It’s a chilly autumnal Monday night in old London Town, clocks have gone back and the nights are darker but there’s nothing like a bit of quality live music to warm those cockles. And warm those cockles Courtney Marie did.
First though kudos to her for making the effort to come over here. In a difficult year the dearth of international acts on these fair shores has been extraordinary with some US acts cancelling as recently as last week with just a few days’ notice. So thank you again Courtney Marie to being here.
It’s an early entry into the Union Chapel as that is the only way to get any decent seats with seemingly half of the pews being reserved with coats for friends of the first person in a group who got there. Come on UC let’s get some numbers on these pews. And why no refreshments of any kind.
It did mean we were there for close harmony duo Memorial for a pleasant thirty minute set. Although it did feel like most of the songs only had one verse and were over in a minute or two. We would see them back later adding their harmonies to a few songs from Courtney Marie’s set
Onto the main act and what strikes me is the difference between the shy, reserved woman I first saw in a tiny pub in Guildford four or so years ago to this mature confident artist who is now a comfortable raconteur between songs as well as a magnificent singer. To quote the tawdry TV talent shows ‘she has been on an epic journey’ and ‘she owned that stage tonight’ accompanied with just an acoustic shield.
What can I add to the many reviews I have written about Courtney Marie? Her voice is an impeccable instrument, the songs are a consistently wonderful insight into America and life in general and the audience are rapt from note one through to the unplugged encore from the front of the stage finishing with a wonderful version of crowd requested ‘Rough around the Edges’.
Highlights too many to mention with the obvious oldies of ‘Irene’ and ‘Table for One’ peerless but also the new songs more than holding their own with in particular ‘Burlap String’ and ‘Old Flowers’.
This was a wonderful show from an artist that has really found their voice in more ways than one. Comparisons with other artists are often reductive but I am going to suggest that if Courtney Marie continues the track she is taking history may judge her as important to country folk singer songwriters and indeed just music generally as Joni.
So always a must see when she comes over and it will be nice to welcome her and the band back real soon.
Keep on country folkin’, rock and rollin y’all