Tuesday 29th January, Bush Hall, London, Ashley Monroe. It’s a chilly one outside with sleet and snow predicted but it’s warm in Bush Hall both in body temperature and love for Ashley Monroe. Having witnessed her first UK shows a few years back in the same venue I knew what to expect. I wasn’t disappointed. Wow, wow, wow what a voice. Its depth, tone and range is stunning.
 
Arriving in good time we were treated to a short set by support act Sean McConnell. He has a fine voice and the songs reminded me very much of Ryan Adams, not vocally necessarily but in song structure and sound. Will be definitely checking out some of his stuff.
 
Resplendent in a red twenties flapper dress befitting the quirky venue and after a false start with a faulty PA we are soon treated to seventy minutes of the finest country music you will hear. Great songs about life, mothers, children, men, loss and dogs delivered in the classic female country voice.
 
With four albums now under her belt the setlist pulls from the last three. There is a natural leaning to her excellent album from last year ‘Sparrow’ and Ashley’s voice is not more beautiful than on the title track ‘Orphans’ (well it has the word sparrow in it).
 
Accompanied by just an acoustic guitar and grand piano, with the sound in the venue crystal clear I defy anyone to reproduce this on even the most expensive hifi. Its hair tingling stuff. Her voice moves effortlessly from delicate and fragile through to one of immense power and like one of her songs, mighty like a rose.
 
On a night of highlights ‘Blade’ is stunning as is ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ and the floor stomping ‘Weed instead of roses’ brings a smile to everyone’s face. Time for a fine version of the Parson’s classic ‘Hickory Wind’ before we are sent out into the West London wind.
 
This was the first of two sold out shows in Bush Hall for this Nashvillian and I’m sure she will be playing bigger rooms next time she is over here for which I can’t wait. Hey Ashley, if you’re reading this maybe play me a show in your backyard when I’m there in March.
 
Till next time keep on country rockin’ y’all.

Thursday 24th January, Hyde Tavern, Winchester, Caleb Caudle and Danni Nicholls. It’s a ninety minute drive west into Hampshire for this gig tonight in the cathedral town of Winchester. The Hyde Tavern is a tiny local boozer with the stage area in the even tinier cellar area where unless you are Goblin height every ceiling presents a concussion hazard. There’s a touch of Alice in Wonderland as I cram through a small door to get into the performance area. Quirky doesn’t cut it and the stage area comes complete with its own log fire to the left which is welcome but slightly surreal on this cold night in January.
 
It’s a sold out show tonight for this dual headline show and for me I wouldn’t miss this just to see Caleb Caudle’s first shows in the UK. I would normally have checked into the London show but I am already at Ashley Monroe that night and so I join the other thirty or so hardy souls here.
 
Caleb Caudle
 
I have been a fan of Caleb’s for a few years now and as I mentioned to him after the show he joins a list of fellow North Carolinians who are among my favourite artists including HC McEntire, BJ Barham of American Aquarium and the great Mike Taylor and Phil Cook of Hiss Golden Messenger.
 
Tonight’s show is a mixture of oldies and a showcase for a bunch of new tracks which will feature on his yet to be recorded new album set to be played out in the cabin that Johnny Cash built. I have written before that there is nothing purer than just an artist and acoustic guitar and that this is the truest test of a songwriter and performer. What’s clear is that Caleb is great at both. The sound is obviously stripped back tonight and all the better for it to showcase his excellent voice and range. His relaxed self-deprecating between-song chat is immediately warming to the crowd and he fills what can be uncomfortable silences effortlessly.
 
The new songs more than hold their own with ‘Front Porch’ and ‘Feelin Free’ particularly strong. But obvious highlights for me were great versions of ‘Lost without you’ and ‘NYC in the Rain’ from last year’s excellent album ‘Crushed Coins’. Sadly no time for one of my favourites ‘Piedmont Sky’ but hopefully next time
 
So a great albeit far too short set from someone who should be receiving far more attention over here and hopefully this tour will help spread the word.
 
Danni Nicholls
 
It’s been four years since Danni’s last album, the fine ‘Mockingbird Lane’ and she’s used that time to get over a break up, have a quiet period of self-reflection and record a new album in the Tennessee woods, coming out later this year.
 
The set slips effortlessly between tracks from her first two albums and new songs with a special mention for ‘ancient embers’ a lovely song that really showcases her deep rich voice that’s part Bedford, part Nashville but wholly beautiful. She has great range from the sultry low tones to the real highs on a track like ‘Long Road Home’ but it is the stunningly fragile ‘Beautifully Broken’ that stands out tonight. Wow what a voice.
 
A great double bill tonight of two of the finest around, both of whom are adding some good new songs to their catalogues, performed in a stripped back no nonsense room in front of a rapt appreciative audience who even managed a singalong and a rarely heard hum along.
 
It’s been a great start to gigs in 2019, a year where I will pass the 800 mark in concerts attended and long may it continue.
 
Keep on country rockin’ y’all.

thanks to @richteee for letting my photo Caleb's setlist.

Tuesday 22nd January, Dingwalls, London, Durand Jones and the Indications. It’s the first gig of the year on a snowy night in North London and we’re looking forward to a night of sweet soul music in a sold out Dingwalls.
 
For those that don’t know, the Indications are a five piece band led by Durand Jones’ classic soul voice digging deep in the style of Sam Cooke with a touch of James Brown backed by the falsetto of drummer Aaron Frazer adding the contrast when taking lead and perfect harmonies when not. The rhythm section are tight and understated but ensuring that the musicality of the show is top drawer. The sound is spot on allowing the two vocalists to be heard perfectly whilst not consigning the music way back in the mix and any concerns about a lack of any brass section are quickly dispelled by the band and whilst brass will always enhance the sound it’s not missed tonight. All that said its Jones’ voice that is the star of the show singing with real depth and emotion taking us right back to the sixties which was arguably the heyday of soul.
 
With a new album in the wings tonight’s show is blend of oldies and newbies with the new songs more than holding their own. The pacing tonight is perfect with a mixture of up tempo songs that take us to the top of the mountain followed by slow sultry groove ballads that ease us back down the other side.
 
The show flies by and eighty minutes later it’s all over leaving us all wanting more. Highlights from the old tracks are probably fairly obvious with a lovely version of ‘Is it any wonder’ contrasting with the groovy ‘Smile’. The band resplendent in matching polo neck jumpers lead us all in a rousing cover of ‘Don’t let me Down’ to end the night.
 
A great soulful start to the year and these guys have all of the ingredients to quickly rise up the musical ladder and I would expect them to be playing bigger venues real soon.
 
Keep on soulful rockin’ y’all.

Top Ten gigs of 2018
 
Well 2018 was an epic year for gigs for me. Sixty shows, all of which I enjoyed to some degree or another but I have to say the standard of live music is certainly the best it has ever been no matter what genre or style of music.
 
This year I should break the 800 mark in my 38 years of gig going. Thanks should go to all of my various gig going pals from Graham, who has been with me from the start at Whitesnake in 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon ( and it will always be known as that no matter how many name changes it has endured over the years), John, Antony, ‘the Twin Towers’ Gavin and Martin, Birds Eye Andy, big Al, the other Andy, Rog, Christine, the kids and of course my long suffering wife Anne, who has been dragged along to more than her fair share of concerts too. Thanks to all the venues, sound men, lighting guys, promoters and artists who have entertained me over the years.
 
So after a couple of weeks of reflection below is my list of the top ten gigs I went to last year. That said I am cheating because I am naming eleven.
 
David Byrne, Hammersmith Odeon. This was not a gig in any usual context or meaning of the word. It was quite simply the most stunning musical experience I have ever witnessed. Two hours of non-stop Talking Head/Byrne solo materials choreographed with military precision with about twenty musicians constantly moving and playing contained within a beaded prison. Mesmerising.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/it-may-not-be-utopia-but-its-audio-visual-heaven
 
The next ten are in no particular order but all scored a five star review from me at the time.
 
Pearl Jam, the O2 Arena. I was lucky to be at both O2 shows and there was nothing to choose between them both. Different sets but with the same energy. Arguably still the finest rock band on the planet at the moment.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/rockin-in-the-free-world-with-pearl-jam
 
The Sheepdogs, the Lexington. New band for me and although hailing from Canada delivered perfect Southern Rock masterclass in probably the best small venue in London.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/rocking-wolves-in-sheeps-clothing
 
Striking Matches, Bush Hall. Stunning demonstration of country blues rock from this couple. Greta songs backed by two phenomenal guitarists.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/taking-some-good-medicine-with-striking-matches
 
Courtney Marie Andrews (full band), Islington Assembly Hall. The voice, the band, the sound, the show. Absolute perfection.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/no-rough-edges-to-this-performance
 
Larkin Poe, Islington Assembly Hall. The future of the blues is safe with these two sisters who rock like the proverbial ba$tard.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/have-faith-with-a-peach-of-a-show
 
Lera Lynn, Omeara. First of two entries for this new venue to me this year. The intimate setting showcased Lynn’s haunting vocals that you cannot help but be moved.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/you-must-meet-lera-lynn-she-plays-well-with-others
 
Midland, Omeara. Back to basics show for these guys. A proper old fashioned country rock show without the polish and great to see them in a small setting which you probably won’t be able to do now.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/gettin-our-rocks-off-with-midland
 
The Wandering Hearts, Islington Assembly Hall. New kids on the UK country scene. Not heard harmonies and tunes like this since Fleetwood Mac in their heyday.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/calls-for-silence-but-going-wild-for-these-wandering-hearts
 
Nada Surf, the Dome. Power pop heaven for one of my favourite bands playing one of my favourite albums.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/letting-go-with-nada-surf
 
John Hiatt, Under the Bridge. Another one album show, this time with the master and the original band dusting off ‘Slow Turning’. One of the great living songwriters still delivering.
 
Full review https://garyw66.weebly.com/blog/riding-along-with-john-hiatt
 
This has been tricky to whittle down but special mentions to Whitney Rose, Kelly Willis, Shelby Lynne and Alison Moorer, Eli Paperboy Reed, Matthew Sweet and Jaime Wyatt.