Leon Rosselson at Walthamstow Folk Club

Leon Rosselson is a giant. For decades he has been quietly playing folk clubs, and gigs and was even played a real part in the post-war revival of folk music in the UK. For those who’ve not heard of him before his biggest brush with main stream fame is the fact that he’s the author of “Billy Bragg’s” World Turned Upside Down hit.

When I heard Rosselson was going to be playing on Sunday it was an opportunity too good to miss. I’ve been listening to his boxed set Leon Rosselson – The World Turned Upside Down back to back for weeks in preparation for the gig and it’s been well worth doing. Even some of the more eccentric numbers (and there are a number of them) gradually grow on you and get under the skin.

There are few funnier and more sincere acts around, and off the top of my head I can’t think of even one. With a sly charm and easy grace Rosselson was more than at home at Walthamstow Folk Club and the gig felt more like a living room full of friends, even if one of those friends had captivated everyone else.

I don’t think I’d be giving anything away by revealing Rosselson is somewhat left of center and you’re unlikely to hear many other singer songwriters praise benefit cheats, denounce the very notion of police officers and even those damnable fish fingers. However, if that makes you think of earnest agit-prop or *shudder* radical theatre then you’d be mistaken. Half his set are love songs and even when he is, essentially, calling for the overthrow of capitalism it’s always with gentle humour and intelligence.

In May he’ll be helping out launching an anti-capitalist road show which is full of old favourites like Robb Johnson, Reem Kelani, Grace Petrie, Ian Saville and Peggy Seeger – keep your eyes out for more publicity nearer the time because he’s really not to be missed.