Its night three of the three night stand and we end the week with a triple bill here as part of the Oh Boy records European Tour. Guaranteed to not be an electric instrument in sight as I head off to another church, this time north of the river.
First up is Arlo McKinley who I have to admit I didn’t know anything about coming into this show. Joined by his guitarist, he delivers a personal set of country songs with a voice not too dissimilar to Steve Earle. I look forward to his new album next month and will certainly check out his earlier records.
Next up is Kelsey Waldon, John Prine protégé, who I am much more familiar with having seen her right before lockdown with Ian Noe at Omeara. In what is becoming a theme this week Kelsey has travel woes with lost bags, etc. and having to buy clothes for the gig.
Those woes aside it’s accomplished set of newbies from the upcoming album with a few oldies thrown in for good measure. That time with John Prine has certainly paid off and the songs are beautiful and the new ones have a much more optimistic tone in light of her current happy relationship. Another fine set from the super talented Kelsey.
Show closer is Emily Scott Robinson who I had tickets to see until Covid claimed another gig. It’s her first London show but not her first trip to London after having spent a term here studying.
What is interesting about Emily and indeed all of the acts I have seen this week is not just they are so happy to be playing live music again but they feel more engaged with the audience and there is certainly more between song chat. Maybe it’s two years of pent up frustration of not being able to engage face to face dialogue with other humans.
So Emily introduces each song with an observation, an aside, a witty story or just a brief intro. There then follows the most perfect country songs delivered with that pure voice that you can’t help being moved. The acoustics of the church compliment this music to a tee and with moody lighting and the hourly bell chimes just give the night’s proceedings a real gothic feel.
I will be honest I am a latecomer to Emily’s music jumping on board the ‘American Siren’ bus last year but I will definitely be going back over her back catalogue.
The evening ends with all three acts on stage for a moving rendition of Prine’s ‘Paradise’ to complete both an excellent night of music but also close a tiring but highly enjoyable three gigs in three nights.
Keep on country rockin' y'all