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| The Magic Numbers |
Ironically, first up on the the adapted Whisky Saloon stage was the American artist Robert Chaney, although his long term residency in London crosses over as much as the general feel of this event. Robert first crossed my path a couple of years ago with a solo set at Maverick; a likewise support slot in Oxford and an album packed with deftly dark songs. A couple of years on, there was an indication of change, although underpinned by a similar demeanour. This time a full band was in tow including pedal steel to steer the sound away from folk and into the realm of country. His half-hour set was entirely made up of newer songs, which on first listen were definitely a lighter shade of noir in their content and make-up. ‘Hurricane’, ‘What’s His Name’ and ‘Swing Low’ were a selection of the songs shared with the festival’s early arrivals, and they promised to be a flavour of a new album likely to drop in the not too distant future.
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| Robert Vincent |
There was a slight break in the seamless nature with Case
Hardin following Robert Chaney onto the Whisky Saloon stage after a short ten-minute
changeover period (the solitary one before the two-stage operation began).
Although Case Hardin activity tends to be intermittent probably due to other
commitments, they never fail to impress either though sparkling live
performances or albums they periodically release. This time there was a full
band on display with a rhythm section of bass, drums and keys proudly
supporting front man Pete Gow and his exceptional lead guitarist Jim Maving.
Absence never seems to diminish an appreciation for how good this band are when
operating in full flow; it may even re-vitalise it. The thirty-minute
set spanned the breadth of the Case Hardin repertoire. Two of my favourites
from the most recent COLOURS SIMPLE album in ‘(Jesus Christ Tomorrow Morning) Do I Still Have To Feel This Way’ and
‘Roll Damnation Roll’ were probably
the pick of the selection offered with ‘A
Lullaby (..Of Sorts)’ taken from an older album following closely on their
heels.
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| The Redlands Palomino Company |
Any slight disappointment in Case Hardin not playing a longer
set appeased quickly with a quick shuffle into the main arena to see Robert
Vincent about to commence a performance. The year since the release of his most
recent album I’ll MAKE THE MOST OF MY SINS continues to treat this Liverpudlian
well. Hot off the tracks from a nationwide support slot for Beth Nielsen
Chapman and that late night performance on the Old Grey Whistle Test tribute
show, the full band once again assembled as the set times started to lengthen
a little. The acquisition/hiring of in-demand pedal steel/multi-guitarist CJ
Hillman gives the songs a different dimension, more alt-country than straight
out rock that can often consume the full band live shows. This alteration compounded further
by the utilisation of a fellow band member switching between fiddle, banjo and
mandolin. One slight blemish on the venue’s sound was the fiddle not being
particularly clear to pick up, but the sentiment was at least there. The set list was standard for folks getting
used to seeing Robert Vincent live with ‘Demons’
the usual closer, but on this occasion the recent album title track and its
sibling song from the first album LIFE IN EASY STEPS making the greatest
impressions.
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| Robert Chaney |
No sooner had this set finished then it was back to the
Whisky Saloon (drink in hand, although more ale based than liquor) for a now
becoming annual renewal of The Redlands Palomino Company love affair. If
acquaintance with Case Hardin is sporadic, it has been the same with their
Clubhouse label stable mates for as long as being a fan (now well over a
decade). However, on the back of a slot at Tingestock last summer, this Hannah and
Alex Elton-Wall co-led five-piece have considerably narrowed the bridge between
gigs seen and from a hazy memory, this was a tighter performance than last
year. Between new songs, homages to Teenage Fan Cub and a cover of Nick Lowe’s ‘(What’s So Funny ‘Bout’) Peace, Love and
Understanding’, it is still old style Redlands that fires up the crowd with
devotees chanting ’24 hours to kill’ in the refrain to ‘Wasted on You’. Maybe time ran out before ‘Doin’ It For the Country’ had the chance to test the vocal chords
of the audience for a second time, but it was just grateful to catch this band
live once again.
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| Case Hardin |
Main arena headliners for this opening evening of Ramblin’
Roots Revue saw a slight twist in style with The Magic Numbers enlisted into
the fold to play a show in the run up to the release of a new album. Mainstream
success, although in the deep distant past, plays a part in the stage persona
of this double brother-sister combo, one with a tendency to rock out more than
a majority of acts booked to play Ramblin’ Roots. This set obviously attracted plenty
of their fans to the event and this led to old favourites like ‘Forever Lost’ and ‘Love Me Like You’ going down a storm. To preview their upcoming
album OUTSIDERS, 'Sweet Divide, ‘Sing
Me a Rebel Song’ and ‘Wayward’
were a selection of newbies. The latter was a toned down slower piece penned in
honour of Romeo’s son and a song, which enabled the added pedal steel to play a
more significant part than on the upbeat numbers. Romeo’s sister, Michele
Stodart continues to be the enthusiastic pulse beat of the band and there is
surely no greater animated bassist around. On an evening where covers were
generally at a premium, The Magic Numbers ended with a Neil Young tribute and
honoured the audience choice of ‘Harvest
Moon’ over the simultaneously offered ‘Cowgirl
in the Sand’.
This brought the opening evening to a fitting end and set the
scene for a great weekend of which further details will have to be found
elsewhere. For fans of western shirts, pedal steel and country music spliced
with a hefty portion of roots rock on an alternative platform, Ramblin’ Roots
Revue is a gift-wrapped treat. Hopefully, it will achieve its hat trick of
staging in 2019 and circumstances that enabled a solitary Friday night appearance
this year will expand across the weekend.
