The impetus
of what a live show gives to an album can never be underestimated. This is
certainly the case for Amber Cross, a singer-songwriter from California currently
spinning the wheel of fortune in foreign lands. While the riches may be modest
in some sense, the enormity of her approach to making music is landing directly
onto ears taking a calculated chance on an artist ripened for appeal. When her
most recent album headed across the ocean in renewed re-boot mode earlier this
year (originally released in the US in 2017), you knew something was bubbling
without being quite able to nail it down. Having now witnessed the live show,
the multiple pieces effortlessly slot together to propel forward an artist
capable of forming a deep niche on the international roots touring scene.Scheduling Amber Cross in the Kitchen Garden for one of the dates on her UK tour was a wise move, even more so treading the same floor as compatriot Molly Tuttle did just a week earlier. Differences between the two may be aplenty, but the pair intrinsically link via a capability to deliver a song right from the heart of where country music should align itself. Amber Cross may be no upstart from the southern states, in fact just an idealistic roamer heading out of a corner of Maine at the first opportunity to finally make creative peace in northern California, give or take the odd inspirational moments from the romanticised south-west.
Given a hefty
two- hour slot, either side of the obligatory break, was an opportunity seized
upon by Amber and her guitar-playing sidekick, husband James Moore. Little
time was wasted in playing the bulk of songs from the recent album, SAVAGE ON
THE DOWNHILL, but more pertinently, flush out huge chunks of the Amber Cross
backstory and the many fascinating experiences, roots and associated stories to
her special songs. Leaving this show without falling for her traditional leaning
vocals and simple yet such thoughtful music was an option not on the table. (Literally. the table had the most interesting
of merch in the form of a range of flannel shirts for sale alongside the CDs).
Listening
intently throughout rattled the brain for voice comparisons, which eventually
settled with Iris Dement. The traditional flavor compounded on the evening in
the shape of the sole cover, and cue for folks to look up the work of Rose
Maddox in light of her contribution to country music in the Post war years. However, the show had its defining moments in recent times with a
sizable chunk of inspiration coming from a rural background, highlighting water
shortages out west and more specifically hunting stories and experiences of
wild boar and wild turkey relevant to Amber. Characters also featured strongly,
exemplified in three tracks from the recent album: ‘Tracey Joe’, ‘Trinity Gold
Mine’ and ‘Echoes’, the latter focusing
on relationship breakdown.
Musically,
Amber and James gelled perfectly. His 1932 guitar did the bulk of the solo
inserts, with her 1961 version keeping to the three-chord remit. Occasionally,
James switched to mandolin and for the ‘silly song finale’ a slice of harmonica
cut in.
To give the
latest album some respite, Amber checked back to her previous recordings. ‘Selma’, ‘San Joaquin’ and ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ were three selections
from YOU CAN COME IN and off her gospel record MY KIND OF CHURCH, the
self-penned ‘How Do You Pray’
featured. Perhaps for the key moment on the evening though, we have to go back
to SAVAGE ON THE DOWNHILL, and say that ‘Pack of Lies’
came across as Amber Cross at her best.
This Kitchen
Garden gig was one clearly not requiring a support as the main act brought
their comprehensive ‘A’ game. Birmingham was fortunate to be on the Amber Cross
horizon and a seriously impressive performer saw her credentials rise in the
vivid minds of those sauntering down Kings Heath way on this Thursday evening.