Tuesday October 1st, Bush Hall, London. Sam Outlaw. A rare solo outing for me and it wasn’t a reflection of the band but other commitments, etc for my usual gig going buddies tonight. It’s a wet and windy night when we start in West London but ninety minutes later Sam Outlaw and his band have brought a bit of Nashville sunshine to this part of the world and the streets are warm and dry when we leave.

As usual for what is one of the best venues in London the sound tonight is very good, and the raised stage allows for perfect sight and sound lines. A good crowd tonight further reinforcing that the country scene in the UK is continually growing and that’s no surprise for someone of the quality of Sam Outlaw. Tonight, he’s backed by a fine band with the addition of super talented Lydia Luce, the support act, on fiddle/viola and vocals along with an excellent slide guitarist for these UK dates.
According to his Wikipedia page Outlaw describes himself as SoCal country and on record its true as he sounds a lot like the recently departed Neal Casal fronting a country band. But whether it’s because he has recently moved to Nashville his voice live is has shifted to a more traditional albeit less twangy country style.

Tonight’s set is a good blend of assorted tracks from his back catalogue, a bunch of new stuff from hopefully an imminent new album and a couple of great covers especially the Lydia led version of the Lucinda Williams song ‘Passionate Kisses’ after which Sam regales us with a great story about meeting Mary Chapin Carpenter who made the song famous.

Highlights on a night of highs were probably ‘Tenderheart’ and ‘Diamond Ring’. A word for the band who although not showy provided the perfect accompaniment driving all of the songs along without fault, well apart from a misplaced Capo but I will forgive them that.

As seems to be the norm for a gig in Bush Hall the night ended with the band unplugging and performing in the middle of the crowd ‘bluegrass’ style with a fabulous version of ‘Angeleno’. The warmth of the crowd reciprocated by the band provided a glow to all those lucky to be here tonight as we floated home on the back of that musical wave.
​
Till the next time keep on country rockin y’all

​Thursday 26th September, the Fighting Cocks, Kingston. Temples. First time visit to The Fighting Cocks for a gig and it’s nice not to have to schlep up to central London so keeping it local.
 
It’s essentially an album release show tonight with Temples new record ‘Hot Motion’ coming out tomorrow. It’s a short set that draws heavily from the new disk with a handful from their excellent debut album ‘Sun Structures’ thrown in.
 
If points were awarded for the ‘look’ then Temples get top marks finessing the 70s psychedelic rock band look down to a tee. Luckily for us the look is more than backed up by their sound. Producing a heavy groove, the sound tonight is spot on at this small, hot and sweaty sold out basement room. The emphasis tonight is certainly on the rockier side and the new songs also demonstrate this. They remind me a little of the Allah La’s another contemporary psych rock band but with less jingle and jangle and a heavier fuller sound.
 
The new songs stand up well with set closer and album title track ‘Hot Motion’ following closely behind first album belters ‘Shelter Song’ and ‘Mesmerise’ it’s a storming finale.
 
Our only complaint is it’s all over too quickly but it was nice to bump into the band at a local watering hole afterwards to compliment them on the set
 
Till the next time keep on psychedelic rockin y’all

Tuesday 17th September, Green Note, London. Katy Hurt. Despite attending over eight hundred gigs this is a first time visit to Green Note. What a lovely treat it is. With many small venues closing down in London (RIP The Borderline) it’s nice to be in a cosy sold out show in this Camden institution.
 
It’s a double header tonight courtesy of Belles and Gals with Emily Faye providing the support for Katy. We are treated to a beautiful stripped back 8ish song set showcasing Emily’s delicate voice ably supported by the super talented Michael Clancy on guitar and backing vocals and George Price on bass.
 
It’s certainly a special starter for the main course Katy Hurt, again with a stripped back band on acoustic, double bass and Cajon crammed onto the tiny stage. First up though it’s just Katy and another super talented guitarist vocalist Gab Zsapka opening the set as duo. The rhythm section soon joins and set draws heavily from the excellent EP this year ‘Unfinished Business’ with assorted oldies, newbies and a superb cover of the Patsy Cline classic ‘Crazy’.
 
What’s amazing about Katy is not the superb voice, although it is, but that at only 21 she already has a great set of eighty minutes’ worth of fine songs to delve into plus a few more in her back pocket if she need them
 
Although a Brit she did live in the US for a time which is where her love of country was nurtured and this does lend authenticity to her sound which I find lacking or insincere in some UK country acts (no names…). There’s more depth and style to her voice and songwriting than the sometimes formulaic garbage produced by some of the aforementioned acts.
 
Although an acoustic show there’s plenty of room for Gab to showcase his licks and I certainly will catch them again plugged in.
 
Tricky to pick a highlight tonight such was the quality on offer but the title track of the EP ‘Unfinished Business’ was spot on as was ‘Fire’ from previous EP ‘Pieces of Me’.
 
A fantastically enjoyable night further reinforcing that female country is possibly the most exciting and rewarding genre of music and Katy can certainly stand tall with the likes of Margo Price, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Whitney Rose, etc.
 
Till the next time keep on country rockin y’all

Friday 6th September, the Keep, Guildford. Dylan LeBlanc. So this is the final night of three gigs in three days for me and after great shows from Charlie Parr, Native Harrow and Frankie Lee this week we have saved the best till last.  

​Before the review a massive shout out to Howard @peoplemusic for putting on another super show. I don’t know how he persuades these acts to come out to leafy Surrey but I am glad he does and I have seen great shows at The Keep including Courtney Marie Andrews, Phil Cook, Charlie Parr and Carson McHone in the last couple of years
 
Due to a holiday clash I missed Dylan last year when he was over so I wasn’t going to miss this show tonight. It sold out long ago and the seventy or so crammed into this tiny pub are certainly the lucky ones. I was impressed that there was enough room for the whole band but somehow we all fitted. LeBlanc is backed tonight by old friends of his The Pollies (check out last year’s excellent ‘Transmissions’). (Ed’s note, shame no support set tonight but a minor quibble)
 
With Dylan and the band coming on stage at 8.30 you could be forgiven that we’d get an hour’s set and then they’d be off. How wrong I was. What we were treated to was an hour and forty five minutes of the finest rock n roll music you are likely to hear. With a voice reminiscent of early Ryan Adams and continuing that theme the band are as tight as Adam’s band the Cardinals.
 
I don’t whether it was because it’s a Friday night but everyone is on it tonight. The crowd get louder after every song, the band are playing freely, having a laugh and the enthusiasm from all sides is infectious. Dylan even remarks that they are having much better time than they thought they would.
 
Dylan is over here promoting, I think a career highlight, album ‘Renegade’ and we are treated to most of this along with a few oldies. The band retire leaving Dylan alone with just an acoustic guitar for a couple that keeps the audience rapt in reverence for this super talented artist. The Pollies are soon back to join him for a mini three song set of their own with ‘Unknown Legend’ and ending with the excellent ‘Summertime Suicide’.
 
A fantastically enjoyable night and right up there for best gig of the year so far for me. I defy anyone including the band from not going home slightly euphoric. Good music is the best drug ever, a true legal high.
 
Till the next time keep on rockin y’all

Thursday 5th September, the Railway Inn, Winchester. Frankie Lee with Native Harrow. It’s a first time visit down the M3 to the Railway Inn in Winchester but our second dose of Frankie Lee this year who we saw supporting Strand of Oaks. We are in the loft at the Railway but it has the feel of a living room with sofas and standard lamps and it’s up close and personal with the bands sat at eye level with us.
 
We ensure that we got there early for Native Harrow who have been receiving justifiably great reviews for their beautiful album ‘Happier Now’ released last month. Devin Tuel and Stephen Harms have created some form of west coast US, English folk alchemy that warps its arms around you and carries you off to a Joni/Linda Thompson musical utopia. They don’t disappoint live and beauty of Tuel’s voice shines through accompanied by the multi-instrumentalist Harms swapping effortlessly between guitar, bass and portable keyboard. Buy the album, see them live, it’s a fine start to the evening
 
Next up its Frankie Lee currently touring his excellent second album ‘Stillwater’. Tonight he’s joined on stage by a couple of members of The Hanging Stars on pedal steel and electric guitar. The sparse arrangements suit the slightly melancholic feel to the music and his uniquely sounding voice taking in bits of Orbison, Chris Isaak and the higher range of Danny George Wilson. His songs lead you through the heartlands of America telling stories of ordinary folk with everyday problems, heart and passion.
 
His easy going stage manner is engaging especially in this intimate environment but it’s obviously the quality of the songs that’s shine through and highlights for me were probably ‘In the Blue’ and ‘I don’t want to know (John) form the new album.’
 
A great double bill tonight of Americana, (whatever that is). On tonight’s showing its two American acts producing the finest music of their careers.
 
Till the next time keep on folky, west coast rockin y’all

​Wednesday 4th September, the Lexington, London. Charlie Parr. It’s a lovely late summer evening in old London town and we are looking forward to a night of laid back acoustic blues. First up though on this double bill is JD Wilkes from the Legendary Shack Shakers. If your bag is dark, bleak, morbid, banjo led rockabilly then JD is your man. And for this packed room he certainly is. Supplementing his great banjo playing and singing is his harmonica. But more of that later. It’s a delightful 45 minutes of self-deprecating humour, tall tales and fine songs.
 
It’s the usual low key opening for Charlie Parr as he casually walks on stage, opens his guitar case, plugs in his pedal and off we go for an hour or so of the finest country storytelling blues. Armed with a half steel and beautiful full steel resonator we are taken on a musical journey taking in a fine blend of standards and Parr originals. As usual with Parr his humour comes out in between songs as he regales us with stories about big ben and a fellow big clock in Minnesota but sadly no clock and just a lake in Duluth.
 
JD joins Charlie for a couple of tracks later in the show where there’s a harmonica v steel guitar show down rattling down the musical tracks like an out of control steam train. We are taken back down with a great version of ‘Cheap Wine’ and ending the night with a barn storming gospel like rendition of ‘Aint no Grave’ with Parr holding his congregation in rapt attention.
 
Another great night with Charlie and its good see a full house in my favourite small venue in London (especially with the sad demise of the Borderline) to witness a master in action.
 
Till the next time keep on dark and broody blues rockin y’all

Monday 19th August, Bush Hall, London, Big Thief. With a an album still hot off the presses, UFOF released a few months back Big Thief have already have a new one, Two Hands, slated for release in October. Tonight’s last minute gig is acting as a showcase for this album. The big chief, Adrianne Lenker announces that they will be performing the whole album from start to finish for the very first time.
 
With many of these songs having never been performed live before the next fifty minutes or so is experimental at many times, with songs stopping and restarting, tempos changing mid song and each song is almost ‘growing up’ and developing in front of our eyes.
 
In a dimly red lit Bush Hall it’s a hushed crowd that is rapt from the very start as we are taken on an interesting musical journey. It’s quiet, its loud, its dark and moody, its upbeat, its folk its rock and this band defy you to pigeon hole them.
 
Whats clear is that there are some great tracks on this new album but for me it’s the rockier numbers that really grab you especially the 7 or so minute wig out jam at the end of one track.
 
There is little between song banter and Adrianne is clearly nervous about sharing her new baby to the world. She needn’t have worried as there is enough love from her ‘crowd family’ to see her through.
 
Once the new album is over the show continues with selected songs from this year’s first album, ironically a brand new song not even on the new album and ends on the enigmatic ‘Mary’.
 
I leave a little confused on whether I really enjoyed the show or not. The stop start nature of the new tracks made for a disjointed musical experience but I’m sure the band will grow into these new songs as they are road honed. I will use my often worn words that this was not a great gig but a gig of great moments.
 
Till the next time keep on dark and brooding rockin y’all

​Saturday 27th July, The Borderline, London, Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory. It’s a rare night that the four old amigos all get together for a gig but old timers John, Graham and Andy hit The Borderline for the very last time.
 
Before the gig review I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the closure of arguably London’s best small venue. Anyone who is anyone has played this tiny stage. I have been there over seventy times and is still my most visited venue. Whilst the refurb a few backs ultimately made it a far more comfortable experience I can’t help think the character of the old place was lost. The removal of the photos at the entrance and the stairwell cataloguing everyone who had played there, coupled with the covering up of the iconic logo on the back wall seemed to whitewash (or blackwash in this instance) the history of the place. It will always have a special place in my heart and some of my most memorable gigs have happened on that stage ranging from Tony Joe White, many Chuck Prophet and Rockingbirds gigs through Ryan Bingham, Jason Isbell, Chris Whitely and Dawes to name a few. It’s a sad chapter to close for me and a nail in the coffin for small venues in London with this one another example succumbing to greedy landlords and councils. Quite what the night Czar of London Amy Lame is actually doing is beyond me.
 
Anyhoo onto the gig. The last time we saw this same band at The Borderline some old fans walked out moaning that it wasn’t the blues. This incarnation of AYH is an electric blues band which is very different from Alvin’s usual laid back acoustic blues style. Sadly for those ignorant people this is most definitely the blues.
 
Stylistically tonight though the tunes range from straight blues covers, gospel songs, country songs, some AYH originals plus a great cover of the Mike Campbell penned ‘I don’t wanna fight’ from Petty’s ‘Echo’ album. The switching of styles and the constant guitar changes takes a little away of the continuity of the show but what is clear is that Alvin is a phenomenal guitar player and vocalist and the rhythm section tonight provides the relentless back beat to really showcase his skills. When Alvin lets rip he really lets rip and the band rock the place to its foundations.
 
A new song is showcased also tonight so hopefully there is a chance of a new record as it’s been nearly 15 years since the last one with Alvin’s name on it. It’s a fine way to end my relationship with The Borderline with one of the blues greatest contemporary exponents.
 
Till the next time keep on blues rockin y’all

Thursday 25th July, Shepherds Bush Empire, London, Jenny Lewis. On the hottest day of the year and maybe ever in the UK we make our way up west to a hopefully air conditioned Empire. Luckily, our prayers are answered and it’s a very pleasant cool theatre that welcomes us. After seeing Jenny’s old band Rilo Kiley some fifteen years ago this is the first time for me solo.
 
She is over here promoting her latest album, the excellent ‘On the Line’ and the set obviously leans heavily on this along with tracks from the album before ‘The Voyager’ along with a few from her collaboration with the Watson Twins and a sole Rilo Kiley cut, a beautiful version of ‘with arms outstretched’.
 
It’s difficult to label or pigeon hole Lewis with her distinctive voice that moves effortlessly from Stevie Nicks, Dolly through KD Lang. It’s essentially a pop show tonight but the songs aren’t throwaway they’re thoughtful and moving. It’s a real show tonight with the diminutive Lewis resplendent in her gold lame glittering dress holding centre stage but assisted with a small raised platform so everyone in the venue can see her especially with the notoriously flat floor of the Empire. We have bouncing balls and phone torch spotlight segments too to add more theatrics to this great show.
 
Highlights for me are probably new track ‘Do Si Do’ which really shines the light on that voice and also a fantastically shambolic ‘See Fernando’ which sees Lewis stop the song to recompose herself after a fit of giggles.
 
A lovely evening of pop perfection that shows this young upstarts how to do it.
 
Till the next time keep on pop rockin y’all

Thursday 11th July, Under the Bridge, London, the War and Treaty. Well this is an easy review. Astonishing, astounding, unbelievable, brilliant, superb, moving, outstanding. Do you get the picture? The War and Treaty were good, very good indeed. From the first note of the band and the first vocals from husband and wife Michael and Tanya Trotter you knew this was going to be special. Wow just wow.
 
On this their debut London show in front of a good crowd at Under the Bridge we are treated to a powerhouse of unrestrained country soul. Michael takes the lead on most songs with his deep voice with a remarkable range that is so powerful I’m not sure a microphone or amplification is actually required. He is superbly supported by Tanya who is also blessed with a beautiful soulful voice providing harmonies throughout and with occasional but impactful lead.
 
They are backed tonight with a superb six piece band who are on it from note one who all get time to shine throughout the night with a particularly strong brass section.
 
The set tonight draws from both of their albums, coupled with some new stuff and snippets of classic soul covers thrown in. Their own songs are in the classic storytelling style and often deeply personal affairs. One particular song being dedicated to a colleague of Michaels from the US Army who sadly took their own life. The story is painful and touching with a message of taking care of our own and being there for our friends. We are encouraged to hug our neighbour in the room which was much needed as the tears rolled down my cheeks. There have only been a handful of those moments in my over eight hundred gigs attended but this was definitely one of them. Hair tingling, lip trembling beauty and the tears were mixed of both sorrow and joy.  
 
It would be churlish to pick a highlight but I will. It started at 9 o’clock and ended an hour and forty five minutes later with just the two outstanding performers on stage leaving us with an acapella finale.
 
A truly emotional and joyous night and not since the first time I saw St Paul and the Broken Bones has a band had such an impact on me. The records so not do this band any justice as live its incredible stuff. I cannot wait until they come back and I will be lobbying Emily Eavis hard to get these guys at the Park stage next year.
 
Till the next time keep on sweet soulful rockin y’all