I missed going to Jim's Cafe last night to go to the Trades Club at Hebden Bridge to see the Rory McLeod and Rory Ellis gig.

An excellent nights live entertainment, with two brilliant singer songwriters, the night started with Rory Ellis an Australian singer/songwriter who combines a rich distinctive voice with emotive lyrics to produce an exhilarating and original sound.
 
The Melbourne native has spent over 20 years touring the world with his unique brand of urban folk. He takes inspiration from his homeland and the varied histories of its people, and from his own eventful life, which has seen him on the wrong side of the criminal justice system and working as security in some of Melbourne’s less salubrious establishments.

Rory released his first studio album, Ride, in 2000. This was followed by a live studio album, Road of the Braver Man, in 2003.

His third album, The Rushes, which has so far only been released in the UK, pulls focus towards his influences of blues and country music but retains the emphasis on Australian cultural history, social commentary and anecdotal insights.

Currently on his third tour of the UK, Rory has supported, amongst others, Eric Bibb, Chumbawamba and Gordon Haskell. 
Audiences at Rory’s numerous UK festival appearances and intimate performances have been captivated by his powerful vocal
command and subtle acoustic instrumentation that bring the vivid stories to life.

Rory Ellis will be touring the UK until he returns home in late December for the Australian release of ‘The Rushes’ . He’ll return
to the UK for a six month tour in late April 2006.   

Here are a few reviews.

What the critics have said about Rory Ellis in the past…..

If you are not deeply moved by this superb debut by Melbourne singer/songwriter Rory Ellis its doubtful you're human. .
Lyall Johnson ,The Age EG

A voice that recalls the booming power of Chris Wilson....Michael Smith, Drum Media

It is to Rory Ellis that we must look to gain an insight into the grit of the streets and those who live in its shadows as he has so eloquently captured this often misunderstood layer of harsh reality in both story and song.....
Graham Blackley, Beat Magazine

Such is the quality of Rory Ellis's voice alone the richness of the timbre, the skill of his technique - that he conveys an irresistable
charisma. And that's not even counting his songwriting skills. The first few verses I heard, I was done for - instant fan….
Jackey Coyle , Rhythms Magazine

To put it simply I have been blown away. As I sit here in front of my computer just having listened to Road Of The Braver Man,
I have to admit my life has been enriched. Ellis is a man who has a story to tell and he knows how to tell it a man that is an
important person in the music industry right now…Natalie Vulic,  Beat Magazine

Rory Ellis has a voice as big and far-ranging as all of Australia. It is a voice that has been compared to Chris Wilson's, rich and soulfully expressive, but listeners might also detect traces of Irish balladeer Jackie Leven, and even something of the great
American folk singer Richie Havens. It is a voice perfectly suited to Ellis's songs……
Jeff Glorfeld The Age EG section 11/7/03

The power of Ellis' lyrics is matched by the raw emotion he evokes onstage. In his gruff folky style Ellis takes the listener on a journey through the back alleys of Melbourne and into his home, letting you in to his own private world.....
Fred E Gostein, City Search

He writes songs which come from his own life, not the waffly navel gazing rubbish that comes from so many singer songwriters,
but songs which speak on a wider human level about important and vital parts of our lives....
Graham McDonald ,Program Manager ,National Folk Festival

A voice as big as a gum tree and lyrics many writers would kill for. He has the ability to leave you with a lasting impression that
you have just made a very important visit.....
Jim MacQuarrie, Ex President Australian Folk Alliance

An Australian act that carries the spirit of this country's character. He is the quintessential Melbourne singer/songwriter destined
to please audiences worldwide....
.Chip Wardale President 2002, Cygnet Folk Festival

Rory McLeod

Next we had the pleasure of Rory Mcleod's skillful entertaining, he began by playing the harmonica as he came on stage, unbelievably talented, words would not do justice to his musical ability, needs to be heard to be believed.
His skillfull rythmical finger picking on the accoustic guitar was amazing, with great original songwriting and insight.

Rory Mcleod - ex-circus clown and fire eater. A one man soulband, poet and storyteller, singing his own unique upbeat dance stories. A modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, acappella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djembe and various percussion instruments!

Rory has travelled the globe for different reasons at different times, from Asia to the middle East from Gambia to Cuba, Central America, Australia, North America, Canada, Europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth.

"You don't listen to McLeod you travel with him"
City Hub, Sydney (Australia)

"I've travelled to look for work, to mend a broken heart, to be with someone I longed for. I'd travel to visit friends and on the way I'd make new ones, I'd roam because I was curious to see what was around the next corner, sometimes I travelled to follow the warmer weather and migrate... like the birds and the big whales and fishes do".
Rory

He is a multi - talented performer and musician, playing Harmonica, spoons, guitar and finishing off after 12 pm with a final oncore on the trombone, what a musical experience.
If either of these two guys are playing, make sure you get to see them, definately not to missed.

Here are a few reviews

"...eloquently expressed ideas are set to vibrant, dynamic music with bouncy rhythms, infectious riffs and nifty tunes. McLeod transmitted a pure joy of music making ..."
St Louis Post-Despatch (USA)

"McLeod is one of the most energetic, most generous performers I've seen."
Doug Spencer, ABC Radio (Australia)

"Atavistic peoples' music ... something uncommon and most certainly an endangered species. You'll know Rory when you see him - above all don't miss him next time he's here."
Molly McAnailly Burke, Hot Press (Ireland)

"Rory is a dynamic live performer - never still or silent, his shows radiate energy. All this dynamism does not obliterate his songs which are always thought-provoking and well crafted. Get hold of one of his albums and come and see one of the folk circuit's greatest live performers."
Venue magazine, Bristol (UK)

"...he inspired both a standing ovation on the main stage and widespread enthusiasm at his many workshops."
The Ubyssey, Vancouver Folk Festival (Canada)

"He immediately won the hearts of people by playing a tune on his harmonica to a crying baby, who was so astounded that it stopped crying (temporarily)! For an encore he played Back to Donegal at the request of the crowd which did not want to see him go."
Mary Evans, Sidmouth Herald (UK)

"Like a human organ-grinder..."
City Pages, Minneapolis (USA)

"Rory McLeod was another revelation ... He also proved to be a risk-taking performer leaving the Tinely stage during a harmonica piece to walk among the audience, completing the tune without the PA system!"
Dirty Linen, Womad Festival, Toronto (Canada)

"If you're up there God, then please look after Rompin' Rory, some of us down here need this boy more than breath, love and tears"
Dick Barnes (UK)

"Rory McLeod has a profound disadvantage - for pigeon-holers and hacks - that he is so original it's nigh impossible to compare him with anyone else. Writing songs packed with streams of words, often so dense that the casual listener could easily let the craft, beauty and power of the content slip by. An awe inspiring live performer who, you discover when you repay his craft with the scrutiny it deserves, writes quite brilliant songs."
Ian Anderson, Folk Roots (UK)

All in all a fantastic performance by two excellent singer songwriters.