Three Chords and the Truth UK

Many artists pass through the brick walled surroundings of the Kitchen Garden, but surely few could have put in such a rip-roaring vocal performance like Kyshona did on this, the second night of her current ‘United’ UK tour. Indeed this pulsating singer-songwriter (South Carolina raised now Nashville based)  was making a return to Birmingham, and this venue in particular, after a debut slot last September, but the reins were definitely loosened for this revised format. Kyshona Armstrong, to give her the rarely used full formal name, was a member of the Nashville in the Round song writing trio which toured venues up and down the country in the autumn of 2016. The opening act for those set of dates was the prime reason for Kyshona treading many of the same venues on this new tour with the performer in question, Birmingham based songwriter Robert Lane, now being the gig partner rather than support. To be fair he was never going to compete in the vocal stakes but settled into a role...

Free your mind, clear out the everyday clutter and take as much time as you need to absorb the subtle drifting mesmeric tones of Sam Baker. In some respects this new album is symbolic of the acute singer-songwriter that has been accumulating lo-fi accolades for over a decade, but in other ways there are some marked changes from his earlier releases. Without doubt Sam Baker aficionados will lap up every minute of LAND OF DOUBT and this may prove an accessible entry point for those willing to try something a little different. What will always be undeniable is his ability to pen some amazingly structured lyrical compositions, very much in line with what seems an inbred trait of Texas songwriters. This is prevalent throughout the ten narrated songs on this album which brings to life a number of characters, concepts and perceptions. However what makes this album different are the five carefully inserted short musical interludes which coat the whole record in a cinematic gloss. Togeth...

There was a definite warmth in the air at the Kitchen Garden for this show, and on this occasion not being generated by a balmy early June evening. It was more a case of the harmonious vibes emanating from the music and personas of two Texas singer-songwriters in prime form. Indeed it was far more than the family affair of husband and wife team Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt inevitably sharing the bill. The joy of eventually being able to travel extensively with their young daughter created a joyous glow which radiated from each performer, heralding a stability to allow a enticing bunch of songs to prosper. Of course, Danny and Carrie are no strangers to touring the UK, and the observation of so many familiar faces on this Birmingham return certainly played a part in stimulating a relaxed and comforting atmosphere. However while an apt environment is crucial to a successful gig, the performance is still key and on that score the night soared to some seriously high levels of contem...

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 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...