Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Feb 2017
Bloody hell February is looking busy then (and gig clashes remain a pain in the stetson) – something for all tastes from traditional to the usual genre bending acts that flaunt the straightjacket of genre tropes. Good to see local acts launching albums and taking on bigger venues too and I trust they’ll continue to get your support – if ye can’t make the gig then at least check out their merch and score a recording, there’s a truck load of quality within the BS post code. And do let us know if we are missing any local band gigs in the Further Ahead section. Whether you pick local, national or international…see you down the front.
Tunnels: Thursday, 02 Feb
is needed now More than ever
Jarosz is a hard working polymath eh? Multi-instrumentalist, genre-hopping, honours graduate and “mini-supergroup” member (er, the band I’m With Her, with Sara Watkins and Aoife O’Donovan rather than something to do with being short of stature or a fan of a much missed British Marque – no the BMWs do NOT count). Whilst there’s a lot written about her instrumental skills, she’s no slouch as a song writer – don’t just take our word for it, check out the Grammy nominations – and the tunes come to life on stage. Undercurrent is the latest waxing, another beautiful collection of songs and it will be a treat to see her in The Tunnels but be warned this day has been cursed by the rock gods as it clashes with…
Colston Hall: Thursday, 02 Feb
Some people resent their favourite acts gaining popularity and whilst it can be frustrating when a band crosses over and you miss out on a sold out gig or can’t hang out with the band at a large venue like you used in the small rooms, who in their right mind begrudges an act getting the success they deserve? Case in point, St Paul & the Broken Bones played a brief but enthralling appearance at The Trinity during Dot-to-Dot 2014 and then returned for a sweltering sold out show at the same venue in June of 2016 and this date has been bumped up from The Trinity to The Colston. Brilliant. The band are a genuinely life affirming barn storming sweaty soul tsunami and will leave you drained and hoarse. The only down side is the gig clash with the mighty Glenn Hughes at the Fleece. Grrrrr.
Tunnels: Sunday, 05 Feb
One of the stand out gigs of 2016 was The Bros Landreth at the Tunnels, a fabulous funkified country soul gumbo that left a packed room sweaty, elated and drained. Joey has worked up some solo material and is bringing it over the pond for some UK dates. At the time of posting the tunes are unheard but he’s a fine, fine guitar player and great vocalist: he revealed “Lowell George is my Elvis” after the Tunnels show, and by George (sorry) that’s not a bad comparison. Well worth a punt.
Lantern: Thursday, 09 Feb
We’ve previously expressed our admiration for Spender as she releases a shred of the day (check this out) and she’s a talented artist showing great promise. Recently back from America this gig is a band rather than solo show and will be a great opportunity to hear her material in a new light. As you’ll have seen she’s a good guitar player, but has a more than decent voice and a knack for bluesy / country tunes informed by a soul vibe. With support from Harry & the Gondolas (excellent trio – folky americana with west coast harmonies) and Samuel Jack (promising young singer, influenced by the blues & soul with a debut single Surrender about to hit the racks) this is a superb value for money evening and the ideal opportunity to support fresh talent. Although it will be a lot less rowdy than Slaughter & the Dogs over at the Fleece.
Tunnels: Friday, 10 Feb
If you’re a guitar fan who likes to dance then this is the night for you – three excellent local bands (and only a tenner) covering the blues / rock ‘n’ roll / rockabilly end of the spectrum. Stone Theory open the show with their gnarly blues rock (new EP launch ahead too) followed by the Red Hot Trio (entertainingly described as “Not your usual bowling shirt Rockabilly!” by Roy Williams of Nervous Records) promising a set of originals and covers. Main man Ruzz Guitar will be playing in the company of not just his Blues Revue but the birthday boy will be bringing back his Big Band for the occasion. There have been plenty of national six string slingers stopping off at the Tunnels so it will be great to see our own Gretsch wielding local boy tearing up the stage.
Tunnels: Sunday, 12 Feb
This husband and wife duo two deep into their joint recording career but are seasoned musicians having produced material in their own right and played in the Mighty Steve Earle’s band. These NY based Texans are in the middle of a European tour and word is the dates are selling out, so don’t be tardy if you are planning on catching the show. You can expect country of the alt variety, fine craftsmanship and nifty harmonies. The second LP Good Luck Charm touched on the politics of the time (2014) and their third LP is in gestation, so it will be interesting to see if they are working up any new material live and if it’s been influenced by recent events because we’re certainly in uncharted waters eh?
Louisiana: Thursday, 16 Feb
Yes, genre busting and cocking a snook at musical demarcations lines is a theme, nay, obsession of the ABC Picks so it is with pleasure that we can reveal a certain free online encyclopaedia has described Blau’s music as “…folk, dub, R&B, bossa nova, grunge, hip hop, drone and worldbeat”. This gig will certainly be an opportunity to test that description (email us for a free genre check list to take on the night) when he performs cuts with his touring band.
Colston Hall: Thursday, 16 Feb
This gal is a country song come to life in many ways – child star (talent shows at five, first hit at thirteen); massive sales (bazillions all over the world); genre hopping (country & country pop & more country & crossover success & covers…ya get the picture); law suits (sued her dad, sued her label, sued her manager); tangled love life (marriage & affair & divorce) but that’s just the tabloid bullshit side of the tale. The other side of the story is she’s a terrific singer; it’s a lazy default to compare country gals to Patsy Cline but Rimes is worthy of the comparison. Furthermore back in 2010 she stood up for gay rights, not something the trad country crowd naturally expect so well played Ms. Rimes. There were a few seats left at the time of posting so if you fancy ignoring the hype and the bullshit, check her out, two Grammies and 44 million sales didn’t just land in her lap for mediocre performances and second rate recordings. Oh and the newest LP explores her Mississippi roots so expect some grit.
Thunderbolt: Friday, 17 Feb
The Long Tall V is warming up for a Glastonbury Calling gig the following week, and has a busy year ahead with new material on the horizon and plenty of live shenanigans planned (with his own outfit – trio and extended no doubt – and hopefully some stuff from The Nurses, who played an incendiary set at the Golden Lion). This will be a primal rock riot, an Americana / Blues mash up delivered with the swagger of the Stones and the primal heft of the Stooges.
Golden Lion: Sunday, 19 Feb
Ever wondered what would happen if you took a musician from the Valleys and asked him to conjure songs with a Delta Lady? Well you can find out at one of our favourite venues when the Lion present Welshman Al Lewis & Mississippi born Alva Leigh aka Lewis & Leigh. They’ve released some well received EPs, supported some fairly popular bands and been nominated for a few awards, so a promising start for an outfit that only released their debut LP last year. Ghost reflects their respective birth places beautifully, which shouldn’t be a surprise as white American roots music sprang from European folk traditions.
Tunnels: Monday, 20 Feb
OK so let’s the Green on Red thing out of the way, yep, CP was an integral part of that band, yep they made some fabulous music (and oh boy, were they good live) but that’s the past. Since then CP has assembled an enviable solo / band catalogue of equally fabulous music and oh boy, are he and his Mission Express good live. Raucous American filtered through a psychedelic sensibility with lashings of hooks and an irresistible sense of melody. He’s a funny bugger too, a dry wit that’s switched on to the zeitgeist allowing him to deliver a surreal take on affairs of the heart and the world alike. Even if you’re not a fan it’s worth signing up to his email newsletter for the sheer entertainment value. Seriously. New LP Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins is out now and will undoubtedly be delivered with lashings of back catalogue and possibly a well selected cover or two.
Crofter’s Rights, Saturday 24 Feb
It doesn’t seem that long ago The Tones were launching their debut LP at this venue, a cracking album that went down a storm with both fans and critics. Since then they’ve gone up a league – new representation has them working some major festivals nationally and meanwhile a line-up change means they’re now a two piece drums /vox and guitar outfit. The new record is a fiery slab of punk-blues informed by current affairs, family history, relationships and a genuine desire to make a difference through their tunes. The night is gonna be a rambunctious affair for sure – the new LP in full with re-worked sides from the debut and possibly some unexpected covers. They’re also off on a few continental escapades with some major European Festivals on the schedule – so catch ‘em while you can. Support comes from Benjamin Bassford, a solo acoustic songwriter, influenced by the blues but with plenty of folky inflections: a subtle aperitif for the fiery main course then.
St. Georges: Tuesday, 28 Feb
Hard to believe but the Family are nearly a quarter of a century on from their debut (bloody hell, a quarter of a century sounds a lot longer than twenty five years eh?) and they’re still recording, releasing and touring their pretty damn unique brand of spooky gothic americana. As usual their most recent platter Unseen is chock full of songs (mostly) inspired by real life folk and events and that album and their back catalogue are ideally suited to St Georges. Oh, am I the only one that didn’t know Guns n’ Roses used their Far From Any Road as walk on music? Hah, what an amateur…
Further Ahead
Here’s a look ahead to some shows that will satisfy your hankering for roots music –the gig clash forecast is low for Beards, Blues & Twang but if you also enjoy Volume, Tattoos and Riffs then best check the Metal and Prog Picks for cross genre clashes. Whatever your choice make sure you get your tickets early, some rockin’ nights ahead and tix will be snaffled up sharpish:
Caitlin Koch, Bierkeller: Wednesday, 01 Mar
Drive by Truckers, Anson: Thursday, 02 Mar
The Grahams, Lantern: Sunday, 05 Mar
Albert Lee, Lantern: Tuesday, 07 Mar
Blues & Jazz Festival, Colston Hall: Thursday, 16 Mar
Danny Bryant, Bierkeller: Wednesday, 22 Mar
Kaz Hawkins, Tunnels: Thursday, 23 Mar
Steve n Seagulls, Fleece: Tuesday, 28 Mar
Alejandro Escovedo, Tunnels: Sunday, 02 Apr
Blackberry Smoke, Academy: Thursday, 06 Apr
John Fairhurst, Tunnels: Thursday, 13 Apr
King King, Fleece: Sunday, 23 Apr
Laurence Jones, Tunnels: Tuesday, 25 Apr
Michael Kiwanuka, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 03 May
Dan Patlansky, Tunnels: Friday, 05 May
Paul Rogers, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 10 May
Cattle & Caine, Louisiana: Friday, 12 May
Sheelanagig, Exchange: Friday, 19 May
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