Opportunities to see Ags Connolly in the West Midlands have
been thin on the ground in the past. Therefore, a quick last minute notification
of an appearance on the Wolverhampton Country Songwriter’s Night needed little
invitation once a window appeared. The slot may have been just over half an
hour in a four-way presentation, but this brief acquaintance at least reaffirmed
the unique style that he successfully cultivates.In a climate where country music evolution frequently takes a turn for the worse, Ags adopts a naturally organic steadfast stance pertaining to a style endemic to the roots of the genre. Discovering similar performers of his ilk in terms of vocal, sincerity and song writing approach has often proved a futile task. Frequently, Ags has found soulmate collaboration in touring American artists, usually those of an Ameripolitan persuasion. For the uninitiated, this is a phrase coined by Dale Watson in response to traditional country and honky tonk performers facing alienation on the mainstream wing of the genre.
For me the term ‘traditional’ gets increasingly uncomfortable,
suggesting an ‘ill-informed’ Luddite existence. This is particularly pertinent to
a writer of original material that brims with respect, and succeeds in
succumbing to some of life’s most primal feelings in a style immersed into the
mood of the song. Ags has successfully achieved this across his two major studio
albums to date, with positive indication that it will continue in the future.
This last point was re-enforced by a new song shared in tonight’s set titled ‘Lonely Night in Austin’. Many advocates
of ‘new country’ argue that UK audiences fail to connect with augmented American
references, but that is part of the romanticised appeal of the genre in its
purist form for those seeking a virtual escape from the rituals of suburbia.
This brief exposure to an artist with a finger on the pulse
of these ideals lived up to expectation. With the modest investment of the
evening firmly in the credit column, it was interesting to assess what else was
on offer from this well attended monthly event. Opening the evening was a
family trio from North Wales parading under the ironic name Blue Genes. Of the
remaining acts, they came across as closer to my taste possessing an organic
sound awash with pristine harmonies and selective bouts of vocal
impressiveness. A foray into the Welsh language also met with approval in an
indicative statement of country’s natural alignment with folk.
Midlands based duo, Gasoline & Matches sandwiched Ags and
Blue Genes in the running order and are intrinsically entrenched in the modern
stream of the genre, currently experiencing an upsurge in interest across the
nation. Another local act in the Emma Swindells Band adopts the role of resident artist and is scheduled to close most of these monthly gatherings. Both acts accrued
a positive reaction from the audience, but would need major readjustments to resonate
further with my musical ideals.
Ags Connolly meets these head on and continues to spearhead a fulfilling lonesome trail, which is at least spiritually rich in kinfolk. Long may this connection remain, with perhaps room still for one or two likeminded artists to give him a competitive run on the UK scene.
