Three Chords and the Truth UK

By exploring the roots of rock and fusing some exceptional guitar work with a bunch of songs that possess a stand-alone enduring quality, Leeroy Stagger has delivered an album to push the boundaries of alt-country rock. Right from the crashing chords of opener ‘ Memo ’ to the heartfelt strains of the fantastic closing ‘ Jackie ’, TRUTH BE SOLD is a high quality record. It will resonate immediately with those who approach Americana music from an alternative/indie background although there is sufficient diversity in its appeal to reach out across the genre. Once again apologies for applying the term Americana to a Canadian musician but this expanding genre is an all encompassing home for any artist willing to pursue a path of interpreting roots music in a contemporary style. Leeroy has been doing this for a number of years since being introduced to country music during his British Columbia upbringing and this release, his 9 th album in a prolific decade, gets right to the heart of...

Imagine the scenario of a triple bill show featuring Natalie Maines, the Court Yard Hounds and the Dixie Chicks. Unlikely maybe but with all three entities of the ‘Greatest ever country act’ currently active, it’s not out of the realms of possibility. A new recording by the Dixie Chicks, who are headlining a series of Canadian festivals this summer, is another long shot given the recent musical direction of Maines and now the new Court Yard Hounds album but the fact Natalie, Emily and Martie are making new music is a joy to treasure. For their sophomore album under the Court Yard Hounds banner, not forgetting their pre-Natalie Dixie Chicks days, the Erwin sisters have once again turned to producer Jim Scott to successfully steer the AMELITA project to its release. Better known by their married names, Emily still keeps the famous Texan musical family name of Robison after her divorce from Charlie and has taken lead vocals on all but one of the eleven tracks. The trademark fiddle of...

Photo not from gig Without a new album to promote on this tour, Lucinda Williams had a relatively free hand to liberally reflect upon her thirty five year recording career. On the back of an all request show at the recent Gateshead date, there were plenty of track suggestions from a Birmingham Town Hall crowd awash with adulation. Although, no doubt, a few personal favourites were omitted, the set list Lucinda decided upon could hardly be faulted and met the approval of both stalwart fans and more casual observers. By drawing on material from seven of her albums along with a pair of quality covers and new songs, Lucinda served up her brand of roots music laced with a vocal style that aches through the multi genre heartland of a nation defined by its sounds. Whether offering an outstanding country duet with sidekick Doug Pettibone in ‘ Jailhouse Tears’ or capturing the depression era vibes via Skip James ‘ Hard Time Killing Floor Blues’ , you had your music senses continually ...

It would be interesting to ascertain whether single artist compilation albums sell more copies to their existing fan base or to new customers sampling their music for the first time. Obviously this forms part of a double spearhead marketing strategy for both artist and label, although the ultimate aim probably lies in the widening of appeal. Released on the Loose Music label, his latest home, RETROSPECTIVE does what it says on the tin as Peter Bruntnell takes a contemplative look at his eighteen year recording career in this extensively packaged offering. For his existing admirers, this collection will need little introduction with the only re-recorded track being ‘ Played Out’ with the new version featuring Brit award nominee singer-songwriter Rumer. Any subsequent reviews will probably render surplus to the purchase decision making of existing fans, but for the uninitiated they could lead to the door of one of UK mature music scene’s best kept secrets. Peter has been plying his t...

There are certain moments attending gigs when all the ingredients are blending so well that you wish the whole experience could be bottled and savoured for future consumption. In what was certainly one of the highlights so far of this busy year, Cara Luft managed to create such a moment with her subliminal mix of high quality musicianship, enchanting stories, well crafted songs and engaging personality. When you throw into the pot the enhancing input from musical sidekick Scott Poley and the magical atmosphere of a near full Kitchen Garden Café, the desire to seek ways to capture the atmosphere intensifies. Those present will always have the memory while others hopefully can visualise and perhaps experience for themselves one of Cara’s UK shows, which are likely to proliferate in the future. With a pedigree background from a family steeped in folk music back home in Canada, Cara has managed to evolve a sound that pays respect to the traditional song from both sides of the Atlantic...

With a vocal style which aches country, Sara Petite is not a singer out to appease the middle ground. Having fallen straight for her voice when first hearing Bob Harris play material from DOGHOUSE ROSE a while ago, this was an artist that could do no wrong in my book. That 2010 album and its two predecessors were quickly acquired and, after a brief lull, it is great to re-acquaint with her music through this follow up release. CIRCUS COMES TO THE TOWN is very much in a similar mould to the previous records with a clutch of rip roaring numbers interspersing a gentler roots sound, all characterised by that unmistakeable voice wrapping itself around genuine country songs. Geographically and commercially, San Diego based Sara is a great many country miles away from the centre of the industry in Nashville, Tennessee but this need not detract from the authenticity of the sound emanating from her band. However with the current sea change of a more traditional style from female performers...

As a story telling songwriter, Slaid Cleaves is up there with the greats of his adopted home state Texas. Over the last decade a series of masterful albums have originated from the pen of Slaid who ventured south west from his Maine origins around twenty years ago and has also been keen to expand his horizons overseas with a multitude of visits to the listening venues of the UK. STILL FIGHTING THE WAR is another highly engaging collection of songs from the fiercely independent Slaid and over the course of its 45 minute duration, your mind will be enriched by an artistic exposure to some of the issues surrounding contemporary America. While much of the album’s focus is on the opener and title track ‘ Still Fighting the War’ , where Slaid has teamed up with Texan legend Jimmy LaFave to tackle the thorny issue of post conflict trauma, attention is immediately drawn to two tracks co-written with Rod Picott. Both ‘Rust Belt Fields’ and ‘ Welding Burns’ were originally standout tracks...

Americana UK 2012 For a decade now, Eve Selis has had a regular touring presence in the UK. The appeal to leave the sunshine of San Diego behind can’t be in the British weather but the warmth of the reception the UK fans give her more than compensates for this, almost making it a home from home. The Robin 2 and Eve have been good to each other over the years and to reward the loyalty of the sizeable midweek turnout, this evening’s performance was as good has been witnessed over the years. Without the advertised presence of a supporting act, there was the added bonus of a longer performance by Eve and her band with a pair of sets spanning over two hours. Having just flown in from a date in the North Atlantic outpost of the Faroe Isles, there was no rustiness on this opening night of the UK leg with Eve hitting her stride straight from the off with the excellent rendition of the Lori McKenna tune ‘ Witness to your Life’ . Although the band line up was one down from last year’s v...

For an artist who gets name checked so many times as a source of inspiration, the work of Bonnie Raitt hasn’t crossed my path in the past as often as it should have. However following the release of last year’s Grammy winning album SLIPSTREAM and the UK leg of a worldwide tour to promote it, great strides have been made to rectify the situation. Although a strong counter attraction existed in the presence of Neil Young at the nearby LG Arena, there was barely a spare seat to be seen in the Symphony Hall as Bonnie and her band set about answering the question in her own words ‘whether she still has it’. Nearly two hours later, the multiple standing ovations after the main and encore set firmly gave a positive response, which probably was never really in doubt. The influence and widespread appeal of Bonnie’s talent lies in the way she effortlessly glides across the genres of American roots music without settling into any formulaic groove. The term Americana sits very neatly within t...

With such a splendid name, you could only ever associate a band called Gas Food Lodging with Americana music. The iconic sign liberally sprinkled across the freeways, highways and interstates of the USA had its slogan captured in celluloid with the 1992 movie of the same name and several years earlier alternative rock band Green on Red used it as the title of their 1985 album. It is the chain reaction from that band which brings you to the present day. Green on Red was the band where Chuck Prophet cut his cloth prior to a successful solo career and one of Chuck's biggest fans is the Gas Food Lodging founder Dave Griffiths. During the recent Hare and Hounds gig where Chuck made his triumphant return to Birmingham, a series of events led to Dave joining him on stage for one of the final numbers.The influence of Chuck and other giants of American music as well as the Rolling Stones has inspired Dave to form a band to reflect this style and inject some original material into the abun...

As well hosting a wealth of great talent from the USA and Canada, the Maverick Festival is gaining a reputation for providing a platform to showcase many UK artists who are keen to add a transatlantic flavour to their musical influences. In the concluding feature of this three part series, attention turns to the home grown performers gracing the authentic agricultural surroundings of Easton Farm Park on the first weekend of July. Over the last twelve months many of these British artists have been covered on this blog, either via a release or live review, and a wonderful opportunity has been presented to catch up with them all in a single location. Some of these are no strangers to Maverick and there is no finer starting point than to check out the progress of old time influenced roots band Hatful of Rain.Since witnessing their festival appearance last year, this four piece combo who  effectively fuse folk and bluegrass with a sprinkling of Appalachia essence have continued t...

Following the heartfelt story of their destined meeting many years ago in Lubbock, Texas, it was no surprise that The Kennedys finally paid tribute to their hero Buddy Holly with the closing track of the pre-encore second set during this evening's gig. However before the New York based duo delivered a storming version of ‘ Not Fade Away’ to climax their ‘ Eight Miles High’ guitar medley, a sizeable Kitchen Garden Café crowd was treated to an excellent interpretation of Americana music. The duo of Maura and Peter Kennedy are no strangers in Birmingham due to their association with the shows of Nanci Griffiths, and the Kitchen Garden Café welcomed a few first time visitors who will hopefully return to the venue in the future. Over the duration of two hours, those present enjoyed a comprehensive collection of The Kennedys music, best summed up by the graceful vocals of Maura and the proficient guitar playing of Pete. This included a combination of carefully selected covers and ...

One of the aims of the newly formed Americana Music Association UK body is to provide a nationwide focal point for the different participants in the industry. On the evidence of the performing artists on display at the second annual Palmfest in Brighton, there is no shortage of fine talent plying their trade on the circuit thus giving enormous credibility to this country’s ability to compare favourably with the high quality touring acts. This single day feast of Americana music is the fruition of the passion, endeavour and investment from the team at Brighthelmstone Promotions and they certainly delivered a slick continual stream of bands and solo performers that each put their own stamp on the varied styles of the genre. From the lone guitar of local singer-songwriter Tandy Hard opening the outside acoustic stage to the raucous roots rock of Danny and the Champs supplying a barnstorming finale some twelve hours later, a further twelve artists gave an exemplary performance of so...