Thursday, 20 December 2018
Top 20 Favourite Albums of 2018
Favourite or best? You should know now what the preferred term is here. Only a small fraction of wonderful albums released each year get to tempt your ear, so rather than fret over the ones that haven't landed yet or didn't quite hit the mark first time, why not celebrate those that played an important part in framing the personal soundtrack of 2018. These twenty records, not forgetting the equal number that could easily have added on any given day, made a profound impact that lasted long after first listen and bubbled with a festive fizz as each was revisited in December. The reasoning behind each inclusion is often impossible to pinpoint. Time, place, mood, feeling, association and circumstance play as key part as any technical verdict. Ultimately, they stirred an emotion that is unique in music and will remain a part as long as sound is enjoyed in this sonic form. If you're still with me, and not not averse to the odd list, welcome to my world of indulgence and the unveiling of those records that stayed the distance this year.
1 Brandi Carlile- By The Way, I Forgive You
"Carlile and the Hanseroth twins were in imperious form on this latest release blending passion, verve and songwriting brilliance into a set of songs that moved, shook and reflected the true spirit of roots music in a classic contemporary frame."
2 Courtney Marie Andrews - May Your Kindness Remain
3 First Aid Kit - Ruins
"The Soderberg sisters ramped up the stage, sound and platform for their most lavish assault on the music world to date and absolutely pulled it off without compromise. Whatever the coating, heartfelt folk music flourishes underneath."
4 Ashley McBryde - Girl Going Nowhere
"A record which funnels the listener straight into its strengths, and there are plenty. Ashley McBryde has created a mightily impressive album that endorses the apparent momentum being built. Where it leads her who knows, but being on board is a ticket not to be missed."
5 Skerryvore - Skerryvore
"Music plays an important part in marking out the past. While Skerryvore scratches out the numbers 2-0-1-8 in the sand, it evokes memories of earlier years when sound became the catalyst for recalling an era"
6 Pistol Annies - Interstate Gospel
"Lambert, Presley and Monroe ride the crest of the wave of their solo success with a collaboration for this and any other age. Tackling subjects the mainstream shies away from saw this album score highly on many fronts including the main one of providing a damn good entertaining listen."
7 Letitia VanSant - Gut it to the Studs
"2016 delivered Carter Sampson and 2017 did likewise for Caroline Spence. Odds are quickly shortening that 2018 is the year that Letitia VanSant blossoms out of leftfield indie Americana to become a firm favourite on the back of a superlative album release."
8 Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
"The year's slow burner for some, but this and the direction Musgraves gently swayed towards in her recording career made a comforting place for those willing to wait before jumping in. Genre will long be debated, although this album temporary shelved such discussion with its neutral yet magical feel."
9 Bennett Wilson Poole - Bennett Wilson Poole
"Rampant guitars, wispy harmonies and luxurious tunes combine to place the record in the set position pending the proverbial smash. Wholesomely British and vividly retrospective, the forty-eight minutes parade in a flash with little effect of strain, but plenty of endless uncomplicated ease."
10 American Aquarium - Things Change
"Members may come and go, but the spirit of American Aquarium will always embody the soul of BJ Barham. Matching both the deep sentiment of folk 'n' country and the rawness of roots rock 'n' roll fed into the tracks of Things Change that left the most embedded of marks".
11 Caleb Caudle - Crushed Coins
"Caleb Caudle may have been dealt a handful of aces, but he has chosen an opportune moment to play them in the shape of a fabulous new album. CRUSHED COINS scores high on a number of fronts, even to the extent of the ironed out imperfections suggesting not all great albums need an edge of vulnerability."
12 Jamie Lin Wilson - Jumping Over Rocks
"The authenticity and real deal nature of JUMPING OVER ROCKS makes it an album to celebrate as much as one to deliver endless listens."
"the time is ripe to share the love for a record spiralling deep into the ethos of this blog’s title."
13 Mary Gauthier - Rifles & Rosary Beads
"Gauthier digs deep into her whole expression and presentation repertoire to produce a career body of work; successful at leaving the listener suitably informed and visibly moved."
14 Gretchen Peters - Dancing with the Beast
"The most important thing about a new release is that it is just the start of a cycle. In essence, DANCING WITH THE BEAST will be effectively born on May 18th, with several years of burgeoning appreciation set to follow."
15 Carter Sampson - Lucky
"LUCKY will be around for a long time and is well on the way towards matching the heights of WILDER SIDE. This is captivating music capable of shifting through a pile of mixed emotions to find the primal point. "
16 Bob Collum and the Welfare Mothers - Pay Pack and Carry
"Ultimately, Bob Collum, and whoever nestles comfortably within the Welfare Mother family, makes music that sinks deep into your psyche and retains an instinct to refuse to budge from your immediate horizon. In other words, the challenge is to let a satisfactory smile leave your face when this album gets its umpteenth play."
17 Laura Benitez & the Heartache - With All Its Thorns
"WITH ALL ITS THORNS has put down a marker for an early instrumental delight of the year with lashings of luscious pedal steel sparring with border-inspired accordion, piercing your ear amongst a host of memorable tunes. Easy listening, maybe; absolutely adorable listening, certainly."
18 JP Harris - Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing
"JP Harris makes country music as was meant to be. Oh and there is plenty of essential pedal steel. SOMETIMES DOGS BARK AT NOTHING knows what it is about and powerfully presents a slice of music that retains a gilded status."
19 Emma Jane - Treasures
"Deeply personal and sourced from a ripped open heart makes the sort of music that resonates well here. Emma Jane has succeeded on multiple levels in making a record diverse in sound yet consistent in quality."
20 Lori McKenna - The Tree
"A highly crafted songwriter who has her finger on the pulse of the simple homespun ideas and attitudes. Saving some of her best songs for carefully curated solo albums continues to cement McKenna as a premium performer forging a path to hall of fame status in circles of esteemed peers and fans with an acute ear."
Seasons greetings and raise a glass to new music that will touch us in the future.
"Carlile and the Hanseroth twins were in imperious form on this latest release blending passion, verve and songwriting brilliance into a set of songs that moved, shook and reflected the true spirit of roots music in a classic contemporary frame."
"Delicately sung and immaculately presented, Courtney Marie Andrews is the architect of a record that should act as a country/folk blueprint in 2018. A journey, a journal, a lesson, this album is a classic."
"The Soderberg sisters ramped up the stage, sound and platform for their most lavish assault on the music world to date and absolutely pulled it off without compromise. Whatever the coating, heartfelt folk music flourishes underneath."
"A record which funnels the listener straight into its strengths, and there are plenty. Ashley McBryde has created a mightily impressive album that endorses the apparent momentum being built. Where it leads her who knows, but being on board is a ticket not to be missed."
"Music plays an important part in marking out the past. While Skerryvore scratches out the numbers 2-0-1-8 in the sand, it evokes memories of earlier years when sound became the catalyst for recalling an era"
"Lambert, Presley and Monroe ride the crest of the wave of their solo success with a collaboration for this and any other age. Tackling subjects the mainstream shies away from saw this album score highly on many fronts including the main one of providing a damn good entertaining listen."
"2016 delivered Carter Sampson and 2017 did likewise for Caroline Spence. Odds are quickly shortening that 2018 is the year that Letitia VanSant blossoms out of leftfield indie Americana to become a firm favourite on the back of a superlative album release."
"The year's slow burner for some, but this and the direction Musgraves gently swayed towards in her recording career made a comforting place for those willing to wait before jumping in. Genre will long be debated, although this album temporary shelved such discussion with its neutral yet magical feel."
"Rampant guitars, wispy harmonies and luxurious tunes combine to place the record in the set position pending the proverbial smash. Wholesomely British and vividly retrospective, the forty-eight minutes parade in a flash with little effect of strain, but plenty of endless uncomplicated ease."
"Members may come and go, but the spirit of American Aquarium will always embody the soul of BJ Barham. Matching both the deep sentiment of folk 'n' country and the rawness of roots rock 'n' roll fed into the tracks of Things Change that left the most embedded of marks".
"Caleb Caudle may have been dealt a handful of aces, but he has chosen an opportune moment to play them in the shape of a fabulous new album. CRUSHED COINS scores high on a number of fronts, even to the extent of the ironed out imperfections suggesting not all great albums need an edge of vulnerability."
"The authenticity and real deal nature of JUMPING OVER ROCKS makes it an album to celebrate as much as one to deliver endless listens."
"the time is ripe to share the love for a record spiralling deep into the ethos of this blog’s title."
"Gauthier digs deep into her whole expression and presentation repertoire to produce a career body of work; successful at leaving the listener suitably informed and visibly moved."
"The most important thing about a new release is that it is just the start of a cycle. In essence, DANCING WITH THE BEAST will be effectively born on May 18th, with several years of burgeoning appreciation set to follow."
"LUCKY will be around for a long time and is well on the way towards matching the heights of WILDER SIDE. This is captivating music capable of shifting through a pile of mixed emotions to find the primal point. "
16 Bob Collum and the Welfare Mothers - Pay Pack and Carry
"Ultimately, Bob Collum, and whoever nestles comfortably within the Welfare Mother family, makes music that sinks deep into your psyche and retains an instinct to refuse to budge from your immediate horizon. In other words, the challenge is to let a satisfactory smile leave your face when this album gets its umpteenth play."
"WITH ALL ITS THORNS has put down a marker for an early instrumental delight of the year with lashings of luscious pedal steel sparring with border-inspired accordion, piercing your ear amongst a host of memorable tunes. Easy listening, maybe; absolutely adorable listening, certainly."
"JP Harris makes country music as was meant to be. Oh and there is plenty of essential pedal steel. SOMETIMES DOGS BARK AT NOTHING knows what it is about and powerfully presents a slice of music that retains a gilded status."
"Deeply personal and sourced from a ripped open heart makes the sort of music that resonates well here. Emma Jane has succeeded on multiple levels in making a record diverse in sound yet consistent in quality."
"A highly crafted songwriter who has her finger on the pulse of the simple homespun ideas and attitudes. Saving some of her best songs for carefully curated solo albums continues to cement McKenna as a premium performer forging a path to hall of fame status in circles of esteemed peers and fans with an acute ear."
Seasons greetings and raise a glass to new music that will touch us in the future.
Top 20 Favourite Gigs of 2018
Here goes, for the seventh successive year this blog indulges in celebrating the live music shows which have resonated the most over the last twelve months. In time honoured tradition, kudos is given to those stalwarts of the gig scene whose intrepid numbers tower above mine and continue to be the life blood for any artist who crosses the line into a professional performance. The debate whether art should be quantified into lists continues to rage, but as somebody who resides firmly in the objective camp there is no holding back on the seasonal task of reflecting fondly. So with a short drum roll, here are the gigs that possessed a touch of magical appeal to live long in the memory:
1 American Aquarium - Night and Day Cafe, Manchester
"Probably best summing up American Aquarium is that they start out full of country sentiment before finding the fault lines of rock ‘n’ roll, not a bad place to be though. A wonderful fulfilling gig from an awesome band sums the night up perfectly. "
2 Courtney Marie Andrews - St.Barnabas Church, Oxford (December)
"Courtney had little trouble finding the notes that give her vocals an air of supremacy. Aided by a crisp clear sound system and the obligatory pin-drop audience environment, everything that makes Courtney Marie Andrews an exceptional performing singer-songwriter was in place."
3 Kacey Musgraves - O2 Academy, Birmingham
"This performance upon a return to the only Birmingham that really counts was absolutely adorable and a major advert for the magnetic attraction of top quality live music from an artist who clearly matters."
4 Carter Sampson - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham
"The most engaging of voices adorns an impressively curated arsenal of song selection. The rich texture of a vocal honed in the land where the South spills into the West possesses the capability to melt the heart of a listener, made even more effective in the confines of the acoustically perfected Kitchen Garden."
5 Steve Earle and the Dukes - O2 Institute, Birmingham
"This evening specifically, and in general the recent shows by Steve Earle and the Dukes are vivid reminders to what a great folk ‘n’ country, rock ‘n’ roll band they are and what a fantastic song writer Steve Earle is. Grab these moments while you can. The legends tag is still intact and yes… there is still unfinished business."
6 First Aid Kit - O2 Academy, Birmingham
"Just to name three from this set to absolutely pierce your heart were the stunning ‘Stay Gold’, ‘Emmylou’ and ‘Fireworks’. You will have to step up the gig count to hear such an esteemed trio dealt so crisply and evocatively to an audience hanging onto every line, note and vocal breath."
7 Kelly Willis - Maze, Nottingham
"Strolling onto the stage at 9 o’clock, it did not take Kelly long to hit her stride and slip into an effortless zone of a cultured artist perfectly equipped to deal the cut glass country song."
"A worthy candidate for gig of the year, even as we just pass the half way point."
8 My Darling Clementine - The Rep, Birmingham
"Where Lou and Michael eventually take this project, who knows? What is important is that someone carries on the mantle of projecting an iconic style and who better than My Darling Clementine to keep turning on the creative tap. Nights like these make it all worthwhile."
9 The Lone Bellow - Band on the Wall, Manchester
"The Lone Bellow did not disappoint and like so many nights when top quality Americana rock bands grace us with their presence, dissatisfied customers were as scarce as the proverbial… You get the drift; it was a damn good night of live music."
10 Mary Gauthier - The Glee Club, Nottingham
"This powerful piece of singer-songwriter theatre proved all-consuming and unleashed the infinite potential of where song can take you. The fervent anti-war protestor, and thorn in the side of the perpetrators, still exists alongside a purveyor of focussing on the humanist angle of a tragic state of affairs."
11 Eilen Jewell - Biddulph Town Hall, Staffs
"...fully blessed that the chance to finally see Eilen Jewell play live had been grasped, and this gig-going adventure become a little richer.If Emmylou coined the phrase ‘Boulder to Birmingham’, then why not evoke the alliteration ‘Boise to Biddulph’. Deepest Idaho and the Potteries interwove this evening."
12 Jamie Wyatt + Beth Bombara - Tingewick Village Hall, Bucks
"Whether we call it country, Americana, folk rock or singer-songwriter, artists such as Jaime Wyatt and Beth Bombara are probably more important to its vibrant future than browsing your High Street music store for Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. Let them into your musical sphere either through their records or through seeing the live show and substantial rewards will freely flow. "
13 Hayes Carll - Maze, Nottingham
"It is now a decade since Hayes strolled onto the Glee Club stage in Birmingham to the glorious tone of ‘Beaumont’ for the perfect introduction."
"The replication of this Nottingham renewal is certainly a desired legacy. In this multi accessible digital age, nothing could surpass the frozen moment of being there. It was an honour and a privilege to be present."
14 Bennett Wilson Poole - St. George's Hall, Bewdley
"Although it may be considered a side project in some respects, this set up is likely to take up much of the year and keep all concerned busy. The blistering performance delivered tonight proved ample evidence that no effort is wasted in making it a wholesale success. "
15 Gretchen Peters - Town Hall, Birmingham
"The immaculate surroundings of Birmingham Town Hall and the music of Gretchen Peters are the perfect fit. A hushed environment absorbed every word from the most meaningful array of songs you are likely to hear in a single set. This was Gretchen Peters in absolute control, cashing in on a lifetime of experience, association and striving to pen the momentous song."
16 Pokey LaFarge - O2 Institute, Birmingham
"Winners were all round though: a band having a ball of a time; an audience grasping a rare opportunity to see a true American roots band in full glory and maybe just a city showing that it can come to the fore with supporting this type of music."
17 Caroline Spence - Thimblemill Library, Smethwick
"Caroline Spence may have been 4,000 miles from her Nashville home, and on an inaugural overseas tour, but she settled into the surroundings without hesitation and went on to deliver a sublime performance of songs soaked to the core with southern sentiment. Any doubts that the promise of SPADES & ROSES would not live up to its billing drifted away into a cold Midlands night, suitably insulated by the warmth of the performance."
18 Don Gallardo + Hannah Aldridge - John Moore Foundation, Appleby Magna
"Thinking outside the box may be driven by survival but it leads to the most wonderful of musical experiences for fans offering a lifeline to live music. Hannah Aldridge and Don Gallardo feed off this. Those heading to Appleby Magna on a wet and blustery Good Friday evening had the perfect holiday feast."
19 Kim Richey and Ben Glover - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham
"Moments were also precious when each artist gave the other total space to deliver the immaculate individualistic song. ‘Kindness’ saw Ben conjure up some idealistic romanticism and perhaps set an agenda for many to follow. ‘A Place Called Home’ projected Kim Richey at her finest and possibly own the show’s Champagne three minutes."
20 Lucy Ward - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham
"The work of Lucy Ward continues to make her one of the most engaging and rewarding performers on the UK folk circuit. Tuning in is required, but art is far more satisfying and long lasting when the listener has to invest a little. Long may the fire burn in her songs..."
See you on the gig circuit in 2019
"Probably best summing up American Aquarium is that they start out full of country sentiment before finding the fault lines of rock ‘n’ roll, not a bad place to be though. A wonderful fulfilling gig from an awesome band sums the night up perfectly. "
"Courtney had little trouble finding the notes that give her vocals an air of supremacy. Aided by a crisp clear sound system and the obligatory pin-drop audience environment, everything that makes Courtney Marie Andrews an exceptional performing singer-songwriter was in place."
"This performance upon a return to the only Birmingham that really counts was absolutely adorable and a major advert for the magnetic attraction of top quality live music from an artist who clearly matters."
"The most engaging of voices adorns an impressively curated arsenal of song selection. The rich texture of a vocal honed in the land where the South spills into the West possesses the capability to melt the heart of a listener, made even more effective in the confines of the acoustically perfected Kitchen Garden."
"This evening specifically, and in general the recent shows by Steve Earle and the Dukes are vivid reminders to what a great folk ‘n’ country, rock ‘n’ roll band they are and what a fantastic song writer Steve Earle is. Grab these moments while you can. The legends tag is still intact and yes… there is still unfinished business."
"Just to name three from this set to absolutely pierce your heart were the stunning ‘Stay Gold’, ‘Emmylou’ and ‘Fireworks’. You will have to step up the gig count to hear such an esteemed trio dealt so crisply and evocatively to an audience hanging onto every line, note and vocal breath."
"Strolling onto the stage at 9 o’clock, it did not take Kelly long to hit her stride and slip into an effortless zone of a cultured artist perfectly equipped to deal the cut glass country song."
"A worthy candidate for gig of the year, even as we just pass the half way point."
"Where Lou and Michael eventually take this project, who knows? What is important is that someone carries on the mantle of projecting an iconic style and who better than My Darling Clementine to keep turning on the creative tap. Nights like these make it all worthwhile."
"The Lone Bellow did not disappoint and like so many nights when top quality Americana rock bands grace us with their presence, dissatisfied customers were as scarce as the proverbial… You get the drift; it was a damn good night of live music."
"This powerful piece of singer-songwriter theatre proved all-consuming and unleashed the infinite potential of where song can take you. The fervent anti-war protestor, and thorn in the side of the perpetrators, still exists alongside a purveyor of focussing on the humanist angle of a tragic state of affairs."
"...fully blessed that the chance to finally see Eilen Jewell play live had been grasped, and this gig-going adventure become a little richer.If Emmylou coined the phrase ‘Boulder to Birmingham’, then why not evoke the alliteration ‘Boise to Biddulph’. Deepest Idaho and the Potteries interwove this evening."
"Whether we call it country, Americana, folk rock or singer-songwriter, artists such as Jaime Wyatt and Beth Bombara are probably more important to its vibrant future than browsing your High Street music store for Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. Let them into your musical sphere either through their records or through seeing the live show and substantial rewards will freely flow. "
"It is now a decade since Hayes strolled onto the Glee Club stage in Birmingham to the glorious tone of ‘Beaumont’ for the perfect introduction."
"The replication of this Nottingham renewal is certainly a desired legacy. In this multi accessible digital age, nothing could surpass the frozen moment of being there. It was an honour and a privilege to be present."
"Although it may be considered a side project in some respects, this set up is likely to take up much of the year and keep all concerned busy. The blistering performance delivered tonight proved ample evidence that no effort is wasted in making it a wholesale success. "
"The immaculate surroundings of Birmingham Town Hall and the music of Gretchen Peters are the perfect fit. A hushed environment absorbed every word from the most meaningful array of songs you are likely to hear in a single set. This was Gretchen Peters in absolute control, cashing in on a lifetime of experience, association and striving to pen the momentous song."
"Winners were all round though: a band having a ball of a time; an audience grasping a rare opportunity to see a true American roots band in full glory and maybe just a city showing that it can come to the fore with supporting this type of music."
"Caroline Spence may have been 4,000 miles from her Nashville home, and on an inaugural overseas tour, but she settled into the surroundings without hesitation and went on to deliver a sublime performance of songs soaked to the core with southern sentiment. Any doubts that the promise of SPADES & ROSES would not live up to its billing drifted away into a cold Midlands night, suitably insulated by the warmth of the performance."
"Thinking outside the box may be driven by survival but it leads to the most wonderful of musical experiences for fans offering a lifeline to live music. Hannah Aldridge and Don Gallardo feed off this. Those heading to Appleby Magna on a wet and blustery Good Friday evening had the perfect holiday feast."
"Moments were also precious when each artist gave the other total space to deliver the immaculate individualistic song. ‘Kindness’ saw Ben conjure up some idealistic romanticism and perhaps set an agenda for many to follow. ‘A Place Called Home’ projected Kim Richey at her finest and possibly own the show’s Champagne three minutes."
"The work of Lucy Ward continues to make her one of the most engaging and rewarding performers on the UK folk circuit. Tuning in is required, but art is far more satisfying and long lasting when the listener has to invest a little. Long may the fire burn in her songs..."
See you on the gig circuit in 2019
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
GIG REVIEW: O'Hooley and Tidow - Kitchen Garden, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Tuesday 18th December 2018
Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow are a successful and
popular duo on the folk circuit, accruing multi-layers of acclaim, whilst
rarely failing to entertain an audience. The vocal blend, honing in on
individual skills and possessing a keen ear to the borrowed and self-composed
song has fermented their stage presence to the extent of adapting to a variety
of live formats. This evening’s setting in the intimate surroundings of Kings
Heath’s premier listening venue fell into the duo’s lap, though they did
provide their own sound set up that gave the sonic environment a richer
texture.
This latest run of O’Hooley and Tidow dates is billed as
their Winterfolk Tour, aligned to the album of the same name released last year.
Thus a seasonal theme threaded through the brace of sets that the pair played
to a near full house.
Despite festive tracks like the familiar ‘River’ and ‘Fairytale of New York’ to close the evening (both standards given
a personal twist) and picks off their WINTERFOLK , VOL 1 record such as ‘One More Xmas’ (possibly the song of the
night) and ‘The Last Polar Bear’, the
soundtrack forayed into many other subjects that have inspired the duo’s song
choice.
Therefore jolly singalongs in ‘Gentleman Jack’ (based on the infamous 19th century
diarist Anne Lister) and ‘Summat’s
Brewin’ (celebrating the triumph of the small in a real ale context) kept
the tempo up as the pair switched between piano, accordion, guitar and both, on
and off mic. Throw in an instrumental piano solo from Belinda and a poetry
reading from Heidi, and you can increasingly visualise the artistic diversity
that flowed.
When seeking the most moving moment of the show, you needed
to look no further than ‘Whitethorn’,
with its homage to Ireland’s lost rural children, blending into Heidi’s German
version of ‘Stille Nacht’, followed
by an opportunity for us all to join in on the English translation. Wonderful
music theatre.
Outside of these main points, many concurred with Heidi’s
political outpouring on food banks, austerity and LGBT rights We were all a
little more informed of the duo’s proud Huddersfield heritage (or at least
present home). Other songs to grace this stirring evening were versions of
Richard Thompson’s ‘We Sing Hallelujah’
and Louden Wainwright III’s ‘White Winos’
, along with other O’Hooley and Tidow recorded songs like ‘Fire and Wine’, ‘Wexford
Lullaby’ and ‘Little Boy Blue’.
At the end of a year where so much music has been explored
from countries like Canada, America, Sweden and Australia to name a few, it is
sometimes warm and reassuring to savour some home comforts as we head into a
few weeks break from the live music circuit. Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow
gracefully saw the year out and will be more than welcome again to share their
engaging and rather splendid take on the wide and eclectic world of folk music.
Sunday, 16 December 2018
GIG REVIEW: Courtney Marie Andrews - St.Barnabas Church, Oxford. Saturday 15th December 2018
Four UK
visits, three gigs attended and a classic album played a ludicrous amount of
times. There is no dissent here in anointing Courtney Marie Andrews as ‘Artist
of 2018’. It remains revealing whether she grabs the album and the gig
accolades, but there is serious candidacy in her efforts on both fronts. This second
visit to St. Barnabas Church in Oxford took a twisted path, which ultimately
presented an enticing opportunity. Just over a week ago, Courtney
valiantly fought off afflictions to meet her Union Chapel engagement, but in
the midst of an illness: Birmingham, Oxford and Bristol moved into cancelled or
postponed status. Sadly, the
former could not find an alternative date, but the latter two had re-scheduled events
with Oxford conveniently staged on a Saturday, thus making it more accessible for
those making the journey down the M40 from the West Midlands.There is consensus from loyalists that solo and full band Courtney Marie Andrews’ shows are of equal merit. Having seen both this year, one conclusion drawn is you do not miss the band when she operates in solo mode. Rising to the occasion of the grand setting, Courtney eagerly wanted to make amends for her fans’ patience and duly delivered a single length set falling just ten minutes short of two hours. Apart from the substantive content of over twenty immaculately dealt songs, the quality was of an astonishing level melding perfectly into the compatibility of the surroundings.
While the
pairing of something old and something new fell into the set list, it was the
standard Courtney Marie stance of nothing borrowed and only occasional dips
into something blue. There is a streak of uplifting positivity running through
her song writing, weaving in personal experience, perception and viewing the
complexities of life through the lens of others. The platform afforded to her this
evening encouraged a high degree of revelation leading to thoughts shared on
solo v co- writing, an artistic upbringing in Arizona and a personal voyage in
securing ‘making music’ as a way of life.
Just like
her previous visit to this venue in February, Courtney made use of the
available piano and went on to deliver ‘This
House’, ‘Paintings from Michael’, a new song titled ‘Ships in the Night’ and the requested ‘Only in My Mind’ on the ivories. The rest came from the acoustic guitar
with a slight twist for the evening finale.
Personal
highlights from the show form from the alignment of those little moments that
allow you to enter a fixated zone. ‘Rough
Around the Edges’, ‘Putting the Fire Out’, ‘Honest Life’ and ‘How Quickly Your Heart Mends’ all vied
for top spot but ultimately had to concede to the most precious five minutes
spent at a gig this year.
When first
hearing the songs off the latest album MAY YOUR KINDNESS REMAIN earlier this
year, an instant love affair with ‘Took
You Up’ was born. From the disappointment of it left on the sidelines at
the Nottingham gig in August, its re-establishment via a request this evening
heralded a sublime five minutes. From the opening unison of linking ‘journey –destination
– love – addiction’ to combining ‘cheap motels, diners and dives’ with ‘calling
numbers on the billboard signs’, each line was savoured as a divine moment; a
suitable comment in light of the heavenly settings.
Courtney
had little trouble finding the notes that give her vocals an air of supremacy.
Aided by a crisp clear sound system and the obligatory pin-drop audience environment,
everything that makes Courtney Marie Andrews an exceptional performing
singer-songwriter was in place. Maybe one moment on the evening that did not
hit the expected heights was the unplugged finale of ‘May Your Kindness Remain’ delivered in the middle of a two hundred
strong gathering. This common concluding moment of certain gigs generally works
better in greater intimate venues, and while the vocals were clearly heard, it
lacked the impact of the previous hour and fifty minutes.
There was
no need for an encore as Courtney Marie Andrews had supplied the crowning
moment, just an extensive meet and greet until the dipping temperature of a
chilly setting took hold. Despite a dismal December day in the city of Oxford besotted
with Christmas shopping, this sensational warming performance from an artist
brimming with creative talent illuminated a setting getting ready for its admittedly
bigger date in the coming week. However, for one solitary evening, the angels
could at least look down with wry satisfaction on their invited guest.
Wednesday, 5 December 2018
GIG REVIEW: Midland - O2 Academy 2, Birmingham. Tuesday 4th December 2018
2018 has seen the Midland brand exported across the pond, with this Austin Texas-based combo featuring on the main bill of the Country-2-Country Festival and returning several months later to a headline tour, parading sold out signs around provincial venues. Oh, the power of marketing. This included a full house in the 600-capacity second room of the O2 Academy in Birmingham.
It would
take a hardened country music fan’s soul to perpetuate denial that ON THE ROCKS
did not contain redeeming credentials, which at least flavoured a record with a lacing of honky
tonk flair. Whether a studio
on a mission led the drive or a band following their dream will likely reveal
in good time, but more immediate analysis lies in Midland’s capability to
deliver a live show to match the lofty status of their early commercial success.
Any chance
that the widely used pedal steel in the album recording would make the trip
sunk at the outset, and this evening’s show cemented the view that you might as
well just tour the UK with a four-prong guitar attack joining the beating drum.
On more than one occasion rock ‘n’ roll took root and as the balance of
originals cascaded into a multitude of covers, the Stones, Springsteen, The
Band, Allman Brothers, ZZ Top and a parting shot of Chris Isaak reverberated around
a venue struggling to match the best in the sound department. From a lengthy
menu of covers, a version of Jerry Reed’s ‘East
Bound and Down’ was the best delivered.
Inevitably,
it was the songs from ON THE ROCKS that both drew the crowd and the most positive
response from the floor. Understandably, ‘Drinkin’
Problem’, in its anticipated encore slot, created the biggest wave on the
evening, both metaphorically and literally. Elsewhere from the record, ‘Make a Little’, ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Altitude
Adjustment’ made the strongest impression. This was in contrast to the
opening trio of ‘Check Cashin’ Country’,
‘Burn Out’ and ‘Electric Rodeo’, which accumulated into a rather limp start to the
set.
Comments
from the opening shows on the tour ranged from implying ‘a quality band’ to
an ‘awful vocal experience sidelining any remnants of a tune’. Trying to tread
the middle ground can require expectation adjustment. Evidence forging either
opinion can be sourced from a perspective alongside an observation that the majority present
were content to buy into a concept of a band pitching their stock on audience
interactivity.
Regardless of where you move next with Midland, the legacy of ON THE ROCKS is intact. Whatever the future brings will no doubt fuel further debate. Regardless of the outcome, their progression will be subject to whether this band can create a niche and maintain an audience, one though possibly driven by trend. From a personal perspective, the Midland journey ended on December 4 2018, but it was one of few regrets, just confirmation that there is better out there.
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