Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Dec 2016

December is a quiet month (unless you pick something from the equally sparse metal n prog picks) but there’s some quality music and some great opportunities to escape the gross commercialisation of baby Jesus’s birthday and distract yourselves from the real world, which appears to be going to hell in a hand cart lately. But let’s not dwell on that, check out the listings and pay particular attention to the cornucopia of delights amassed for 2017, including some shows that will sell out.

Yola Carter

Wardobe Theatre: Monday, 05 Dec

Our Yola has had a hell of a year, a rammed solo show launching her solo work, superb support slots with Sam Outlaw and St Paul & the Broken Bones, not to mention the small matter of taking the States by storm when she stole both the show and the headlines at September’s Americana Fest in Nashville (“The breakout performance” according to The Guardian). The debut EP Orphan Offering is being launched at this gig and that will whet the appetite for Orphan Country, the soon come full album. The gig sold out quite a while back so if you weren’t lucky enough to snaffle a ticket, keep an eye on our listings for future dates, pick up the EP and use it as a soundtrack to kick yourself for missing this show.

Bob Log III

Fleece: Monday, 12 Dec

This one is gonna be a lot of fun, Bob’s attitude to rock n roll is best in class: “That’s what rock n roll is to me. You take a guitar, turn it up, make the ladies dance and have a good time” so that just about everything you need on a cold winter’s night. Oh and if you’re not familiar with BLIII, then check this, he’s a one man blues punk explosion who just happens to perform in a one piece suit and motorcycle helmet whilst supplying all the percussion via his feet. And his songs are, well, a firm favourite with the fans is Boob Scotch (yeah, live performances feature both), so don’t go expecting a commentary on the current state of the world. But go expecting that a rubber dinghy may feature prominently in the show and that ladies will be invited on stage to sit on his knee while he continues to perform. Support comes from our own Husky Tones now slimmed down to a two piece outfit and no doubt previewing material from their almost finished crowd funded second LP (read all about it here) and hot from a prestigious 100 Club gig up in that London.

TBelly

Golden Lion: Friday, 16 Dec

Hard to believe form their recordings and live shows but three members of TBelly toured and recorded with a line-up of the Bay City Rollers, but ‘tis true (although don’t be yelling for Shang-a-Lang because you’ll look like a twat). They’ll no doubt feature tunes from debut LP Dead Men Don’t Pray and they’re being joined by Will Wilde on harmonica.  Support Red Ray & the Reprobates are playing their last gig of the year – the lads have been reworking their live set for a new six piece line-up. They’ve recorded a new album and it is currently being mixed with plans for a release early 2017, so catch them on the cusp of a big year – the two bands guaranteeing a lively night to start the last weekend before Chrimbo.

Paul McClure and the Local Heroes

Golden Lion:    Sunday, 18 Dec

This is a family friendly opportunity to introduce your sprogs to the concept of live music (brothers and sisters it is not just an obligation but your duty to ensure your children are introduced to the pleasure of live music as the earliest of opportunities). Paul McLure is a Clubhouse recording artist, so you know he’s gonna be good, and he will be playing a full band set. He’s a subtle songwriter and has been doing this for quite a while, so knows how to craft a good tune and how to entertain a crowd. McClure is joined by The Roselleys who’ve been touring all over the country and have also continued their adventures in the States, including the Nashville Americana fest and hitting the road in Texas. This is a great bill in a great venue and you’ll be missed if you don’t get there.

Further Ahead

OK so the further ahead list remains tantalising and nicely full but really needs your full attention as many of these are gonna sell well if not sell out (St. Paul & the Broken Bones, W. Buffalo esq., DBT & B’Smoke for sure), so don’t get distracted buying Christmas stuff, buy tickets and if your desired show is sold out, go to another – pick a smaller gig and support the new talent. Incidentally it’s pleasing to report that the gods of rock have rewarded the fabulous St.Paul as fan demand has resulted in the show being bumped from the Trinity to the Colston but the capricious buggers have also punished the discerning music fan by sending the mighty Glenn Hughes to the Fleece on the same night, curse them.

Harry & the Gondolas, Louisiana: Friday, 06 Jan

King King, Cheese n Grain: Saturday, 14 Jan

Beth Rowley, Lantern: Tuesday, 17 Jan

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, St. Georges: Tuesday, 17 Jan

The Cactus Blossoms, Exchange: Thursday, 19 Jan

The White Buffalo, Trinity: Thursday, 19 Jan

Felice Brothers, Fleece: Friday, 27 Jan

Darlingside, Tunnels: Monday, 30 Jan

James McMurtry, Tunnels: 31 Jan

Sarah Jarosz, Tunnels: Thursday, 02 Feb

St.Paul & the Broken Bones, Colston Hall: Thursday, 02 Feb

King Blues, Fleece: Sunday, 05 Feb

Ruzz Guitars, Tunnels: Friday, 10 Feb

Mastersons, Tunnels: Tuesday, 12 Feb

Karl Blau, Louisiana: Thursday, 16 Feb

John E Visitc, Thunderbolt: Friday, 17 Feb

Lewis & Leigh, Golden Lion: 19 Feb

Chuck Prophet, Tunnels: Monday, 20 Feb

Handsome Family, St. Georges: Tuesday, 28 Feb

Caitlin Koch, Bierkeller: Wednesday, 01 Mar

Drive by Truckers, Anson: Thursday, 02 Mar

Albert Lee, Lantern: Tuesday, 07 Mar

Blues & Jazz Festival, Colston Hall 16 – 19 Mar

Danny Bryant, Bierkeller: Wednesday, 22 Mar

Alejandro Escovedo, Tunnels: Sunday, 02 Apr

Blackberry Smoke, Academy: Thursday, 06 Apr

Michael Kiwanuka, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 03 May

All pix John Morgan