Review: When Judas Met John
By Zoë White, The Wee Review, 10 Aug 2022.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Impeccable folk musicians offer a fresh, insightful take on timeless melodies.

The relationship between Bob Dylan and John Lennon was certainly a complex one. This thorny friendship, with its tangled threads of respect, rivalry and mockery is the subject of Irish duo Brothers Broke’s intimate and informative show When Judas Met John. After the show’s success at last year’s Fringe, twin brothers Tom and Hugh Adams have brought their delicate vocal harmonies and pristine musicianship back to Edinburgh for another year.

With Tom’s intricate guitar-work and Hugh expertly juggling bass guitar and harmonica, the pair perform each song with a lightness of touch… the brothers’ sense of subtlety shines on their tender rendition of Roll On John, Dylan’s poignant 2012 tribute to Lennon.

At other points, the duo weave the two artists’ music together. The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood, for example, is intercut with Dylan’s Fourth Time Around. Similarly, Dylan’s formidable condemnation of the arms industry, Masters of War, is spliced with Lennon’s own protest song Working Class Hero. Emphasising the relevance of their political messaging today, the brothers drive home the righteous, unforgiving anger of both songs in one of the show’s most powerful moments.

When Judas Met John is simply a delight for music fans. Relishing the many nuances and contradictions of the two artists’ unique relationship, the brothers highlight the songwriters’ commonalities – word-play, surrealism, biting political commentary – as well as exploring their differences, such as Dylan’s aloof obscurity compared with Lennon’s raw, introspective honesty. But while far more in-depth than a simple tribute concert, the show never alienates its audience. Whether you’re going along for a thoughtful analysis of two legendary songwriters, or simply to hear some classic melodies reinterpreted in blissful, chilled-out folk, Brothers Broke have got you covered.

Review: When Judas Met John
By Louise Rodgers, Three Weeks Edinburgh, Aug 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A welcome return of this interesting show to the Fringe. This informal yet earnest folk club-like performance was not a tribute to either John Lennon or Bob Dylan, rather it was an exploration, with musical examples, of how Brothers Broke consider that these two artists influenced each other.

There was no attempt to sound like Dylan or Lennon here, and this Irish duo’s own arrangements gave integrity. Like A Rolling Stone was a highlight; it was enjoyable to hear these well-loved songs in the company of fellow enthusiasts with the addition of something to think about!