past for he’s very much arrived, here and now and a master of his craft.

And who’s that audience member with the teacosy bunnet? It’s himself, King Creosote. Perhaps they’ll duet on their 2013 collab ‘Button Up’ - perhaps he’ll grace us with a floor spot? No, never happened, but that’s ok, there’s enough going on.

Heidi and Toby kick off with ‘Mist’, written with her long-term associate, the aforementioned Mr Hewerdine. It’s the kick off track form her latest album ‘Grace Untold’ and is a gem of a song. The kind of song you already think you know. Not because it sounds like lots of other songs - formulaic, but because everything about is so beautifully placed, catchy, dovetailed, smoothed, like a great piece of artwork; it sounds so natural that you can’t even sense the sweat behind it, like looking at a beautiful Rothko and not being conscious of the manky paint splattered studio and the hours of effing and blinding to get it to the still point of perfection. It was that good.

Tom Waits ‘Time’ is presented with poise and grace, Tom’s world-weary street-sentimental, Dylanesque, Springsteenesque, smoky red-rimmed eye out of the window. It’s always nice to hear Waits’ songs interpreted by a fine singer, for his voice - being a taste I have yet to acquire - doesn’t often waft from my Dansette. If I want to hear that kind of thing I’ll wait ‘til my dog sees the postman from the window, his woofing is a tad easier on the ear! But... Heidi sings it beautifully, and Tom’s songs have magic.

And who’s this? We’re introduced to Molly Mae Talbot McCusker, Heidi’s daughter who takes the lead on Kris Drever’s ‘Wild Hurricane’, a sweet country waltz. So, mark Molly May in your future book of must-sees, her voice is already remarkable, such quality and expression over her range was a joy to hear.

Heidi invites us to a singalong with a tune from her latest album. The song had draft, fag packet, lyrics which ended up staying in the final song, giving it its title. So, picture the scene, we have a room full of Crail Folk Club’s finest singing ‘ooo-ooo-ooo, rainbows and kinky kisses’. Probably should be one of those what-happens-at-the-folk-club-stays-at-the-folk- club moments, but… oops I’ve told the tale here.

As ever, one could go on, and on, and on but I think the picture is now painted. If Heidi, Toby and Molly Mae make an appearance near your manor, then catch them, you won’t regret it!

Photos by Peter Salkeld, words by Callum MacLeod