Three Chords and the Truth UK

Before you jump on an apparent punctuation error in the name, we are explicitly explained in the press release that the apostrophe omission is deliberate but that’s where the potential flaws end as Scowlin Owl unveil their excellent debut release to an audience waiting in high expectation. This four-piece all-female combo from London have been steadily building up momentum since their 2011 formation via hosting occasional live music nights, regular gigging and using social media to connect with a wider fan base. THESE STRANGE COMPANIONS is their first foray into the world of recorded music and this six track EP will immediately connect with those people who like to submerge their listening experience into a well of enchanting and mystical sophistication. The labels of folk, alt-country and Americana can be used to define the sound of Scowlin Owl but ultimately it’s their ability to give your mind a licence to wander which will entice you into a world of left field and non-conformi...

In this US segment of the new series, three diverse acts are selected for some positive extended scrutiny. Some may be well known, others out to establish themselves but all will have a relevant recent or upcoming record which warrants a feature. First up and representing the solo male singer-songwriter plying his trade on the Americana circuit is north-east US native Rod Picott. No stranger to many active enthusiasts on the UK circuit, Rod has just released his seventh solo studio album and repeat listens to HANG YOUR HOPES ON A CROOKED NAIL suggest the great storytelling knack that has served him well over the years is still in fine fettle. ' 65 Falcon ' is the song that makes the most impression but any Rod Picott listening experience to best undertaken by letting a complete album soak through your veins and digest each track on your own terms. www.rodpicott.com Texas singer songwriter Kimmie Rhodes is an institution among her peers and has earned the right to c...

If you are unaware of the talents of Ashleigh Flynn, it would be highly advisable to read on and spend a few minutes of your valuable time getting acquainted with her. I went through the same experience when her new album A MILLION STARS appeared in the inbox and the challenge is not to be hooked into a sound which embraces all that is good within the evolving Americana genre. For the record, this is Ashleigh’s fourth studio release and is a well-balanced album which sparkles with inspiration in a diverse style that is conducive to the roots of American music. Ashleigh has used her bluegrass Kentucky background and blended in a touch of jazz, blues, soul and rock to produce an entertaining and captivating bunch of songs true to the core of this often confusing genre to outsiders. With the help of The Decemberist’s instrumentalist Chris Funk as producer and a host of key contributors from the creative north-west Pacific hub of Portland, Oregon, Ashleigh has created a record that wi...

The talents of Kim Lowings were first discovered around six months ago when she played a supporting set for Jess Morgan at the very venue of this evening’s gig. In the interim period since that discovery, Kim has recorded a brand new EP to follow up her full length debut album THIS LIFE and her short set at the end of summer Moseley Folk Festival was captured in this site’s review of that event. However this show hosted by the Stourbridge Folk Club in the cellar bar of Stourbridge’s Katie Fitzgerald’s pub has long been planned as her flagship night to showcase the new release amongst a hometown gathering. The resultant packed room heralded the evening a complete success and her magical talent to interpret traditional music and seamlessly blend in original material was there for all those present to witness and thoroughly enjoy. Kim, a fervent advocator of young performers establishing themselves in the traditional music scene,  uses the collaborative status of her band known s...

Occasionally we are presented with a treasured moment when the various movers in the music industry put on an evening which includes two artists held in high esteem. So it was a great pleasure when the Kitchen Garden Café decided to host not one but two artists from the impressive BPA Live roster for one of its Wednesday evening gigs. There was sufficient diversity in the style, delivery and content of Amelia Curran and Otis Gibbs but one thing was for sure, those frequenting this lively, cosy cafe were being exposed to two of the finest singer-songwriters to cross the Atlantic and bring their own brand of North American folk music to the cream of UK listening venues. Technically Amelia adopted the opening role but was granted an extended slot that certainly had no feel of a support set. Hailing from the Canadian Maritime province of New Foundland, Amelia possesses an acclaimed back catalogue with her 20009 HUNTER HUNTER  album the proud owner of a Juno award (Canada’s answer ...

When the BBC decided to unleash some home grown artists on our transatlantic cousins at the recent Americana Music Festival in Nashville, they made a wise choice in enlisting the delightful talents of Emily Barker. While the term ‘home grown’ may do a little disservice to Emily’s proud Australian roots, she has very much cultivated her career here in the UK over the last decade. The resultant four evolving albums under the guise of Emily and her posse ‘The Red Clay Halo’ has seen her stock rise with increasing critical acclaim and their latest release DEAR RIVER is at the very heart of the extensive UK tour she is currently undertaking. Right from the outset at this Monday night Midlands gig, Emily hit her stride with an exceptional performance of the title track off the new record which in my opinion is unrivalled amongst, both this release and her entire back catalogue. The subtle vibes from her electric guitar gave the song a live vibrancy and signalled a more Americana feel to...

Occasionally you come across the utopian scenario when all the essential ingredients for a perfect gig are in place. For a roots artist there can be no finer environment than a rural setting, an opportunity to ditch all things electric and an appreciative audience ready to embrace the fruits of their talents. To witness such a happening is a precious experience and April Verch’s first visit to Cookley Village Hall in the North Worcestershire countryside was an evening to treasure as well as leaving a jaw–dropping mark on your musical senses. Of course it helps when the central figure is blessed with an amazing talent to play fiddle, step dance and deliver many beautiful songs in an informative and enthusiastic manner. This evening of wonderful music which swayed through the repertoire of North American roots music with a specific nod to bluegrass, western swing and old time Appalachian was delivered by an accomplished trio of April, Cody Walters and Hayes Griffin, all three with a...

Having come across a comment a while back that ‘old punks don’t die; they just turn to country’, it’s always interesting to relate Laura Cantrell with the championing she received a decade or so ago from the late John Peel. Amongst all the introspective dark indie guitar bands that followed the beacon of the late iconic DJ, the sessions the velvet voiced Laura recorded for him must have been like diamonds in a rich seam of gritty urban matter. The UK has been good to Laura over the years and this solid base of support has been rewarded with a full visit this year with one of the stopping off points being a well-attended evening in the main room of Birmingham’s Glee Club. With the exceptional guitar maestro, Mark Spencer, perfectly settled in as Laura’s on-stage side kick, the audience, containing plenty of devoted admirers, was not left disappointed instead many members were drooling over a 90 minute set of exquisite and magical pure country music. The new album being promoted by...

In this new series, three artists that represent the eclectic nature of the blog will have some positive coverage of their recent or upcoming release. These features are designed to widen the appeal of the acts and manage effectively the time constraints of running this blog. First up is a trio of UK artists headed by the raw and gutsy country blues of Cherry Lee Mewis. Her new EP titled CHERRY PICKIN' is a follow up to last year's full length album HEARD IT HERE FIRST and a collaboration with Max Milligan who gets joint credit on the album cover. Essentially the record is four main tracks supplemented by a pair of shorter contributions but the fairly brief 14 minute listening experience is over far too quickly thus leaving you yearning for an extra helping. Released on the Cherry Jam label, Cherry was comfortable to sit back and let the pen of Max take control over five of the six tracks, and having added her own spirited and dynamic vocals to the songs, was eager to share...

The moment the stars of the show strolled through the audience to take their place on the stage, you knew the years were about to be rolled back with the unveiling of phase 2 of the My Darling Clementine project. The retro theme may have decorated the larger of the two Hare and Hounds music rooms, both in visual and sound terms, but the presentation by Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish ensures a contemporary relevance is added to their harnessing and re-interpreting of a golden age in duet inspired country music. Twelve months on from gracing the very same venue with a helping to savour from their debut album, the duo assisted by a polished and experienced 5-piece band managed to raise the experience to a level likely to be unprecedented on the home grown circuit. My Darling Clementine have developed that bridging knack of taking what is a very traditional country sound and successfully reaching out to a wider country, roots and Americana audience. There is no need for pseudo ...

Danny and the Champions of the World Photo Courtesy of Sorin Russo On an evening when Fleetwood Mac turned back the years to please their legions of fans at a reunion gig at the nearby LG Arena, across the city a lower key gathering which was by no means any less electric, saw Danny and the Champions of the World give a Midlands launch of their new album to a loyal and passionate following. The acclaim and praise for the highly soulful STAY TRUE has poured in from the music intelligentsia far and wide. The five songs from the album Danny featured in this evening’s set brought the record to life and the oozing of its sheer emotion justified the lofty status of the appeal. Prior to Danny and his talented posse taking to the stage, the Hare and Hounds welcomed back The Dreaming Spires to ease through their style of alt-country/Americana with a bunch of tunes very much inspired by their New World adventures and admirably collated on their debut album BROTHERS IN BROOKLYN for a do...