The Crooked Fiddle Band

The Crooked Fiddle Band, WOMADelaide, March 12

Jess Randall arrives on stage, and judging by the bristling quiver of fiddle bows strapped to her back, she clearly means business.

Randall deftly swaps between her bows as needed, as The Crooked Fiddle Band segue from slow sorrowful tunes to frantic uptempo numbers. 

Her soaring fiddle is ably supported by Gordon Wallace on guitar, bouzouki and cittern, Mark Stevens on double bass; and Joe Gould on drums.

The Milkman – inspired by a Rastafarian Milkman – is a particular highlight.

The kind of act born to play the Frome St stage amidst the fruitbats, The Crooked Fiddle lifted the WOMADelaide crowd to their feet with their distinctive brand of “chainsaw folk”.

– Max Opray