Music / americana
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: March 2018
If you thought February featured some fearsome gig clashes and awful choices then brace yourselves because March is looking equally congested – three double headers and a triple whammy, oh, and a couple or three festivals jam packed with quality buggering up any chance of an easy selection. The quality is every bit as good this month of course, bands of all sizes and styles; local, national and from further afield plying their wares at venues large, medium and small. So with a packed month best start checking what’s on offer. See you down the front.
is needed now More than ever
The Grahams (aka Alyssa & Doug Graham) are out on the road promoting their new LP; which soundtracks their soon-come feature length documentary Love & Distortion and there’s the added incentive of a limited 7” single only available during the tour, which features versions of The Pretenders’ Don’t Get Me Wrong and Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You. They’re formidable song writers and those tunes come alive on stage: absolutely cracking twangy guitar with sublime vocals, and songs to break the heart coupled with rockin’ beats to get your feet moving.
Bristol Folk House: Friday, 02 Mar
This is the tenth Bluegrass & Americana festival at this fine venue, hosted this year by The Hogranch, and featuring two concerts on the Friday & Saturday, jam sessions and workshops all in the convivial atmosphere of the Folk House. Friday night features The Hogranch, Jenn Butterworth & Laura-Beth Salter along with The Rosellys; whilst Saturday includes The Old Grey Dogs, Often Herd, The Farwells and The Goat Roper Rodeo Band. A weekend ticket is reasonably priced at £34 (or £4.86 per band) and worth every penny to hear a wide range of music of bluegrass origins. Alas if you do purchase a weekend ticket you’ll be missing two equally fine gigs elsewhere in town…
Hannah Williams & the Affirmations
Sure this outfit are primarily a soul band, but what the hell, the ABC Picks has always acknowledged the links between ABC and soul, especially when the soul is of a southern flavour. Williams has an enviable voice, the band are super tight and whilst they have the songwriting chops (and have been sampled by that Jay Zed fella) they also have the balls to cover Dazed and Confused: not the bleedin’ obvious choice. This is part of a mammoth Euro tour promoting Late Nights and Heartbreaks and a sweaty night of passionate music will be your compensation if you choose this over the Bluegrass Festival.
These chaps create a lovely racket onstage, and have a self-titled LP out right now. Although this is a gig clash with the Bluegrass Festival this is a busy month for the boys as you can avoid a tough decision and catch them at the Cambridge on the 16th or the Kingsdown Wine Vaults on the 23rd (although this is another clash with Police Dog Hogan). If you can’t make any of either show then there’s always their support slot with Alabama Three on 30th. Oh, and Stagfest on the 31st too. Whichever show you choose you will be rewarded with some life affirming yet fiery tunes, outlaw country with a punk sensibility that careens around chaotic but is never a shambles.
You have to admire this dude for running a Blaug [sic] and for releasing Rekkids [sic], especially when the most recent is called Out Her Space. Twenty years in to his career Blau has been ploughing his own off-kilter furrow (particularly with Out Her Space) – Americana & folk just the starting point for some excellent extemporisations and genre mashups, and a guy with a killer live rep. Note this time around Blau is performing solo, so fresh takes on some familiar material. Support comes from fellow Bella Union label-mate Sumie, whose heritage (Swedish mother, Japanese father) informs her minimalist folky tunes, although her most recent LP Lost in Light does have something of a gothic Americana vibe so it will be interesting to see how the material sits with the folkier tunes from her eponymous debut.
Old Stillage: Saturday, 10 Mar
This outfit has been on fire this past 12 months – a cracking crowd funded LP (Who Will I Turn to Now) and a series of high octane, high profile gigs as well as plenty of radio play – the band going national at an alarming rate. Their blues isn’t just musically punky, but politically charged too, the band engaged with local and national politics, which feeds in to their music and sets them apart from other outfits. These guys know how it got so dark and are trying to do something about the situation. The tunes come alive on stage with scorching guitar and powerful drums, all topped off with passionate vocals, these guys know how to bring their oeuvre to life.
These guys have just released Punk Funk Rock Soul Volume 2, and that nearly describes their approach to music but leaves out the fact that aren’t afraid to acknowledge the metal scene (AC/DC and Sabbaff covers amongst others) and are certainly no stranger to the blues. They tore apart the Exchange on their last visit and are sensational on stage – they kick out the jams with raw power and take no prisoners. They are committed musicians and socially engaged, lovely people and they have something to say (find out what here).
If you’re not familiar with Ringenberg then you need to start with Jason & the Scorchers who, along with the mighty Long Ryders, brought the country punk to the Paisley Underground back in ye olden days and remain one of the most outrageously exciting live bands in the world. JR regularly tours solo, both under his own name (performing Scorchers tunes, solo material and covers – he does a human juke box thing, his last set at the ’bolt was 80% crowd picked) and as four times Emmy nominated Farmer Jason (music for children of all ages, saccharine free and rather fun). If we’re lucky the show will include FJ’s best cut Punk Rock Skunk. Ringenberg is a genuine musician: a fan first and foremost and a lovely fella to boot. If you’ve not caught him live before, don’t miss this opportunity.
Various Venues: Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th Mar
Without wishing to do a disservice to this fine event and given the amount of shows being previewed here it’s a brief entry and suffice it to say that if you can’t find something to tempt you in the line-up of this most excellent of events then you sir / madam, are not a fan of fine music and a good night out. There’s workshops, jam sessions and master classes, along with film stuff and if you’re a fan of Jimi, then have a quick squint here.
Not sure if you can stop the press in this digital age but this roadshow is a last minute addition to the Picks, featuring Kristian Bush, Levi Hummon and Twinnie. Country 2 Country is arguably the go-to festival for more mainstream Country, and quite a phenomena in its own right. Fresh from appearances at the show a host of acts are buddying-up and hitting the road for some mini-package tours and the Roadshow arrives at the Boat in the middle of the month, clashing with one of the nights of the BJ&B Fest, but that’s the nature of March this month. Twenty notes gets you some great talent…an established singer-songwriter, a fresher fella and a multi-tasking singing actress gearing up for her debut LP.
It’s a rare month that the Picks doesn’t have a blues guitar player (and how pleasing nowadays that it’s blues players, rather than just bluesmen – so many great women players, in fact skip down to the 29th for proof). Patlansky is from the Jo’burg Delta and having carved out a successful career over there has been building up a decent following over here – solo tours, supports slots (Joe Satriani amongst others) and it’s no surprise that his take on the blues is a bit different from his European and US contemporaries. He’s got a fluid style and happily marries pop nous with (almost prog) wig outs and has a knack for catchy songs.
BLIII was last in town at the Fleece and his mission statement remains the same: “You take a guitar, turn it up, make the ladies dance and have a good time”. In terms of what to expect well, 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. Don’t go expecting a commentary on the current state of the world as one of his most loved songs is Boob Scotch (yeah, live performances feature both). 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.
One of the finest extant Americana outfits are touring a set based around the twentieth anniversary of their breakthrough LP Through the Trees. Whilst we’re all used to the extensive luxurious repackaging & extras of key albums (this sky blue-coloured vinyl comes with an exclusive Invisible Trees bonus CD) not many reissues include “bickering” amongst out-takes and live cuts. Mr & Mrs Sparks are skilled players and write quality songs, but they also fill their set with banter and background and, yes, bickering – albeit good natured. A real treat of a night out.
Alas a gig clash with Red Ray, but as mentioned those guys are all over town this month so eases the pain of the choice. PDH draw on a long tradition of British musical styles for an ostensibly folkish sound but bring in plenty of Americana too (their excellent tune Devon Brigade was nominated by the Americana Music Association UK in their UK Song of the Year 2017 category). Live they can raise the roof with raucousness but aren’t afraid to temper the rambunctiousness with some quieter tunes and sublime vocals bind the whole shebang together. Whilst you are cutting a rug, listen out to the words too, lyrics are far ranging – personal to political with a plenty of humour woven into the subject matter.
Cheese & Grain: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th Mar
A bittersweet Saturday night as this is a date on the final year of full touring for The Pretty Things, after 55 years hard service in the name of rock n roll. As well as a box set of S.F. Sorrow, the guys have a new studio recording out in the autumn and this will be a belter of a night despite the finality. Support comes from Dr. Feelgood, so a rather fine line up. Sunday features Albert Lee headlining with a full band and he should need no introduction (if you need to know then he’s one of the best guitar players you’ve never heard of) and he’s supported by Johnny Mars & his All Star Express, harmonica led R&B mayhem in excelsis. An excellent line up for just thirty five of your English pounds.
FFS another clash: Sarah Darling (purveyor of Dream Country) will be bringing her jazzy, poppy (er, pop infused) country to the Lantern as part of her biggest tour of the UK yet. Sure, her sound and tune are kinda traditional and she does sing of romance, and love lost and found but isn’t afraid to dive in to tougher subject matter, as on Wasted, tackling addiction within a relationship. Alas if you are hankering for a night of live music then you’re faced with a difficult choice because across town we have…
The Secret Sisters, who overcame bankruptcy, being dropped by their label and a court case with their manager before recording You Don’t Own Me Anymore – their most recent album clawed out of the abyss after they contemplated quitting the business of show. Sisters by name and sisters by birth Laura and Lydia Rogers have that marvellous sibling harmony thing in spades – country meets doo-wop folky soul just about covers their range, but whatever the genre their harmonies are sublime. What a shame it’s necessary to choose between two great acts.
If you want to enjoy a night of TexMexicana (do ya see what I did there?) then at least you can do so without being forced to miss another act as Calexico aren’t part of a gig clash. They’re on their ninth album and The Thread That Keeps Us is a vibrant offering, a bit less polished and a bit more noisy perhaps and the tunes are gonna translate well on the stage. He fellas have been doing this for a long time now and are renowned for delivering on stage. Just don’t mention indie-mariachi…the Guardian did, but they used quote marks so I think they got away with it…
As mentioned above, it’s pleasing to report that the blues is packed with talented ladies (as are Americana and Country of course) and the Tunnels hosts the west country date for the Ladies of the Blues Tour featuring Kyla Brox, Connie Lush and Erja Lyytinen. Brox is at the soul end of the blues spectrum whilst Lush is definitely an old school blues belter and Lyytinen is a superb slide player, so there’s plenty of variety and all of them demonstrate there’s life in them blues in this WTF LOL # age of social media driven solipsism.
Hearts of Glass is Chapman’s thirteenth solo album and she’ll be performing songs from it at St George’s but alas she is also part of the final gig clash of the month. BNC is a wicked songwriter (big hits for Tanya Tucker and Willie Nelson) and has crossed over from being a pop artist (remember in the Picks world, pop is short for Popular not a pejorative) and built a formidable oeuvre despite some personal tragedies, and is a bit of a renaissance girl (a collection of Latin hymns, a double LP of sacred songs sung in nine different languages and, well, check her website – an inspirational career). This will be a fabulous night with support from the excellent Robert Vincent fresh from the Old Grey Whistle Test – how fabulous to be able to write that, #bringitback.
Picott is touring his latest release Out Past the Wires, which is intriguingly available with a collection of short stories based on some of the characters in the tunes – a fabulous concept in this instantaneous streaming who needs physical product age. This 22 song collection is full of tales that are political with a small “p” and Picott is an astute writer, often taking a view askance and not writing about the bleedin’ obvious. As with his previous recordings Americana and folk feature but he’s got a bit of rock in the mix to. A hard choice but rest assured pick either of these two gigs and you’re guaranteed a great night with either of a fine pair of songwriters.
This band’s bio is so entertaining it has to be quoted: “…curers of all ills, fixers of all breaks and the dandiest lions in the city of Bristol…FIVE of the finest oak-aged musicians the right side of the grave from the wrong side of town…listen-up close now because <they> are guaranteed to defy the laws of science and deliver to your ears the sweetest, sleaziest sounds you’ll ever hear…half a pound of country, 3 cups of rock and roll and half-a-pinch of soul…guaranteed, GUARANTEED to satisfy”. Surely there’s no finer way to end the month? Stop press: the guys have also announced shows at The Blue Lagoon on the 9th and the The Cat & Wheel on the 17th .
Further Ahead:
Bloody hell, that was a lot to take in but April and May are looking busy too. If you don’t want to miss out on a choice gig then have a squint below and get planning, plenty of these are selling fast so don’t be tardy with your purchasing.
Blitzen Trapper, Fleece: Monday, 09 Apr
Tom Paxton, St. Georges: Tuesday, 10 Apr
Ian Siegel, Tunnels: Monday, 16 Apr
Pat McManus, Tunnels: Tuesday, 17 Apr
The White Buffalo, Academy: Friday 20 Apr
Josh Rouse, Lantern: Tuesday, 24 Apr
Grant Lee Phillips, Lantern: Wednesday, 25 Apr
Dead South, Anson: Saturday, 28 Apr
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Old Duke: Wednesday, 02 May
Eric Bibb, St. Georges: Friday, 04 May
Brothers Osbourne, Academy: Monday, 07 May
Deep Dark Woods, Tunnels: Tuesday, 15 May
I’m with Her, Station: Wednesday, 16 May
The Shires, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 16 May
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Golden Lion: Saturday, 19 May
The Rosellys, Golden Lion: Sunday, 20 May
Elles Bailey, Tunnels: Thursday, 31 May
Gretchen Peters, St. Georges: Saturday, 02 Jun
Lamont Dozier, St. Georges: Monday, 11 Jun
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Old Duke: Thursday, 30 Aug
All pix by John Morgan
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