The three amigos head in early for a triple header tonight with The Hanging Stars, London’s finest cosmic country band, not to be confused with London’s finest country band The Rockingbirds (although they share a band member with Patrick Ralla on guitar), after that’s it’s the delicate Miranda Lee Richards and then it’s the enigmatic headliners Gospelbeach.
The Hanging Stars deliver a perfect forty minute set of oldies and a couple from their forthcoming album. It’s a fine blend of Californian sunshine, cosmic country, Americana and London attitude.
Miranda Lee is supported by most of the members of Gospelbeach and delivers a subtle set with her dreamy vocals ala Lana del Ray that takes you away to a Californian beach with a bottle of wine laying back gazing to the stars.
Finally, it’s Brent Rademaker, Jason Soda and friends aka Gospelbeach. It’s a shame the great Neal Casal can’t be here but given he seems to be in five other bands that’s hardly surprising.
Given there is three bands tonight the headline set is short an hour and could easily gone on for another thirty minutes and no one would have complained. We’re back in seventies California but their sound also brings in the rock elements of Florida’s Tom Petty, the harmonies of the Travelling Wilburys with a dash of Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub pop sensibilities thrown in.
The new album ‘Another Summer of Love’ is a real progression from their debut with excellent songs many of which played tonight. There’s a real sense of fun with this band but the music stands tall front and centre. It’s a great groove and special props to the bass player who really works the frets and keep the beat going.
It’s a great blend of tracks from both of their albums and the time flies as we take our trip back in time and relocate to the West Coast for an hour. Highlights for me were probably ‘Hangin On’ and ‘Strange Days’ form the new album.
A wonderful three hours of quality music and hoping Gospelbeach come back real soon for a fuller set.
Keep on Cali rockin y’all