Two shows into her latest UK tour and Karen Jonas has wasted no time in rising to the task of sharing her qualities as a music performer. Lavishly accompanied by her established band members Tim Bray (electric guitar) and Seth Morrissey (bass), the trio honed in on their individual talents to emit a collective sound that skirts around various genres of American music. Fredericksburg, Virgina may be the southern base, but the hinterland expanded out west as far as Hawaii and east across the ocean to the streets of Paris. The imagination and creative nous of Karen Jonas fuels where she takes her music with a pleasing trend that more people are joining her on the journey.
This was the trio's second appearance at the Kitchen Garden. Birmingham and the West Midlands wasn't able to find a spot on the late summer 2023 tour. No mishaps this time though, and like in 2022, the Kitchen appearance featured among the early dates. If Karen Jonas and the band hit greater heights later in the tour, folks choosing them for their live music fix will be in for a real treat.
The cornerstone for this 2024 visit is the August release of THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICAN KITSCH, the 7th studio album since 2014, and the 6th to get some UK press that began with COUNTRY SONGS. Evidence strongly suggests there has been considerable growth with each album released and several trusted sources not only acclaim the latest as the best yet, but high on several favourites of the year list. Across the two sets played this evening, many tracks were included, kicking things off with 'Four Cadillacs' and decorating the pre-encore slot with 'Rich Man's Valley'. The latter has the honour of opening the album and it was fitting to close its presentation this evening as it came across as one of the songs of the show.
It transpires that 'Let's Go to Hawaii' is not only a fan favourite off the record but Karen Jonas' too. Maybe it was difficult to replicate the full studio twang in a three-piece, but the live version contained all the panache of its recorded counterpart. With the playing and the storytelling behind 'Shake Bump and Grind Show', 'Pink Flamingoes' and 'Gold in the Sand', you started to get a sense of the theme and its concept tendencies. You also got a taste of some of the sardonic wit in 'Online Shopping', a song more than a singalong ditty.
The only thing the live show doesn't do is reveal the intricacies and the sharp writing within the songs. Listen to the album armed with the lyrics and an inquisitive mind to really dig deep into the songs and the poignant narration in the record's final throes.
Away from the new album, five other Jonas originals were shared. The oldest track was the requested 'The Garden' from 2016's COUNTRY SONGS. A song dusted down a couple of years ago and one the band now enjoy playing. THE SOUTHWEST SKY AND OTHER DREAMS provided two of its most popular tracks 'The Last Cowboy (At the Bowling Alley)' and 'Pink Leather Boots'. The lively latter was among tonight's highlights.
Last year's album (you get the picture we are in a prolific Karen Jonas period) THE RESTLESS was an underrated release, and the band admitted it hasn't been played so much. This oversight is starting to be rectified with 'Elegantly Wasted' and 'Paris Breeze' featuring in the Kitchen Garden setlist. The former is a firm favourite here and one of the highlights of the evening to hear the live version up close and personal.
Perhaps the part of the show up for debate is the extensive inclusion of covers. They definitely aren't fillers as there are many other Karen Jonas songs that could be fitted in. They are also wonderfully executed and are sufficiently popular to raise the ears of any casual audience member preferring bouts of something they know. On the other hand, six, in my view, was a couple too many and could have gave way to further original numbers. There is also the implied situation that Karen Jonas attracts an intense listening audience in the UK, one who buys into the concept of being exposed to new songs. Others views may prevail and it is always the prerogative of the artist to share what they are comfortable with. Of the six played this evening, 'Boys of Summer' is a shoe-in as they have made it part of their DNA, and 'Can't Help (Falling in Love With You)' perfectly fitted the theme of the evening. The intro to Stevie Nicks’ 'Silver Springs' also added value to the show. Replacing all or a couple of 'Dancing in the Dark', 'Son of a Preacher Man' and 'Big River' with originals would have slightly upwardly altered the show's dynamics from an already lofty position.
No Karen Jonas live reflection is complete without the awe and appreciation of Tim Bray's exceptional guitar playing. He brings so much to the studio and live work that the partnership is almost inseparable. Bassist Seth Morrissey also has his moments in the spotlight, but like all players in the rhythmic backfield they can just grin and sit back knowing things up front wouldn't be half as good without them.
Karen Jonas continues to wonderfully evolve as a complete artist. Her studio albums thrive on innovation and expansion, and the commitment to widen a touring environment will only fuel future development. It has been a pleasure to follow her for over eight years on record and now a couple of years live. No doubt there is a plenty more to come, and plenty of new fans to court in the UK.
