The Local Tour @ Captain's Rest, 23 Jan

It's clear that Sam Amidon (****) plays from a folk tradition: not just in the banjos and guitars that pepper his set, not in the continual thread of storytelling that runs across it, but in his constant references to the folklore of North America. Country, bluegrass and gospel are all united through Amidon's bookish, Paul Gambaccini-esque voice, singing songs from the heart of a continent. His love for music deafens any polarities of genre, an enthusiasm that links love songs and hymns.

Unfortunately, Doveman (**) does not create quite so much atmosphere, limited by an overly hushed voice and a determination to disguise what songs he may have beneath layers of bubbling piano and flat feedback. An unremarkable intermission, he merely acts as a melting pot of the lesser ideas of his fellow performers.

Contrasting this, the beguiling David Thomas Broughton (*****) pursues a confusing contrast of ironic posing with genuine, draining emotion. He strides into the audience counting the change from his pockets and handing it out, singing all the while. Every moment feels improvised, entirely unpredictable, and, consequently, completely absorbing. Despite creating dextrous and imaginative loops, he is never bracketed by them, each pattern only fortifying that unstoppable voice. A naturally gripping performer. [Jamie Scott]