Review: Patty Griffin, Trinity

Frankie Lee has released his first LP American Dreamer and it’s one of those albums that you play once and think it sounds good, play it twice and realise it’s rather special and by the third time you feels like you’ve been living with it for a decade. That recording features a band but for his support slot tonight it’s just Lee, an acoustic and a harmonica. Oh, and some slyly amusing stage banter that somehow manages to encapsulate quilt making, railway journeys, horses and an encounter with a drunk outside a Ladbrooks. The recordings feature subtle folky country stylings, understated and providing a sympathetic setting for Lee’s plaintive tenor. Live the strength of the songs comes over without the band, especially American Dreamer and closer High and Dry. Lyrically there’s a mix of wry lyrics dissecting relationships, but there’s heartfelt social commentary too – American Dreamer itself and Buffalo too; the songs a transmission from 21st century America as seen by a restless wanderer. Playing solo showcases Lee’s guitar skills: great picking, some stinging solos and on Eastside Blues he demonstrates a command of, well, the blues. Rumour has it he’s returning to the Tunnels – keep a watch on our listings and make sure you score your ticket early, this guy won’t be playing small venues for long.

Opening her set with a bellicose Move Up and following it with a bolshie double whammy of Isn’t One Way and Gunpowder Patty Griffin was off to an up-tempo start. Thereafter is was open season in terms of tempo, mood and stylings as Griffin and her highly versatile backing band played a set of what can only be described as progressive Americana. The genre busting mix gave us gospel tunes, field hollers, gothic country and mandolin driven acoustic folk. Not to mention an encore from the Mexican revolution. With a less accomplished band and a less skilful songwriter, the eclectic set could have been jarring and disjointed, but glued together by Griffin’s powerful vocals the whole shebang worked like a dream.

The backbone of the set was drawn from new LP Servant of Love, the title track standing out particularly – a gorgeous piano led vocal showcase. A powerful rendition of Ohio was introduced with comments about how slavery is relatively recent history, and tied the tune nicely into the whole music as revolutionary communication thang. Whilst the musicianship on display thrilled throughout the set, the band’s acappella performance of Death’s Got a Warrant was a sublime moment, the tune echoing beautifully around the Trinity, raising hair on the back of the neck and receiving a huge ovation.

Griffin proved an amiable presence throughout the show with warm banter, compliments to the venue and its staff; and she also raised a massive home town cheer when she mentioned she was hoping to find some eligible male relatives of the most handsome actor in the world – a Bristolian natch (no, not Dave Prowse – Cary Grant). Tonight’s show amply demonstrated why Patty Griffin has received numerous awards and critical accolades – she’s a talented  song writer, not willing to be confined by the expectations of any genre and writes songs that connect with people; and as she demonstrated tonight, a great guitar player too. A few days ago Jason Isbell delivered a strong contender for gig of the year but Patty Griffin and band are gonna be hard to beat too.

Photo Credit: John Morgan