Saturday, 31 July 2010 
Other Reviews
Tales of Love, War and Death by Hanging
Hearts And Minds
False Lights From The Land EP
Folk Against Fascism
The Longshot
Blue Beginnings
Levellers Live
Show Of Hands
Dust And Gold
Steve Knightley & Jenna
15/01/2010
Rachel Taylor-Beales and Stacey Blythe Live
Millennium Centre, Cardiff
The grandeur of the Millennium Centre is a splendid place to witness an afternoon of live music. For some time now the venue have used their foyer stage to promote Welsh performers, from numerous genres, and it's here we find Rachel Taylor-Beales and Stacey Blythe, an inspired combination.
Rachel is due to release the third installment of her colour trilogy and it's from this forthcoming material that most of her contributions are taken today. Those familiar with her work will find Rachel playing to her strengths with self-discovery and wry observations given a fresh coat of vitality.
An emerging Queen of the couplet, Rachel serves up some fine examples: 'how fragile these things, how quietly amazing' ('Come On In') and 'the death bed of her ancestors, the lifeblood of her youth' ('Child In The Sun') all suspended in some strong melodic guitar work. And, as far as the new narratives go, a lot of focus will centre on 'Turnaround Town', a childhood experience of Rachel's from Australia; a devastating story which puts a spotlight on the tensions and poverty that the Aboriginal population live with everyday.
Stacey could probably coax a beguiling tune from the spoons given time. The effortless way in which she moves between her instruments silencing onlookers with a repetoire burtsing with devine Celtica would suggest so. It's the sheer variety that amazes with wisps of dancing notes from her harp ('Y Glomen The Dore'), to virtuoso accordion ('Macedonia') and full-blooded pomp at the piano with some solo material - others may know her from the group Ffynnon.
When the pair choose a number to cover they opt for Phil Cunningham & Aly Bain's 'Waltz For Kate Martin', which brings a dash of romance, and contrasts nicely with the thunderous encore, Rachel's 'Here We Go', which serves up a fitting sing-a-long vibe for the gathered crowd whose day is now truely memorable.
David Kushar