It’s been a couple of years since I last saw this super talented couple supporting Frankie Lee down in Winchester. It’s a headline show tonight and their ranks are enhanced with a second guitarist for this show. It’s a bit of insult to pass him off as just a guitarist as all three members are clearly accomplished musicians with I think ten guitars on stage ranging from acoustic, Fender telecaster, a lovely black Gretsch, a couple of twelve strings and a hofner bass.
First up a word for the support act, whose name I sadly didn’t catch but he was very good with a Sturgill like voice who entertained us for twenty minutes or so.
Onto Native Harrow, who have now moved to these fair shores from the US and A, are fresh off a supporting stint for Courtney Marie Andrews in Europe. What a double bill that is and of course I reviewed CMA a couple of weeks back for her super show at the Union Chapel.
There are many similarities between the two shows. Like Courtney Marie, Devin Tuel possesses a beautiful voice. She may not have the vocal range of CMA but it’s a lovely instrument rooted firmly in the seventies Laurel Canyon scene with shades of Mama Cass, Carly Simon and of course a bit of Joni.
They are impossible to categorise as their fine tunes shimmy down the musical tracks passing the pit stops in folk, country, jazz, psychedelia and a bit of soft rock to boot. What is clear though tonight is the added dimension and depth to the sound that the third member brings. The acoustic songs with just Devin and Stephen are folk brilliance but the music really shines with the third person whether this is with the addition of a bass, keys or just percussion for those tracks.
This is officially the tour in support of their fourth album ‘Closeness’ released last year and it clearly cements them at the top of their game building on their excellent ‘breakthrough’ album ‘Happier Now’ from 2019. We are treated to most of both those albums with a couple of new ones thrown in which more than hold their own with the more established songs.
Difficult to pick a highlight from the show. It was perfectly paced and the quality shone throughout the set. A great night out and hopefully they can get the wider recognition that they so richly deserve.
Keep on folky rock and rollin y’all