Let’s leave the alt tag on one side for the moment and pose
the question; is there a better country band in the UK at this current time than The Redlands
Palomino Company? True, they position themselves on the rock side of the genre
but where else can you find such delectable harmonies, strong songs, luscious
pedal steel and a driving drum and bass backbeat in a tight knit five piece
band. Fresh on the back of their fabulous new album BROKEN CARELESSLY, the band
has undertaken a short UK tour to promote the record and the evidence of their
storming performance in Worcester suggests they are in fine fettle.
For me, the Redlands experience began in the Marr’s Bar half
a dozen years ago and this compact city centre club hosted the band again, giving
those present the joy of hearing many of the new songs live for the first time.
It didn’t take long to deliver the tracks from the latest album as, without any unnecessary
introductions, Hannah launched into ‘Broken Carelessly’, the title and one of
the stand-out tracks from the new record. Soon to be classic songs flowed from
the album with ‘Solitary Strangers’
and ‘Everything I’m Not’ being
particular highlights.
Although husband and wife team, Hannah and Alex Elton-Wall
are the architects and heartbeat of the band, you cannot fail to be impressed
by the multi-talented musician Dave Rothon who has added song writing to his pedal
steel, keyboard and guitar artistry. His 60’s west coast revivalist number ‘She Can Live Without You’ echoed with
pure nostalgia to sync with a band sound that tips its hat very much down the
Gram Parsons road of the country highway. At this point it would be remiss and
inappropriate to ignore some electrifying pedal steel picking by Rothon on ‘Don’t Ever Let Me Down’.
As usual with any Redlands gig there are moments of genuine
heartfelt tomfoolery but when the band gets in their rhythm, with significant
assistance from Rain on bass and Dan Tilbury on drums, you scratch your heads
as to why they remain relatively undiscovered by the masses. Perhaps opportunity
hasn’t always shined kindly on the band but their current alliance with the
Clubhouse stable suggests they are not far away from a driving influence. One
such song previewed during the set was ‘Sunday’,
a track exclusively selected for the label’s Record Store Day release.
Redlands' back catalogue is not the most exhaustive collection
but three old favourites never seem to leave their live set and it would not
feel right to see the band without listening to ‘She Is Yours’. ‘Wasted On You’
and their pre-encore number ‘Take Me Home’.
For this evening we went back a little further with ‘Get On The Train’ from their 2004 debut album as well as hearing
the only cover in the set, a version of ‘One
A.M.’ originally recorded by country rock legends The Dillards.
Amongst occasionally frivolous chat which adds to the band’s
laid back demeanour, Hannah was bemused about the current single ‘In These Lines’ being accompanied by an explicit
banner on download sites but this misunderstood track is proving popular in
being the showcase song from the new
album. However for me the true gem of the record appeared in the encore and
repeat listens to the lyrics of ‘Band
Song’ reveals a soul to their music and a line straight to the heart of
pedal steel lovers.
Of course there was still time for the band to pay homage to
Neil Young in their standard closer ‘Doin’
It For The Country’ and put a crown on another first class performance by The Redlands Palomino Company. Hopefully the fortune of opportunity will look favourably
on this great band in the future with both tours and albums being not so far
apart. However we can but live in the present and enjoy the current rich
pickings from BROKEN CARELESSLY and catch the band whenever we can. They are
standard bearers in this country for a sound immortalised in American heritage.
Set List - Broken Carelessly: The Boat: Wasted On You: Sunday: She Can Live Without You: Everything I'm Not: Scattered Earth: In These Lines: Don't Ever Let Me Down: Get On The Train: Solitary Strangers: She Is Yours: Take Me Home Encore - Band Song: Doin' It For The Country
