Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Jan 2016
There’s a lot of damn fine music heading our way in 2016 that’s quite difficult to pin to a particular genre, which is a very good thing as we don’t want to get in to that whole genre ghetto trip. Thus we’re gonna have a pretty flexible definition of what constitutes Americana, Blues & Country. There may well be rockabilly featured (think of it as fast aggressive country music for ne’er-do-wells) and soul too (which is the blues you can take home to met your mum). Oh and things may get folky…after all the blues is distorted folk music and country is really an iteration of European folk traditions eh? If you disagree, then leave a comment telling us why, and if we’re missing a great band let us know too – especially if they’re an up and coming local act.
The Shakespeare, Jan 09
Graeme and Iain Moncrieff are seasoned musicians who are bringing something new to the local scene. Sure they’re a two piece and there’s a few of those around; but these guys are building their own instruments and trying to forge something new from the blues format. With twenty years experience you can be sure the foundations are solid but what the guys plan to build is gonna be radically different to their previous work. Slide guitar, homemade stomp boxes and vocal harmonies suggest the bastard offspring of the Everly Brothers and John Lee Hooker whilst the live shows will be used to work up material for studio recordings in the spring. Shake off the New Year doldrums and get down to the Totterdown Delta; you could be in at the start of something special.
Academy, Jan 20
Jason Isbell made his bones as part of America’s best rock band Drive by Truckers (check out Goddamn Lonely Love and Outfit) before going solo in 2007. Since then he’s been constructing a fine body of work and building an enviable reputation for his live shows – performing with his band The 400 Unit, solo, and with his (equally talented) wife Amanda Shires. His seemingly slow burn career has taken off with latest release Something More than Free, which received rave reviews: voted Billboard’s Best Country Album of 2015 and making the Rolling Stone top ten albums of 2015 too, in with a bullet at #7. For all that the LP got the Billboard accolade, Isbell’s music may well be informed by Country, but it’s equally informed by a trailer load of other styles and genres. He’s a skilful lyric writer, an acute observer of life and his songs are bittersweet vignettes of life in contemporary America; delivered with an astute understanding of both personal politics and politics with a capital “P”. Isbell is a witty writer too, and his sense of humour comes to the fore on stage. He’s played St.Bonaventure’s and the Thekla, and this show has been upgraded from the Trinity; so catch him now as next time he’ll be playing the Colston for sure.
Trinity, Jan 23
It’s difficult to describe let alone categorise Patty Griffin’s work. The path of least resistance is to accept that she’s an excellent singer songwriter who uses whatever style or format serves her songs. Thus her catalogue features material that can be described as americana, country, old time, folk and many that are mash ups of those styles with blues and jazz thrown in to the mix. What holds it all together is her mercurial voice – she’s a sublime singer who makes every note count, effortlessly riding the melody with keening melancholy. Current recording Servant of Love is full of ghosts & ethereal spook and is a superb companion to her previous release American Kid. Griffin’s arguably at the height of her powers right now and mesmerising live. Lyrically her songs are a knowing take on relationships and life, but she’s not afraid to tackle bigger issues too. Check out her thoughts on the state of US democracy via her notes on the Use Your Voice Tour. Oh, make sure you get in the room early, support comes from Frankie Lee, he’s just released his first LP, which is full of ballsy Americana (more Petty than Tweedy) and stuffed with unexpected lyrical twists.
Tunnels, Jan 23
Alas, capricious fate has produced a gig clash forcing fans to choose between the sublime Patty Griffin and a night of raucous scatological hell-raising. For those unfamiliar with JW he’s the main man in the irrepressible Hayseed Dixie, purveyors of bluegrass tributes to Kiss and the mighty AC/DC. Casual fans will only be aware of the band as a covers outfit, but they record and release original material too: notably the once heard never forgotten classic I’m Keeping Your Poop (In a Jar). The No Covers Solo Show promises, well, a set featuring no covers and comprising entirely solo material. JW is bringing a band with him, and those of us who’ve seen him perform with Hayseed Dixie know he’s quite the raconteur, so your funny bone will get as good a work out as your dancing feet.
Tunnels, Jan 27
Upon hearing Uncle Lucius described as a southern rock band the casual music fan might dismiss them as rebel flag wavin’ gun totin’ god botherin’ rednecks, which is not only a disservice to the band but to the genre in general. The Texas band ably demonstrates why a discerning music fan will always take the time to explore music from the southern states. Their sound is a distillation of the great music from round those parts – country harmonies, Stax grooves, Allamanesque solos and Skynyrd-sized riffs. Check out Live At The Saxon Pub to hear how the band take their songs off in to the stratosphere for cosmic jams that hit home with foot tapping precision rather than meandering off on overlong odysseys. The guys are touring their fourth LP In Search of the Light, their first truly independent recording and it’s a banger. Shake off your prejudices, evade the fashion police and open yourself up to a whole new world of sound.
Alma Tavern, Jan 28
There are plenty of reasons to get out and have a listen to Rod Picott. He’s a gifted song writer – unlike some of the UK whippersnappers, Picott spent several years working in the construction trade rather than jumping straight from school to Wembley Stadium via trending on social media. Before jacking in the day job to follow his muse Picott stockpiled a skip full of songs, keen to ensure that the music was of good enough quality to share with the public. As a result he brings a maturity to his beautifully crafted work; world weary but with a vein of optimism too. His voice has a lived in quality that only age and experience can bring, smooth like honey and with a ragged edge giving veracity to his stories, and the lyrics do feel more like short stories set to music rather than traditional song constructions. He’s a fine player too, understated guitar that brings out the heart of the song with an engaging subtlety. This gig is part of an extensive European tour; catch him now, if there’s any justice you’ll be boasting to your friends about how you saw him in a pub when they’re raving about him on Later…
Further Ahead
If you’re looking for more Beards, Blues & Twang, then here’s a look ahead to some shows that will satisfy your hankering for roots music:
Aiofe O’Donovan, Tunnels: Monday 01 Feb
Lindi Ortega,Thekla: Tuesday, 02 Feb
Jeff Finlin, Alma Tavern, 04 Feb
Lucero, Exchange: Saturday, 06 Feb
Christopher Paul Stelling, Tunnels, 16 Feb
Dan Stuart, Exchange: Monday, 22 Feb
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Academy: Wednesday, 09 Mar
King King, Fleece: Thursday, 10 Mar
Ruzz Guitars Blues Revue, Tunnels: Friday, 08 Apr
Charles Bradley, Colston Hall: Friday, 15 Apr
Richmond Fontaine, Tunnels: Monday, 18 Apr
Hayes Caril, Tunnels: Friday, 22 Apr
Simon McBride, Tunnels: Wednesday, 18 May
Jo Harman, Tunnels: Thursday, 19 May
Ian Siegel / Jimbo Mathus, Tunnels: Wednesday, 25 May
Bonnie Raitt, Colston Hall: Thursday, 02 Jun
Beth Hart, Colston Hall: Thursday, 17 Nov
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