Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: May 2018
Hello and welcome to May – not as busy as our record Picks back in March but still plenty of shows to both tempt anyone with a passing interest in Americana, Blues & Country and to satisfy the die-hard fans alike. Just a single gig clash month, which is a relief, and anyway one of the shows has sold out so the clash is moot. As usual plenty of action with our local outfits, all of whom punch above their weight in terms of quality and commitment. Give your feet and your ears a treat and make it your goal to see at least one band with a BS postcode this month. See you down the front.
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The Reprobates are guilty of being a rambunctious night of fun with more quality songs than you can shake a banjo at all delivered with charm and passion. They recently brought the house down supporting The Alabama Three and are well worth you attention, especially if you’re a fan of the grittier end of the country spectrum. And even if you’re not, they are an eminently likeable live act who never fail to convert the Americana agnostics. You can also catch the band at the Golden Lion on the 19th, so no excuses for not catching them.
This fella was at the Cheese & Grain last month and what we said then still stands and bears repeating (and also helps us achieve our sustainability targets for recycling): There are plenty of electric blues guitar players out there, and a plethora of blues rock bands as regular readers (viewers? clickers?) will know, but Mr Bibb has found a different blues. A blues that is predominantly acoustic and draws from world music, folk and more to deliver refreshing alternative to other players in thrall to authenticity. He’s remarkably prolific too, latest outing Migration Blues is his 21st studio LP and 37th recording in total. Like many recent releases it’s inspired by current affairs – comparing the plight of modern day refugees with that of former slaves and sharecroppers migrating from the rural South to the North of America (and bringing with them the blues). I guess the abundance of inspiring and invigorating music is the silver lining on the cloud of right wing fuck-wittery dominating politics lately. Go to the show and get your mojo recharged.
K, D & L have sold a massive amount of records and sold a vast number of tickets to their headline shows, as well as delivering well regarded supports slots and festival appearances. The family unit, and their extended family band, have done so whilst building a multi-genre chassis on the hot rod frame of rockabilly. Needless to say the shows are made for sweaty dancing and will fill you with so much joie de vivre that you’ll forget the working week awaits you. Support comes from Lewis Floyd Henry who looks like being the most fabulous fun: a self-confessed “One Man, Multi Genre, Traveling Sonic Medicine Show”, he’s as home busking as he is on stage and any man who can mash up Ace of Spades with Notorious B.I.G. whilst channelling Jimi without going Chernobyl has to be worth a half hour of your time and an early arrival. Check it brothers and sisters.
There’s a shit load of great bands taking the southern rock blueprint and updating it for the 21st century whilst remaining true to its spirit. The genre has been reinvigorated and in truth, many of the bands doing so launched their success here in the UK (Black Stone Cherry started out at the Fleece before gravitating to the Academy and now sell out arenas). Last seen in the country supporting The Cadillac Three, these fellas kick off their first headlining tour here in Bristol. They’re two LPs in and they have cover a lot of ground, plenty of country but they’re not afraid to rock and there’s a pleasing earthiness to their sound. Expect a raucous night and if you like, check out Blackberry Smoke, in town in the autumn and they sold out last time. Oh, and Whiskey Myers – triple guitar heaven.
This guy is effectively Hayseed Dixie and he’s out on his own for this run so this won’t be quite as full on as a show with the mothership. He will be joined by percussionist Pete Robbins and covering band tunes, covers and his solo work. So whilst it won’t be full on it will undoubtedly be rambunctious, and quite possibly scatological. He’s a fine musician and accomplished raconteur so this will be a great antidote to the mid-week blues.
Hannah Williams & the Affirmations
This was originally a March gig but was postponed due to the second whiteout so great the band are back in town. And we can now exceed our sustainability target with another piece of recycling: 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 song writing 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 yours.
According to their website, “The Deep Dark Woods fuse spooky prairie folk with Texas country blues and California psychedelia” and their latest recording Yarrow promises “Floods and plagues, ghosts and slaughter: woe to those who populate the songs of…A gentle summer breeze swings the gallows ropes, flowers bloom callously on lovers’ graves. To be frank they had me at Spooky prairie folk… Their Canadian background naturally begs Band comparisons but they’re a way darker proposition. Don’t come expecting feel good anthems to uplift your spirits, but come expecting your soul to be enriched.
Colston Hall: Wednesday, 16 May
Hands up if you’re surprised that this show has sold out? This band keeps going from strength to strength and seem to be taking a tremendous amount of good will with them as well as their ever growing fan base. All of the facts are on line and don’t need repeating, certainly not if you’re a fan and have a ticket. If not, then chuck aside any prejudices you might have and try ‘em out, some classy song writing to be found. Support from Andy Brown and Sinead Burgess a fine pair of singer songwriters, so worth an early arrival to get you in the mood.
So ye didn’t get a ticket for the Shires and this Wednesday is the only night of the month when you have permission to rock? Don’t be despondent, what you need to do is click on the link above and get a ticket for a night of exquisite harmonies and instrumental prowess. These artists all have successful solo careers and band setups, but have got together for this project, which is at the folksier end of the ABC spectrum and are touring their recently released debut album, See You Around. The platter was recorded in Bath with Ethan Johns at Real World Studio so that practically makes them local(ish) and this is a standing show with no support. So a nice little midweek livener then and chance to see some fabulous talent up close and personal.
Kingsdown Vaults: Saturday, 19 May
Always good to have the peripatetic Rosellys back in town, and especially good when it’s a full band set. Those who are in the known will already have this in their diary, but for those not in the know this band are one of the finest exponents of Americana, creators of cracking tunes that come to live on stage. Grab a copy / download The Granary Sessions, it’s a classic collection and you’ll find yourself clicking a ticket by the fourth song. Guaranteed. Sort of…but seriously, great local talent in a small venue – it’s you civic duty and a duty that will reward you handsomely.
Cheese n Grain: Saturday, 26 May
This band plays with almost the frequency that the Donald tweets fathomless stupidity. Given the amount of live work they do needless to say they are an excellent live proposition, their blues rock taking on more of a classic rock feel lately. They’ve been deservedly harvesting plaudits and awards all over the place and have a busy year with their own dates, festival slots and are also supporting Europe, so a follow up to Exile & Grace may be a way off. If you’re a fan of Free then you’ll find something to like.
Ms Bailey has been touring the ass off of her debut record Wildfire, gathering up a lot of fans on the way and hoovering up plenty of good press. That’s no surprise as she’s found a sweet spot where the blues meet country all topped off with her distinctive voice. The Tunnels show will be an ideal opportunity to see her strut her stuff in an intimate setting (her stuff being an engaging mix of soul & country with gospel inflected blues).
Further Ahead:
Had trouble picking out your shows for May? It don’t get any easier brothers & sisters – just take a look at how long the list is and marvel at the quality we have in the months ahead, including the return of the marvellous River Town Festival. Needless to say there are shows selling fast and that will sell out, so get in sharpish, and remember to support our smaller venues as much as you can, great bands in great venues, and every arena and stadium act playing started out playing rooms like the Louie, the Thunderbolt, the Golden Lion and the Thekla.
Fantastic Negrita, Thekla: Saturday, 02 Jun
Gretchen Peters, St. Georges: Saturday, 02 Jun
Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay, Wardrobe: Tuesday, 05 Jun
Ragged Union, Horseshoe: Wednesday, 06 Jun
Lamont Dozier, St. Georges: Monday, 11 Jun
Lindi Ortega, Fleece: Wednesday, 13 Jun
Oli Brown, Tunnels: Friday, 22 Jun
Cordovas, Louisiana: Friday, 29 Jun
Husky Tones, Louisiana: Saturday, 30 Jun
Ragged Union, Blue Lagoon: Friday, 06 Jul
White Buffalo, Academy: Wednesday, 11 Jul
Ruzz Guitar, Louisiana: Thursday, 12 Jul
Josh Rouse, Lantern: Friday, 13 Jul
Steve Earle, Academy: Wednesday, 18 Jul
Jess & the Bandits, Wardrobe: Saturday, 21 Jul
Grahams, Wardrobe: Sunday, 22 Jul
Jade Bird, Holly Macve & Emily Barker, St. Georges: Sunday, 22 Jul
Graham Nash, St. Georges: Wednesday, 25 Jul
Roseanne Cash, St. Georges: Thursday, 26 Jul
Catfish, Tunnels: Saturday, 04 Aug
John Moreland, St. Georges: Sunday, 05 Aug
Ragged Union, Railway Tavern: Saturday, 11 Aug
Sons of Bill, Tunnels: Wednesday, 15 Aug
Rising Appalchia, Thekla: Friday, 17 Aug
Rev Peyton & His Big Damn Band, Thekla: Wednesday, 22 Aug
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Old Duke: Thursday, 30 Aug
Ragged Union, Cat & Wheel: Saturday, 01 Sep
Devon Allman, Fleece: Sunday, 02 Sep
Joey Landreth, Louisiana: Monday, 03 Sep
Jim White, Fleece: Wednesday, 05 Sep
Hogjaw, Tunnels: Thursday, 18 Oct
Drake White, Thekla: Saturday, 20 Oct
Old Dominion, Trinity: Monday, 05 Nov
Blackberry Smoke, Academy: Sunday, 11 Nov
Midland, Trinity: Tuesday, 27 Nov
Dan Patlansky, Tunnels: Friday, 30 Nov
All pix by John Morgan
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