Calstock Arts will host a duo with an impressive CV this evening, Friday, October 13 — Boo Hewerdine and Brooks Williams.

Combining the mercurial talents of English songwriting legend Boo and acclaimed American Blues guitarist and songwriter Brooks, State of the Union create a stripped back and exciting musical atmosphere, their performances consistently brilliant, equal parts emotive and entertaining.

Their original songs are infused by a multitude of influences, from Willie Nelson to Johnny Cash, from the wide open Fenlands to the frenetic buzz of the city.

Their recordings are made quickly, in most instances first take, live in the studio but the sound this amazing acoustic duo capture is rich and expertly executed.

Boo fronted The Bible, a band that hovered around success for a number of years but he has since enjoyed a solo career spanning over two decades.

Nick Hornby invited him to write the music for the film of his book, Fever Pitch along with lots of other film and TV work as well as being producer for many top performers such as The Corrs and Heidi Talbot.

He was also asked to play support on a Tori Amos tour.

Boo has written for Eddi Reader (for whom he has been guitarist and producer), Christine Collister, Chris Difford, Kris Drever and KD Lang and many others.

His range has been impressive. He was nominated for an Ivor Novello award for the Eddi Reader song Patience of Angels in 1995.

Brooks Williams started out in the clubs and bars of Boston USA and from there he has toured in ever-widening circles for nearly three decades.

Over the years he has played guitar alongside Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Paul Jones, Little Feat, Maria Muldaur, Shawn Colvin and Leo Kottke, to name but a few.

His style has been described as combining roots, jazz, blues, classical and folk – though latterly his focus has been focused on blues guitar, recording tracks for such legends as Robert Johnson, Memphis Slim & Bessie Smith.

In 2013 Williams was nominated best male vocalist by the UK’s foremost roots-music magazine, Spiral Earth.

On paper how do you reconcile such disparate backgrounds as The Corrs and Little Feat?—but they manage it in an exciting blend of music.