Three Chords and the Truth UK

Never an artist to rest on her laurels, Jess Morgan has not been fazed by this latest short release being hot on the heels of last year’s album LANGA LANGA and firmly decided it was a right time to commit a number of new songs to a recorded format. So in between the end of a busy year and a new one beginning with a month long US trip, THE BOURNEMOUTH EP was born with an uncanny resemblance to what Jess was about to experience on this hop across the pond. This is by far the most Americana tinged set of songs grouped together by Jess who continues to grow her presence generally within the UK folk scene. Now, the choice is simple to purchase this collection, either get five tracks by ordering from the artist friendly platform Bandcamp or four from that universally available download store. The fifth or unreleased track is succinctly titled ‘ American Song (unreleased field recording) ’ and assumedly takes its influence from the trip where Jess called at New York and Nashville on ...

The hot potato style of Annabelle Chvostek leaps all over her new album as she well and truly parks the acoustic folk slant to one side to herald a dark and moody release. Fully creative and experimental in its serving, BE THE MEDIA twists, turns and snakes around with the empowered electric guitar driving the sound. This is far removed from the pure tones of the Wailin’ Jennys where Annabelle raised her profile nearly a decade ago, but perhaps more in tune with an explorative artist determined to plough the independent route. While being an album which warrants a few spins to grasp its mettle, listeners will detect aspects of old Annabelle alongside the new especially those in tune with her fiery passion for the protest song. Fans of her previous Juno nominated album RISE will quickly align with the two numbers providing an outlet for her anger. The title track ‘ Be the Media’ turns the heat up right from its prominent position of album opener and proceeds to be the dominant pi...

It was a case of interim Dennis Ellsworth as he punctuated a short UK visit to play a couple of shows which gave fans an update on his current situation. It also provided a timely reminder as to why he has garnered so much praise since the decision to export his talents was made. With a new album slated for release in September, Dennis took the option to reflect upon his whole career as songs from all tenses were dissected, analysed and primarily delivered in his genuine magnanimous style. Having previously seen Dennis play a storming late night full band festival set and open for Leeroy Stagger back in 2013, this was a far more revelatory opportunity to grasp him as a performer, songwriter and partially as a person, although the latter is tempered by the stage façade. He comes across as a stoical and sincere figure on stage, while his meticulous approach to write moving and passionate songs is a testament to an intelligent stance on the whole sphere of the inspiration to his art. ...

From a guy who doesn’t know the meaning of the word fake, but is most certainly blessed with a desired edge, the projectile career of Simon Stanley Ward takes a massive leap forward with the release of his self-titled debut full length album. Now no longer the sole domain of its multitude of presence-based activities in the South East of England, the music of Simon is now extended into many other listening arenas via a record rock solid with a genuine sound ratcheting up the twang barometer. There is also a tantalising yearning within a voice ripe with honesty which continually digs deep into the core of rock n’ roll infused country music. While this album is no homage to the rhetoric of alt-country rock, there is a definite alternative twist to the ten tracks that circle your senses with an intriguing motion prior to landing right on their intended spot. Right from a curious opener which succeeds in immediately raising your eyebrows, its arousal tendencies take a while to sink ...

For those buying into the concept of absence makes the heart grow fonder, the fact that Slaid Cleaves unintentionally missed Birmingham off his previous touring schedule may have been a blessing in disguise. Slaid has always been well supported at the Kitchen Garden Café and for his triumphant return the house full sign was almost being dusted down. On an upgrade from his previous Birmingham dates, Slaid was this time accompanied by his sidekick Scrappy Jud Newcomb and together they reeled off a continual chain of popular tunes, well received by many long term fans populating the audience. Right from the opening chords of ‘ Horseshoe Lounge ’ to a poignant unplugged tribute to the late Ian MacLagan over two hours later, there was a distinctive Texas flavour from an honorary Texan now fully steeped in the Lone Star State’s poetic culture. With no apparent set list visible it didn’t take long for the requests to kick in and probably nearly a third of the set were audience shout o...

Taste of traditional, primed in the present and locked in for the long term are three phrases that perfectly sum up the current career status of Kim Lowings and Lucy Ward. Of course the light of Lucy has shone a little brighter in wider circles, but they came together as kindred spirits to share the spotlight in the second instalment of the 2015 Stourbridge Folk Festival. Splendidly described by Lucy as a ‘bunker’, the cellar bar at Katie Fitzgerald’s pub in Stourbridge hosted this memorable evening which was sprinkled with the gold dust of song, sound, prose and passion.  Local artist Kim dutifully and gracefully opened for the Derbyshire based guest as Lucy was afforded a couple of sets to spice up a serene start to the show. Not that Lucy refrains from her more composed moments, but the feisty side of an exuberant persona ignites the flame to illuminate her craft, art and message. The handover between artists was a precise piece of cultural exchange as Kim hit her vocal str...

For every indifferent country music release filing out of Nashville, it doesn’t take too much searching to find a golden nugget elsewhere truly subservient to the heritage and prestige of the genre. California has frequently been a hotbed for country music, often in a revisionist capacity. Whether within the urban confines of LA or the less refined surroundings of Bakersfield, the Golden State possess a fine pedigree and this latest project under the banner of California Roots Union is a further leap in the right direction. Grant Langston has long been associated with the far west community despite being raised a true southerner and has successfully captured the melting pot of his influences in a recording career well into its second decade. HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY NOW is a slight diversion from his recent releases in overall style, but matches up exceedingly well in the quality stamp of authenticity. Whereas two of his previous records, STAND UP MAN (2009) and WORKING UNTIL I DIE (2012...

Following a false start towards the end of last year, a West Midlands audience finally got the opportunity for find out what Police Dog Hogan are all about. Folks in the South of England and various other locations dotted around the country already knew that they are one of the hottest live bands on the UK roots circuit, so it was a case of getting up to speed. A highly credible turnout at the Hare and Hounds for a new band in town saw this multi-instrumental  assembly firing on all cylinders and fully eager to ride the waves generated by the band’s all-consuming rousing stage performance. This was Police Dog Hogan doing what comes natural and deliver a totally authentic high octane entertaining performance. It has been around six or seven months since the band released their third full length album and many of the songs are quickly becoming embedded favourites in the set list. This is hardly surprising for a record richly populated with tunes reflecting their live presence....

Apart from housing some very special UK music talent, indie label Clubhouse Records have an intuitive knack of exposing seriously good North American acts to refined markets this side of the pond. On the back of Leeroy Stagger a couple of years ago and more recently Cale Tyson, next up on the Clubhouse delivery wagon is the strikingly named Don Gallardo from Nashville, Tennessee. This cool and chilled singer-songwriter is beginning to gather momentum in the UK with national radio airplay and his new album HICKORY will resonate with connoisseurs who thrive on a subtle mix of classic and contemporary. The rise of Americana as a recognised genre is a media coat hanger for artists like Don, so that their talents can be displayed prominently in the shop window. Purchasing the smooth and slick sound of Don Gallardo will be one of your best value bargains of the year. HICKORY is Don’s fourth full length release, but no doubt for many folks in the UK a first listen to his material. Howe...

Alabama Shakes are a band who explicitly display their roots and proudly take a slice of the Deep South with them wherever they play in the world. Tonight they may have traded the urban namesakes between their home state and the English Midlands, but there was an unmistakable aura of southern lore around the venue. The challenge is certainly on to find a finer rock n’ soul band on this planet especially one that has successfully permeated the UK mainstream. You could quite easily supplant the name Brittany Howard into the band’s title such is the dominant and imposing presence of a front person blessed with a spiritualist talent to deliver the most authentic soul and gospel you are likely to hear in a rock arena. Following a flying visit to the UK, mainly for press purposes, earlier in the year, Alabama Shakes in their eight piece format are now rolling out a series of provincial dates to support their new album SOUND & COLOR, which has already sold in considerable numbers. A few...

The term crossover can have a multitude of musical connotations, but when the two styles are folk and Americana the results are often quite positive especially when quality artists are at the helm of the execution. Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin have their roots firmly planted in the UK folk scene and possess a talent recognised by numerous national and regional awarding bodies, most notably BBC Radio 2. Their live shows never fail to impress and always unveil a heady mixture of pulsating musicianship and beautiful delicate song. This third appearance at the Kitchen Garden Café was business as usual for the duo who breezed their way through a pair of alluring sets. Whether on Dobro, harmonica, stomp box or beat box, Phillip is an intriguing and original musician capable of holding the audience’s attention for lengthy periods. He orchestrates the harmonica with extraordinary effect leaving many in awe. The solo performance of ‘ Underground Railroad’ is Phillip’s ace in the pack...

Turid Jorgensen Wholly egalitarian, mildly eccentric, fully fervent and alt with a capital ‘A’, are perfect slogans for describing the live version of Katzenjammer. On this opening gig of a latest attempt to breach the UK market, these four highly talented ladies, morphing into one of Norway’s finest musical exports, gave a timely reminder as to why they have been tearing up mainland European venues for a while now. With an extraordinary display of interchangeable musicianship, Marianne, Turid, Solveig and Anne Marit flit across every shade of the roots spectrum in genre defying proportions. A packed Rescue Rooms in the heart of Nottingham city centre was in a frivolous Friday night party mood to dance, sing and clap along to a lengthy set exceeding an hour and a half, which is above par for a curfew restrictive weekend venue. Many came to marvel and were well and truly exhilarated by this energetic Katzenjammer performance. Anne Marit Bergheim The eclecticism was shee...

Cale Tyson Call the bets off and close the book as the rising star in country music stakes now has a clear winner. With a striking posture, stunning poise and a voice soaked in country tradition, Cale Tyson breathes life into the corpse of the modernistic genre stance, to relight the flame of cosmic Americana. On a simpler scale he is just a happy go lucky guy, extremely talented, incredibly humble and intuitive to a sound which ricochets around every aspect of sense and emotion. The guys from Clubhouse Records have mined the Nashville scene with exquisite taste to uncover this gem and the delivery of both his music and live presence to UK audiences is rapidly evolving into one of the highlights of 2015. Pete Lindberg Cale’s inaugural trip to our shores was winding down when he called into Leicester’s distinguished roots venue to remind the chosen few that the world is a more beautiful place if you dig a little deeper. Teaming up with his sidekick Pete Lindberg on lead gui...

Like a summer breeze ushering the winter blues out the door, a brand new album by Canadian duo Leaf Rapids hits the airwaves this spring to present a delightful awakening experience. Inspired by the remoteness and eccentricity of the northern Manitoban town of the same name, this new project by husband and wife team, Keri and Devin Latimer, is organic in its evolution, roots in its stance and experimental in the finished product. Quite simply LUCKY STARS is decorated with all the essential ingredients of a record destined to make a longstanding impact. Keri appears to be the mover and shaker on the record, applying her soft velvet, though versatile in places, vocals to all twelve tracks, being the lyrical architect of the ten originals and generally fronting the band. However Keri is more than indebted to her bass playing husband, Devin, and an incisive production input from a Canadian music playing colleague in Steve Dawson who steered the record to its recording conclusion in ...

For a slice of country music in the shade then why not indulge yourself in the twang filled noir that forms this debut album by The Whiskey Charmers from Detroit, Michigan. UK folks who enjoyed The Delines on their sorties over here last year will find merit, albeit on a less soulful scale. More similarities will lean towards Chris Isaak and The Handsome Family but more importantly The Whiskey Charmers strive to put their own mark on the sound and they have certainly done it well on this excellent inaugural release.   The duo of Carrie Shepard and Lawrence Daversa guide the band’s direction which leaves a trail of impurity free groove in its wake. Catch yourself in the headlights of their enticing tunes and total absorption is impossible to avoid. Whether it’s the glorious sultry vocals of Carrie snaking around the hazy songs that ache with magnetic appeal, or Lawrence’s driving lead guitar decorating each track, this album runs on a full tank throughout its 38 minute journe...

Maybe it’s symbolised on the front cover of this album, but the enormous depth of perceptive song writing vision portrays Danny Schmidt’s latest record as a lyrical jewel among a deluge of likeminded releases. One can only marvel at the immense substance of OWLS, which in tandem with the relaxing mood of its soothing tone heralds an ultra-literate record spearheaded with the power of words. The choice to bury your head into the lyrical whirlpool or let the satisfying melodic tide wash over you entirely lies with the listener and each is of desirable equal merit. However the former unveils some fantastic song structures which are even more profound to the eye than to the ear. Danny is a longstanding visitor to the UK and follows a lengthy line of Austin troubadours to seek inspiration within the dusty Texan capital before spreading the wares far and wide. This dignified record is Danny’s seventh studio release and is set to be the focal point of his next UK trip in the autumn, th...