Three Chords and the Truth UK

The only reason SHINE ON RAINY DAY didn’t feature high amongst my favourite albums of 2016 was that it didn’t shift off the ‘to get list’ until earlier this year. Now the bad deed of delayed listening has been rectified, not a single second is wasted when lapping up the song writing delights of Brent Cobb. The latest high of dissecting his extraordinary ability was viewing the stage show close up and the album was brought to an extra celestial life after this performance at the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham. From a presumed memory perspective, this was possibly a first foray into the English Midlands for dates. Expectation and anticipation had been growing though, represented by a fairly packed room in the venue and the added attraction of highly rated Canadian country folk singer Colter Wall as the opening act. Brent had already played dates at Brighton’s The Great Escape and London’s famed Borderline to expected praise and Birmingham’s Hare and Hounds can now be added to the glowi...

Maybe the hustle, bustle and clanking of glasses was missing, but you could quite easily have been in any roadhouse honky tonk in the Lone Star state such was the aura of Whitney Rose making her UK debut at The Maze in Nottingham. Clad in the multi-purpose hat, it didn’t take too long for Whitney and her cracking band to hit their stride. The result was a heart bending array of real deal country tunes raising the heat in a room that has seen more than its fair share of American music legends over the years. The only double take is to remember that Whitney is as Canadian as you come, albeit the Texas dust has rubbed in far more than skin deep. In a gig week where the domineering big vocalist ruled the roost in one show, this was very much a team effort from Whitney’s band led by some scintillating lead guitar work from Will Meadows. If Whitney supplied the three chords and the heartache, Will was spot on with the twang, almost rendering the missing pedal steel surplus to requirem...

Plush, slick and polished were not vocabulary that came to mind when Imelda May played the Robin 2 in Bilston around a decade ago. Of course prior to that there were the pub gigs in the area, although in subsequent years success and recognition headed her way as the mainstream were given a glimpse into the world of rockabilly. However artists evolve for a multitude of reasons, yet there is an inevitability that the stark comparisons are going to be made with Imelda May circa 2017 and her past. The lavish surroundings of the Birmingham’s Symphony Hall hosted Imelda on this latest excursion to the Second City on a date that will forever be a sad mark on the nation’s live music scene. Backed by a seven piece touring band, Imelda turned the focus on her new album, which along with the visual transformation is core to this transitional re-invention. LIFE LOVE FLESH BLOOD has attracted a diverse bunch of labels from Americana to alternative, but firmly resides in the adult contemporary ca...

There can be two ways to grasp an album. One to take the feeling it evokes at face level or on the other hand get your thinking caps on and explore its deep crevices. If you take the wise option to acquaint yourself with the new Luke Tuchscherer album, both approaches will reap dividends. The surface content of ALWAYS BE TRUE rips through a soundtrack of balanced roots rock taking its influence from country, Americana and the sound of the suburbs for those of a certain age. However this highly palatable presence is only the start of mining the true worth of a singer-songwriter equally adept at firing up the ballads alongside outright rockers. The background to Luke’s second solo release since his decision to predominately pursue a  route away from his band The Whybirds was a tie up with Clubhouse Records. Having a small prior understanding of both parties leads to a conclusion of this being a strong fit and its wider infrastructure should reap greater rewards. The crowdfundi...

The music of Justin Townes Earle is possibly not wholly designed to spread its wings and find an audience. It’s always been the reversal with keen eared listeners getting drawn to a sound which is almost chameleon-like across the roots spectrum. Pinning down the style often proves a futile exercise, but the results of half a dozen albums over the last ten years has presented a pretty impressive output of how to utilise one’s gifts. KIDS IN THE STREET is the latest effort from an artist where striking out from a pre-determined destiny may have proved a challenge. One certainty however is that Justin Townes Earle has managed to do just that, with the new record moving the marker along nicely. Listening to this record several times to compose some primary thoughts did generate a comfort zone impression. There is a serene relaxed feel to the dozen or so tracks with plenty of upbeat and positive vibes. To both contradict and back up this assertion, further delving revealed Justin ext...

If the term ‘project’ was ever warranted, now is the time to erase it. Three albums; a literary collaboration and countless shows are a testimony to the strength of My Darling Clementine as one of the UK’s leading country music exponents. Whether in full band mode or just a simple Lou and Michael duet, songs have flowed effortlessly. There is no easing off on the quality as STILL TESTIFYING is unleashed on a scene where real country music faces a battle to resist the watering down trend. While the theme has remained similar across the three albums, the new record sees a switch in sound with a move in a country soul direction. This is predominately a light approach rather than a full on dive into heavy soul, but the result is a winning formula that keeps the album fresh and resilient to a multitude of repeat listens. These plays have long outstripped any review purpose and the polished finesse of this record will ensure plenty more listens are yielded before any embers will die. ...

Chastity Brown first came to prominence with the release of her 2013 album BACK-ROAD HIGHWAYS which was met with critical acclaim on the basis of its inherent nature to conquer a multitude of sounds. The good news is that she’s back and in the same dominant form. While there was an impatient wait between the last album release and the inevitable UK dates, this time synchronisation is spot on. As soon as SILHOUETTE OF SIRENS hits the stores, Chastity embarks on a series of dates across the UK and Ireland giving folks an immediate chance to hear a bunch of songs in their purest form. While all the potential credentials of a successful mainstream artist are in place, perhaps it is Chastity’s distance from interference that ensures a totally personal imprint is stamped on her music. She undertakes all the writing duties on a solo basis and is also highly active in the production process. The result is an album of vast substance, deeply personal and sensitive in its mood-driving tende...

There’s a solid reliability that you are in for a fine good time when The Kennedys hit town. Pete and Maura have made the Kitchen Garden a regular stopping point when they hit European shores, being more than capable of luring a loyal following to their shows. To that extent, the duo from New York City decided to make this event an all request evening. However this was not some pre-meditated social media campaign, just Pete passing an A4 notepad round the room prior to the start then mulling over a raft of requested songs that more than filled a near two hour performance. At the end of the encore, which consisted of their old favourite ‘ Stand ’ and a usual fab four cover on this occasion ‘ A Day in the Life’ , hazy memory totted up well over 20 numbers spanning the breadth of The Kennedys’ lengthy career as a performing duo. As usual all the tunes had The Kennedys twin trademark trait of Maura’s supreme folk vocals and Pete’s sublime guitar playing. In fact the ease of which a...

Andrew Combs’ meticulous approach to song writing is reaping dividends. In fact his songs are akin to a sculptor etching each mark on their masterpiece. Over the course of the three albums to bear his name, a multitude of highly crafted songs have radiated in their full glory. Subsequently the UK and Europe has benefitted from numerous visits to promote these records, no doubt on the back of their release via Loose Music. The latest tour is in conjunction with the most recent of these as CANYONS OF MY MIND hit the discerning ear of a record buying public in April. Once more East Midlands based promoter Cosmic American re-instated their long association with Andrew and on this occasion arranged two shows in their twin bases of Birmingham and Nottingham. It was around two and a half years ago when the West Midlands last made the tour agenda. The first good news is that this renewal in the studio of The Glee Club doubled the turnout to that of the Hare and Hounds in 2014. To build on...