FEW evenings could have been more enjoyable than that at the Live Theatre as I caught up with the new kids on the block.

Virginia-based family bluegrass band Gold Heart, fronted by three teenage sisters with their father on upright bass and Swedish musician Jens Koch standing in on banjo, were nothing short of amazing!

Coming on stage after the promising locally-based folk act the Cornshed Sisters, the Gold family performed a sublime set.

Bluegrass can on occasions become a little repetitive in the hands of lesser mortals, but such was the stunning four-part vocal harmonies, incisive fiddle, mandolin, rhythm guitar and lead vocals (shared by Analise, Jocelyn and Shelby) the idea never entered my head.

Displaying maturity beyond their tender years, Shelby especially defied all with her daring fiddle. That she never over-played even on the solos.

Like her sisters, the 13-year-old looks to have the world as her oyster.

Adding a couple or more standards to go with their own songs, the music or tempo never wavered, and with Koch showing himself to be well accomplished on banjo (it being only the second time he had played with them), it dovetailed immaculately.

Fine examples of their work were to include a rousing version of Walls Of Time, a slick instrumental, beautiful a cappella effort Walk On The Water and, bluegrass gospel delight Lead Me Up To Glory that served as their richly deserved encore.

Maurice Hope