Night three of four gigs, four different venues and four different bands in five days.
Tonight it’s a new artist for me, recently signed to Loose records over here, Kassi Valazza. With a full on disco going on upstairs at the Lamb I retire early downstairs to the basement room where I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful Ann Liu Cannon. She had a lovely soulful voice and sang about rabbits what could be better.
Kassi tonight is joined by a keyboardist and pedal steel player and they do their best to perform these quiet country folk songs and not be side-tracked too much by the rave in the bar upstairs and by and large they achieved this although not with said keyboardist throwing some shapes between songs.
With a new album out at the end of May we are treated to a selection of songs from across the catalogue so far. It’s a sparse setting downstairs and with a sold out show it adds even more to the lovely intimacy in this tiny venue. This more than suits this acoustic led evening of songs about love, loss and family. Kassi’s vocals are strong in that classic country way and the guy on pedal was amazing. (Sorry forgot his name). There’s a genuine warmth between the players on stage and the in between chat was funny and natural.
I was so glad that in this short sixty minute set there was room for my personal favourite ‘Johnny Dear’. A lovely evening and look forward to seeing her again next time she is here to support the new record.
Keep on country folkin’ y’all