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Dave Swarbrick, The Arc Theatre, Trowbridge.

THE publicity photograph had the entertainer in a library holding his beloved fiddle, which gave clues that he has other interests.

Most of what I had read or been told about Dave Swarbrick concerned his illness, but he made little mention of it, making it on stage with only the aid of a stick.

There were moments when elements of this illness were incorporated in his performance - Dave had even folkalized his tracheotomy cover. Because of this surgery he has been advised not to sing, but, obviously keen to keep hold of this skill for as long as possible, he demonstrated a singing style which put me in mind slightly of Mark Knopfler.

His musicality, choice of tunes and enthusiasm were nearly as bright as his shirt. When Dave plays the fiddle he appears to be in another place, clearly in his element.

His fiddleship is on a par with that of Phil Beer, while Dave himself has a fiddle-playing nephew - a musical trio any folk fan would surely relish Although unpublicised, Dave had a guest guitarist for part of the evening. Their musicianship put me in mind of Antonio Fortiori.

It could be argued that, in more ways than one, Dave Swarbrick has trodden the same path as Vin Garbutt. To have these two master musicians on the same stage would be a musical treat indeed.

Neill Cadmore

8:55am Thursday 17th April 2008

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