Three Chords and the Truth UK

  Sophie Moore’s music illuminates a space, maximising the pieces at its disposal, while delicately creating a piece of tranquility. TROUBLE IN MIND sees this Sussex-based artist return to the recording fold after a lengthy hiatus. Moore was active in the 1980s with London indie band Foggy City and continued to have minor involvement in music after life pulled her in other directions. However a burning desire always remained and connections with American artist Jeb Loy Nicholls and esteemed producer Mark Nevers, famed for his work with Lambchop, laid the foundation for a return inspired by putting a homegrown slant on time honoured country soul. A recording process split between Sussex and South Carolina did the heavy lifting and the result is a prized piece of work. Late night night vibes are evoked alongside a restful composure where primed musicianship and sultry vocals nestle among an array of original compositions blending softly spun tunes and lyrics painting an elegant pictu...

  What is Americana? Gatekeepers, tastemakers, bedroom bloggers and media movers all grapple with a definition. Some expand it from music to wider culture; others philosophically pinpoint it as a 'state of mind'. Artists are often oblivious to it, rejecting the boundaries of genre constraints. Whatever your take, Americana is a living breathing entity, flowering far from any hinterland. If there's room for one more assimilation, embrace the literary imagination of Wily Vlautin, absorb words from the grounded tones of Amy Boone and let the soundtrack ferment in a combo of instrumental maestros. Maybe the answer lies in The Delines.  Characters from the gritty lanes of real America are given a voice in the songs. Three minute story tellings are a microcosm of a Wily Vlautin novel. Often female and always the underdog, the themes are stark. When The Delines launch into any song from a tight album catalogue, a hush descends on the audience. Honing in on the lyrics goes hand in ...

While the background and journey adds substance to the story, you barely need a fraction of the opening song from Nicole Atkins’ new album to know that you are in the midst of a winner. GOODNIGHT RHONDA LEE is the triumphant result of a calling ‘South’ and proof that the horizon knows no limits when all the stars are aligned. Natural talent is bestowed upon an individual with no invitation, but how it is utilised is key to transmitting such a gift from the creative individual to the person experiencing it. From its scintillating opening through the other ten tracks, this achingly beautiful album fans the vocal flames with extraordinary pedigree. A record that smoothly switches from making you smile, cry, think and dance, this a classic cut of country soul, which spans the generations. Throughout the album, Nicole wanders into soul territory armed with rock credentials, never really staying, yet intent on soaking up all the vibes that have formed the ‘Great American Soul Book’. Alt...

It has been a little over two years since Cale Tyson was introduced to UK audiences, and with each added development the treat of this unwrapping keeps getting better. His latest mission to spread the word on the eastern side of the Atlantic has mainly been focussed on playing dates in mainland Europe, with just a brief schedule space to tag on a few UK shows before its conclusion. Among the venues selected to host an evening of Cale Tyson in majestic form, you can now add the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham, with the five-piece band in pulsating form from the moment the opening bars of ‘ Staying Kind’ fired the started gun. This track also has a similar role in getting Cale’s latest album CARELESS SOUL underway and over the duration of this set, which stretched to around an hour and half, we were regularly reminded why this is such a good record. UK label Clubhouse Records gave its release a leg up over here and word is out that it’s likely to get a fresh impetus elsewhere in the no...

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...

For those with a desire to be enthralled by an outstanding lesson in American roots music dissection, St. George’s Hall, Bewdley was the place to be in the lauded company of Will Kimbrough and Brigitte DeMeyer. This recently formed recording duo was wrapping up their short UK tour in a small Worcestershire town on the banks of the River Severn, although it was music emanating from the Delta and the Gulf waters of the South that inspired an exceptional display of musical craft. The tour was designed to promote the recently released album MOCKINGBIRD SOUL and in their individual styles, Brigitte and Will each played a significant part in the overwhelming success of another exemplary evening promoted by the Music in the Hall team. Whether by design, spontaneity or natural demeanour, Will generally took the lead in this two-set show, being the most verbally active and thrilling the gathered throng with a guitar picking expertise that totally lived up to the status of its lofty acclaim...

Music is the voice of the soul and deep down where the soul resides you’ll find Danny and the Champs pouring their heart into a live show. That show won’t be large, pretentious and full of superficial content. It will resonate with a fulfilling sound, spirited musicianship and a set of guys who passionately care about the music they create. The audience will buy into the simple ideals of Danny George Wilson and revel in the moment. Filters such as phones and reviews are mere superfluous to the air of connectivity , Contradictions aside, Danny and the Champions of the World continue to be the worst kept secret on the UK live music scene, reaching out to a loyal fan base, courting industry acclaim and maintaining the highest possible standards. This evening at The Donkey, just outside Leicester city centre, was not revolutionary, but pure Danny and the Champs staple and a firm reassurance why music will always rule in its live environment. To the names of Ags Connolly, Trevor Mos...

Greg Payne and the Piedmont Boys Back in 2009 the inaugural trip to Nashville saw a trip out west to Memphis, so it was only appropriate to venture east this time and sample the delights of Knoxville and Asheville. Three significant music events were witnessed on this leg of the tour which sandwiched visits to the other ‘villes’ on this Southern road trip namely Nashville and Louisville. So enough town namedropping and some focus on the music sampled as we headed to the Smoky Mountains region. The major music highlight of the time spent in the thriving East Tennessee metropolis of Knoxville was a mere yet splendid hour during the recording of the WDVX Blue Plate Special. This is a daily music show which is broadcast at noon from the Knoxville Visitor Centre. This visit saw two contrasting artists play a live set of around half a dozen songs interspersed with chat from the show host Red Hickey. Up first was Nashville-based artist Charlotte Berg who was fortunate to be aided by a...

Some things are eternally re-assuring about the first weekend of July. A large peacock looms protectively over its stage, hug a bunny remains a festival side attraction and a host of fine musicians descend upon Easton Farm Park in Suffolk. Now one year shy of its decade existence, Maverick Festival continues to be a beacon on the independent music scene and forever adept at the concept of sun conquering rain. This ninth gathering of artists, sealed by a common bond of contemporary roots music, once again served up a treat for festival goers and displayed an array of styles to ensure that many angles of what we term ‘Americana music’ was covered. While it would be useful to acquire omnipresent powers, the constraints of any festival review lean heavily upon the personal perspective. So full respect and admiration for any artist not seen over the weekend, but if you went on quality sampling of what was witnessed, then they too would have been worthy of your time. On an action pa...

Following his introduction to UK audiences last year, the big question is how would Cale Tyson build on this impressive beginning? The answer is about to be revealed when CARELESS SOUL gets its release on April 8 and folks are not going to be disappointed. Think – Louisiana Hayride meets Phil Spector meets Muscle Shoals in its heyday – and you can start to aurally imagine the sound that is going to pour out of your chosen listening device. There is a little bit of adjustment needed from the debut recordings that had multiple issues across the continents and get prepared for the horns influence straight from the early bars of the opening track. Once the necessary adjustments have been made, sit back and enjoy a masterclass of country soul – 2016 style. CARELESS SOUL gets its UK release on Clubhouse Records and the notion of any gamble is erased immediately once this record sinks its mighty grooves into your pores. You will not be surprised to learn that it was recorded at the imm...

If 'music is the voice of the soul', then surely 'live performance is the soul of music'. This blog was launched five years ago to house gig reviews and these continue to be the staple of its content. In 2015 ninety gigs were attended, if you count each festival day, and most ended up with a review. However at this time of the year, it is tradition to pay tribute to those folks I come across on the circuit who far exceed this hefty number. As in previous years, and with full vanity intentions, the Top 20 from a pure enjoyment perspective have been chronicled, listed, ranked and posted. Festival sets have been deliberately omitted and grouped elsewhere, leaving a bunch of gigs long to linger in the memory. Enjoy the accompanying review extract and feel free to click on the full piece. 1  The Mavericks - Birmingham Symphony Hall Sunday 1 March 'During the Mavericks hiatus, Raul Malo had developed his own solo career with numerous Birmingham appearances but he ...