Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: October 2017
October has a terrific selection of nights out for your delectation and delight, the usual mix of venues and national & international acts and just the one gig clash. There’s much to enjoy regardless of your tastes and some fine support bands too – always get there early for the openers, who knows who you might discover? See you down the front.
is needed now More than ever
According to a well-known (and notoriously accurate) free online encyclopaedia Mr Cleaves has had the following day jobs: janitor, warehouse rat (me neither), ice cream truck driver, rope-tow operator (nope, me neither again), film developer, groundskeeper, meter reader, and pizza delivery driver…and best of all human guinea pig. All of this has fed into a decent sized discography full of folky Americana, well-crafted songs that cock a snook at genre boundaries. Yes, this is a Sunday gig but don’t slump in front of the telly killing the hours ‘til you’re back at work – go and get yourself a couple of hours of theatre sized talent in a delightful small venue.
This outfit have been together since 1998 and have amassed a massive amount of recordings & hit singles; collaborations & co-writes; sold out shows and unique residencies (The Ryman Auditorium earlier this year) along with both critical acclaim and a fervent (and growing) fan base. Their sound has always been Pop in cahoots with Country but their four part harmonies give ‘em an edge that differentiates them from that crowded scene. Their last LP Wanderlust may have been produced by Pharrell Williams (and why not – it’s all music) giving them a fresh sound that’s neither sacrificed their strengths nor does it sound like a glory grab (they’ve achieved plenty of success on their own merits). Jitters should note their tune Pain Killer is an original and not the obvious cover.
WEH is an exceptionally gifted guitar player who manages to fuse Nashville with Download in his playing and has graced two exceptional bands (Jason & the Scorchers and Dan Baird’s Homemade Sin); sorry, three – Drivin’ n Cryin’ too). He also goes out doing his own thing (last in town at Beeses Tea Gardens) and is part of a cracking bill here at the ‘bolt. He’s joined by Eric Ambel (out of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Yahoos and Steve Earle & the Dukes) and Webb Wilder, both of whom know their way round a tune and a geetar. So this is going to be a six sting storm and for just fourteen of your English pounds. The tour’s aptly billed as The Three Aces, with each playing a set alongside a killer shared rhythm section, then no doubt a twangy, all axes on deck hefty guitarmageddon for the finale.
There’s a lot of people getting their pants in a pickle trying to describe Front Country: is it progressive bluegrass or is it progressive roots-pop; is it folk pop or is it progressive pop roots bluegrass? Who the hell cares, it’s damn fine music that splices together several decades of influences to make a joyful, accomplished and entertaining sound that speaks for itself. The intimate setting of the Wardrobe means that this is going to be up close and personal night of delightfully innovative music that defies categorisation and will leave you grinning like a buffoon.
This dude was last in town supporting The White Buffalo at the Trinity: armed with just a guitar, Panama and a selection of exquisite songs he won over a frankly rather partisan crowd. He’s got a careworn yet sweet voice and a knack for both slice of live vignettes and tales of love and loss but meanwhile ain’t afraid to drop some politics in to the mix (check his tune Gold Rush). I wouldn’t bother streaming current LP Ready the Horses I’d go ahead and buy it I was you – it’s a slow burning classic that deserves a physical place in your life. Cariad Harmon is our support, an Anglo / American NYC based songwriter making some waves with her folky but wiry Americana.
Let’s just acknowledge that a lot of people will know this guy via the use of Bad Things as the theme tune for True Blood but there’s more to Everett than a telly boosted tune. He’s a half or dozen or so recordings in to decade plus career and is touring latest release Dust & Dirt, a great piece of work. If you’re only familiar with that telly tune then you really should dive in – he’s not your typical big hat country dude – check Love’s Not What We Do, a state of the nation, no, world address that’s full of piss and vinegar. He’s funny too mind, have a quick squint at his news page for some amusement. Support is provided by Shannon McNally touring Black Irish, which will “…make you dance, break your heart, and save your soul” with its Blues-Americana. McNally is certainly prolific, nine albums recorded in the time it took Axl W. Rose to decide cornrows were a good look whilst recording Chinese Democracy, all released with no let-up in quality. This is a cracking double bill – get there.
As if his storied five decade career wasn’t enough (stints with Percy Mayfield, Deacon Jones & John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex; sojurns with Canned Heat, John Mayall, and his own critically acclaimed solo career) Walter Trout will be onstage courtesy of a liver donation he received in 2013. He’s arguably found his best form since moving on to borrowed time and he was already a damn fine player. Current LP We’re All In This Together is chock-a-block with guests but also packed with fine songs so expect plenty from that and more from his extensive catalogue – he’s not your average blues man so purists can expect to have their expectations confounded. The fact that support comes from Sari Schorr makes this bill close to irresistible – Schorr played an absolute blinder at The Tunnels a while back. She’s got a phenomenal voice and a knack for intriguingly unexpected song writing whilst her band The Engine Room are a killer outfit with the mighty Innes Sibun on guitar and they rock like bastards but groove like motherfunkers.
This is a great opportunity to see an up and coming talent in the beautifully intimate setting of the marvellous St.G’s. Clark has written & co-written a rake of hit tunes for some major artists but has been nurturing her own career too – a couple of studio records laid down along with a live album too – and her skills have been acknowledged with six Grammy nominations. Her tunes are a bit sneaky, often dressed up in ostensibly conventional settings but her lyrics take unexpected twists and turns, rewarding the listener after a few repeated plays. Tickets have been selling well – a second date had to be added in that London – so get yourselves organised sharpish. But you could be the victim of this month’s gig clash because there’s the small matter of….
Yeah so a lot of press refers to these guys as a folk outfit, but their raucous racket throws plenty of A & C in to the mix and all music has some Blues DNA, thus they feature in the picks. The Bierkeller, no stranger to a rambunctious gig, is the ideal venue for the band as they play up a storm that is guaranteed to get a crowd moving. The current waxing Almost Home was produced by Seth Lakeman (himself in town soon with Robert Plant) and is a great piece of work – renowned for the live show it’s good to hear the energy of the gigs captured in the studio.
Fleece: Thursday, 26 Oct
Much like Mad Dog McRae, W&tB screw around with genre & convention with their mashing of genres and for a three piece they kick up a hell of a racket. Primarily a rock band (they’ve supported Purple & Quo) they don’t deal in clichés – their blues rock is nice and fresh, modern and yet aware of its roots. It also features plenty of unusual instrumentation giving it plenty of twist. They’ve recorded four damn good records (the latest is Steal) but it’s onstage that they really come to life – another of those bands that’s been tested by the road and numerous festival dates and has not been found wanting.
Are this lot purveyors of Canadicana? Or simply a damn fine rock n roll band that fuses A, B & C into their sound? They’re certainly busy and prolific (a bit of a theme for this month’s acts) having participated in at least nineteen long players over their career, collaborated with many other acts and developed their sound to include psychedelic touches and more. Their current LP Northern Passages is their first in four years and there’s no doubt the material will take off live – not for nothing are this lot compared to The Band. There is no better way to end an excellent month of music than seeing if the Tunnels can contain the Sadies.
Further Ahead:
November is rammed, packed solid with A, B & C and there are gig clashes too, so presuming you’ve not already done so, best have a look and plan out your schedule and budget to catch as much as you can squeeze in without risking bankruptcy, jeopardising jobs and / or shattering domestic harmony.
John Mayall, Colston Hall: Sunday, 05 Nov
Harrow Fair, Tunnels: Tuesday, 07 Nov
Simon McBride, Tunnels: Monday, 13 Nov
Joanne Shaw Taylor, Colston Hall: Tuesday, 14 Nov
Ben Poole, Thunderbolt: Wednesday, 15 Nov
Cardboard Fox, St. Georges: Wednesday, 15 Nov
Crow Black Chicken, Tunnels: Wednesday, 15 Nov
Sari Schorr, Louisiana: Thursday, 16 Nov
Samantha Fish, Tunnels: Tuesday, 21 Nov
Van Morrison, Colston Hall: Tuesday, 21 Nov
Morgan Jones, Bierkeller: Thursday, 23 Nov
Tom Russell, Thekla: Thursday, 23 Nov
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, St. Georges: Friday, 24 Nov
JW Jones, Thunderbolt: Saturday, 25 Nov
Mark Lanegan, Trinity: Monday, 27 Nov
Songhoy Blues, Anson: Friday, 01 Dec
Chantel McGregor, Tunnels: Sunday, 10 Dec
Ainsley Lister, Tunnels: Tuesday, 12 Dec
Pic by Shona Cutt
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