Editor, Author at Maverick Country

Cornbury Festival

Review Date: June 29-July 1, 2012 Review By: Nick Dent-Robinson Location: Great Tew Park, Cotswolds This year’s ninth Cornbury Festival followed just a week after the Isle of Wight Festival, with its sodden, muddy fields and mega-traffic chaos-even though there was great music there and generally happy, rain-soaked, attendees. The downpours had continued so it was with trepidation that I arrived in Great Tew Park. I need not have worried. The organisation of the event-in the capable hands of Festival Director, Hugh Phillimore-was superb. Despite some rain, there was no mud; no vehicles stuck and even all the toilets were in full flushing order, abundant and kept spotlessly clean throughout. Cornbury’s setting is the magnificent Great Tew Park in the Cotswolds-probably the most attractive festival site in the country. Hugh Phillimore’s goal is to marry the traditional qualities of a great English country house garden party-civility, tombola and tea, cakes and ale-with the elements of the very best music festivals, including great bands, good food, quirky side shows plus weekend camping and a rich mix of people of all ages and backgrounds, from Cabinet Ministers-including a denim-clad David Cameron this year-and flash top music executives to the ordinary and the interestingly weird. Cornbury may be dubbed “Posh stock’ by some but Hugh’s formula works well and provides a uniquely happy, family-orientated experience which still satisfies the most ardent music fans. There was a world-class array of talent of all kinds on the several stages. More and more artists want to play Cornbury. This year, the eclectic mix included Steve Winwood (with Staxs), Elvis Costello, Jools Holland with Ruby Turner, James Morrison, Beth Hart, Charlotte Church, Nerina Pallot, Hugh Laurie, Pixie Lott, Will Young, Macy Gray, Katzenjammer, Alison Moyet, Mike Scott’s Waterboys, Gretchen Peters and Police Dog Hogan, to name but a few. Cornbury is committed to featuring up and coming acts like Liam Blake as well as some who have previously tasted the cream of stardom, like Kris Dollimore (formerly with Del Amitri & The Damned) or Charly Coombs (ex-Supergrass). For me, Gretchen Peters was particularly memorable, with her ability to hold an audience under her spell as she sings so captivatingly about the beauty and triumph she finds somehow in adversity. A delightfully strong performance from a youthful-looking, slimmer and smiling Alison Moyet and a characteristically off-beat set from Seasick Steve, who had caused a stir as he arrived at Cornbury in his trademark beat-up, blue and cream, fifty-year-old Cadillac Coupe de Ville. There was powerful performances from Steve Winwood who fitted in effortlessly as he joined Staxs; the high energy soul, rhythm and blues band from Elvis Costello-who packed in the songs, but still managed to add a touch of acid to the occasional rain as he told the audience what he thought of some of those present from the world of politics-and from the ubiquitous Jools Holland. Jools included in his set guests, Marc Almond, Louise Marshal, Rico Rodriguez-arguably the greatest living ska artist-and trombonist, Chris Barber who is one of the few who can claim to have played with even more musical icons than Jools has himself! One of the big surprises of the event for many was the hugely enthusiastic applause from the massive crowd that had gathered to hear the festival open on Saturday with Sam Brown and her International Ukulele Club of Sonning Common. This was the biggest band ever to play Cornbury, numbering over 40 plus some six additional professional singers and musicians in supporting roles-and they were ring-mastered superbly by the irrepressible Sam Brown. Featuring singers from the ukulele club, like the gifted Naomi Valance and the exotic Parisian chanteuse, Natalie, singing none other than La Mer. Sam’s ukulele orchestra won a rapturous response from the smiling, foot-stomping gathering-a day her amateur ukulele players will surely never forget! Noel Edmonds, Rebekah Brooks, Andy Coulson, John Craven, Adam Henson, former Blur bassist Alex James, Jeremy Clarkson and Holby City actress Tina Hobley were amongst the many celebrities mingling with the crowds. Hugh Phillimore said he was thrilled with the event. Ticket sales were up over 5% on last year, despite the damp weather and everyone seemed to be having a great time. “There’s a good feeling here at the Great Tew site and the locals have embraced it. The line-up was our best yet. The performances were staggering and I even had a chance to see many of the acts, this year which was wonderful. Now we start planning next year’s 10th Cornbury!’ The challenge will be to make it even better than this year’s event.

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Larkin Poe

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Review Date: August 22, 2012 Review By: Emily Saxton Location: The Greystones, Sheffield Calhoun, Georgia-born Larkin Poe – sisters Megan and Rebecca Lovell (formally members of the folk trio, the Lovell Sisters) – dropped by the bustling Sheffield Greystones Inn, the 24th of 30 European tour dates scheduled in support of their recently released fifth EP, the CD/DVD combo THICK AS THIEVES, to deliver an enchanting 14-song set to an appreciative, sold out audience. The toe-tapping Chesterfield foursome, Grassoline provided the opening sequence. Joined on the intimate stage by band guitarist Rick Lollar, drummer Chad Melton and bassist Robby Handley, the five-piece Larkin Poe opened their set with the deliciously rocky Jailbreak, followed by the soulful mid-temp number, The Principle Of Silver Lining, Rebecca vocally superb on both whilst Megan’s harmonies and lap steel solos were an utter dream to witness. Throughout the evening, the sisters managed to uphold a tasteful balance of well-interpreted covers, old favourites and new gems, including the Megan-penned Trance, bluegrass-rooted Long Hard Fall, the rock-vibed Love Or Money and Play On (taken from the new EP) and a fleeting, improvised rendition of Gillian Welch’s The Devil Had A Hold On Me. ‘It’s not one of ours but we like it a whole lot…’ Rebecca said with a twinkle in her eye, just as they broke into the mandolin-led cover of Massive Attack’s Teardrop; the Southern rock undercurrent, beautiful plucked backdrop and stunningly delivered 4-piece harmonies complementing each other wonderfully, whilst their rendition of the widely-covered Wade In The Water, laced with Larkin Poe flourishes-not only demonstrated the sisters’ musical maturity, but also provided the evening with a set-list gem. “We’re going to take you back to the beginning of Larkin Poe,” Rebecca continued after the applause from the previous song had died down-the folk purity and musical chemistry woven into the familiar chords of We Intertwine, filtering beautifully through the speakers. Suspecting as though she was being unusually quiet, Rebecca explained how the pair had given three interviews already that evening: “When you’ve been talking all day, there isn’t much left to say by the evening…” However, I doubt the audience minded, as she went on to tell the sea of fascinated faces about how the mandolin and lap steel-led Mad As A Hatter was written about her schizophrenic grandfather who led multiple lives around the world; its intense vocal deliverance against a dark and anxious undercurrent, providing a vocal high. The five-some were whooped and applauded back onto the stage to provide an encore of the wholly infectious Money (That’s What I Want), the stunning harmonies and three-part solo allowing them to finish on a crowd-cheering, audience-applauding high, heading to the bar area afterwards to sign CDs. An utter joy from start to finish, the Lovell girls not only demonstrated what talented musicians and songwriters they are but also how easily they can captivate their audience in the most delightful way.

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Kerry Kilgore, Americana International Festival

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Review Date: July 8, 2012 Review By: Emily Saxton Location: Americana International Festival What a surprise it was to see Oregon’s Jerry Kilgore take to the main stage at this year’s Americana International Festival in July. After taking time out to record his third studio album TELEPHONE, TX-the second record released on his independent label Nic-Nic Neer Records-and almost eight years since he made his debut on Virgin Records, he stormed the stage with a toe-tapping, honky-tonking ten-song set, attracting a small, spontaneous group of line dancers. Obviously Jerry was feeling rather thirsty during his set, choosing to sings songs such as memorable foot stompers What’s It Take To Get A Drink In Here and the honky-tonking If You Want To Keep Your Beer Cold, taken from his latest release about a cold-hearted woman-both providing notable highs in the performance; the audience swaying along with the infectious country-fused rhythms. Not to mention, in fact asking the audience as to whether there was any alcohol to buy on the camp: “Do they sell alcohol here?” he asked once the applause of the previous song (I Just Want My Baby Back) had died down. “I can tell you guys haven’t had enough.” Likewise, the waltzing Places To Go, with its beautiful piano-led arrangement, coupled with Jerry’s rich vocal deliverance and the up-tempo Ain’t Got One Honky Tonk both provided a further two set-list gems. With his smooth voice, cowboy image and country-fused tunes, there’s no reason why Jerry can’t test the charted waters again. Maybe ten years ago (when several of Jerry’s singles failed to chart) the charts weren’t right for him, but let’s hope this appearance was one of many more still to come, and certainly not the last we hear of his incredibly likeable music.

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Davina and the Vagabonds

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Review Date: May 17, 2012 Review By: Alan Harrison Location: The Cluny, Newcastle One of my greatest pleasures is discovering new music in all its shapes and forms, and tonight was a revelation that I shared with 75 people scattered around a small room. The band in their black three button suits, white shirts and skinny black ties made their way onto the stage, followed by a magnificent looking Davina in a sexy green dress and her neatly coiffured hair in a beret. I was completely won over within the first minute of Louis Jordan’s Knock Me A Kiss, because these kids can play! The brass section was immaculate and swung like a pendulum all night, and the drum and bass wouldn’t have been out of place in the Stax studio. Then, there is Ms. Sowers who can boogie-woogie on the piano as good as anyone I’ve ever heard. An early slow blues song Muddy Water perfectly showcased Davina’s sultry voice. Yet, this act isn’t just about the extroverted female lead, as trumpet player, Dan Eikmeier and bassist, Michael Carvale both got the chance to show what great voices they had too. Hardly any of the songs lasted over two minutes, but each one was perfectly assembled with New Orleans stompers, following rollicking rockers and slow and sassy blues tunes. On St. Michael Vs The Devil, we were treated to a fantastic gothic tune worthy of Tom Waits at his best, and it even included a duel between Davina and Eikmeier’s trumpet to see who could hit the highest note-she won! Of the band’s own songs, Lipstick And Chrome won best song of the night on a split decision, but the actual knock-out song was reserved for their stunningly soulful version of Etta James’ classic I’d Rather Go Blind, which received a deserved standing ovation in the middle of the set. That’s about it; a handful of people saw one of the best gigs of the year and when or if they come back next year, I swear they will fill a hall twice the size of the Cluny II, so if they come to a town near you, go see them. They are the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

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Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

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Review Date: September 21-23, 2012 Review By: Roger Ryan Location: Tullamore, Co. Offaly While the crowds could have been bigger, the organisers can feel well-pleased with the overall success of the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, which was held in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, over the the weekend of September 21-23. The combination of sunshine and music provided the ingredients for a magical and uplifting experience that helped to ease the doom and gloom which currently envelops our country. It was so nice to see people milling around the town enjoying the lots of free entertainment on offer in the local hostelries and on the main stage in the town square. This truly has developed into an International event and attracts fans and musicians from all corners of the globe. We had bands from Spain, Czech Republic and the USA. The many workshops, lectures, the festival clubs and the main evening concerts were held at the spacious Tullamore Court Hotel, and were well-attended and well-organised. The gatherings (Pickin’ Parties) proved to be a great success and were a great way to end the day on the following morning, if you get my drift. Some of the many highlights for me personally were the Saturday night concert, especially the performance by headline act Blue Highway, featuring Rob Ickes on Dobro, and the Niall Toner Band. Niall will spend a month in the USA touring and promoting his new album, which is on general release there. Suzy Bogguss was another highlight who gave an outstanding performance, posing freely for pictures later. Gerry O’Connor was amazing on banjo. The jewel in the crown though for me was the 10am mass on Sunday in the Cathedral, where the musicians played and members of Blue Highway sang a capella. It was a truly memorable experience and greatly appreciated by the large gathering present. Traditionally staged in Longford, this was its first year in the new setting of Tullamore, Co. Offaly and hopefully it will quickly establish itself as the major festival it undoubtedly is, and receive the support it deserves. One suggestion I would make is to perhaps put more emphasis on the International music side of the festival, rather than a banjo fest. It really is a lot more than just a banjo festival.

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The Wiyos

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Review Date: February 5, 2012 Review By: Sean Marsh Location: The Cluny, Newcastle Back in April 2011, The Wiyos told me: “We’ll be back; maybe next winter.” True to their word, their return trip coincided with our first snow of the season. The last time I saw them, they debuted some songs for their forthcoming CD, based on the Wizard of Oz. This year’s tour featured the new material, with virtually the whole of the first 60 minutes being devoted to TWIST. The familiar sight of the tree of percussion occupied centre stage before the Wiyos appeared. One could easily spend a considerable amount of time analysing the contents of the stage. Alongside the various instruments-from keyboard to cornet-there lurked the unusual sights of an air raid siren, an apple and a large bag of monkey nuts. It all added to the effect. TWIST is a truly extraordinary piece of work. It was brought to life at the Cluny by an equally extraordinary performance. The harmonica and a few jingles on the tree of percussion started a slow and warped version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and the rest of the Wiyos joined in one by one, with bass, keyboards, drums and guitar all contributing little bits and pieces. The fabulous opening line: ‘Last night my house came down on a witch…’ heralded an evening of top quality entertainment. There are now five Wiyos. Michael Farkas, Teddy Weber and Sauerkraut Seth Travins were all together last year, when they were joined by special guest Andy Bean (one half of the Two Man Gentleman Band). This time, the core trio was augmented by Brian Geltner (drums) and Kenny Siegal (keyboards and guitar). The new instruments fill out the sound, allowing the extremely intricate TWIST to be unleashed with the force of a Kansas twister. What a night! My advice is to get out and see The Wiyos if they come anywhere near you. It’s an experience you’ll never forget. We want them to come back again as soon as possible.

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Nanci Griffith

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Review Date: March 22, 2012 Review By: Helen Mitchell Location: The Sage, Gateshead Support for the evening came from the Kennedys; a husband and wife duo who started out in Nanci’s band and credit her for them getting together both professionally and personally. They took the opportunity to play us a selection of old and newer material, showcasing some interesting vocals and some fabulous musicianship. Stand out track of their set, for me, was Half A Million Miles, which they wrote for their anniversary. I won’t spoil the story. They then invited Nanci to join them for a tribute to Davy Jones of the Monkees. Daydream Believer became a singalong, which I’m sure Davy would have loved. Following a break, the Kennedys returned with Pat McInerny, a long-standing member of Nanci’s band. Nanci then came out to join them to huge applause. Each took their seat in the very informal set-up; four seats and microphone around a lamp in the centre, creating a very cosy atmosphere indeed. Introducing “a John Prine song,” she launched into Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness, which received applause before she had sung a note. Immediately I was struck, once again by that voice. Talking about 21st century country girl, Elizabeth Cook, Nanci told us how, after she lost her own mother, Elizabeth “loaned her hers.” Now she has passed on, Nanci told us, she believes they are seated round a table in the sky drinking moonshine. There’s another story there but I’ll leave Nanci or Elizabeth to tell you it! Speaking of their mothers, however, prompted a heartfelt performance of A Simple Life, which the pair wrote together. Dedicating her next song “to all our flyers in the field,” an absolutely exquisite version of The Flyer followed. Poignantly it seems just as relevant now as when it was first recorded. A selection of songs from her new CD, INTERSECTION, gave us a good flavour of the CD. Telling us the background to Bethlehem Steel gave it a whole different feel. The arts centre adjoining built a see through glass panel to the closed down steel works, which created a back drop to the stage. What an inspired idea. The sentiment of the song could apply to so many places we’ve all seen close; locally alone I was thinking of the mines, shipyards, Swan Hunters and very recently McNulty’s on the River Tyne. A further musical reminder that despite the fact we are separated by miles and oceans, we have very similar experiences. I Ain’t Never Going Back, gave her a chance to surprise us a little when she stated that it describes how she feels about her native Texas, a place that I love. A song in her back catalogue I never thought I would hear live is It’s Just Another Morning Here. When it appeared again on the new CD, I dared to hope and was ecstatic when she sang it, telling us that the original she recorded with Phil Everly, no less. She further indulged us by telling us that it was inspired by a couple who pulled into a motel, leaving their child in the car whilst they had a row in the room. Sung live it was every bit as powerful as I had hoped. It has never been a secret that one of Nanci’s closest friends is songwriter Julie Gold. Telling us about singing her song From A Distance at the Olympics, with Raul Malo and Donna Summers, she reminded us how this song has stood the test of time as an anthem for peace, before delivering the best version I’ve heard. It is hard not to get chills when she delivers the title line in a variety of other languages, which subtly brings home the point of the song. I wonder if Julie Gold had any idea when she wrote it that it would still be so relevant today. Talking about her family and ancestors out in Texas, she painted a fabulous picture with words of how it was back in those dustbowl days, as she led us into perhaps the most stirring version to date of Trouble In The Fields. She related the amazing story of Richard and Mildred Loving back in the Civil Rights days and how they changed laws beyond all recognition to permit inter racial marriage. It was clear that Nanci holds strong feelings on the subject and her song, The Loving Kind, perfectly encapsulated their story. Hard to believe it was barely a generation ago that these attitudes were held so strongly. Indeed, such is the power of the song that Nanci won a well deserved n American Civil Liberties award. You have to admire her for saying it how she sees it. The world would be a better place if more of us could follow her example and speak up for what we believe in. Nanci talked briefly about the late songwriter Kate Wolf and also about war journalist Dickey Chapelle, about whom Nanci wrote a song some years ago. Bringing the two together, she talked about journalist Marie Colvin and sent the Kate Wolf song Across The Great Divide, out to her memory and for all she stood for and believed in. She then stated that she has no doubt Kate, Dickey and Marie are drinking Moonshine at that same table as her mother. I’d love to hear that conversation… Tequila After Midnight upped the tempo and sounded great live, whilst Listen To The Radio, was dedicated to her hero Loretta Lynn and several great UK radio personalities; Bob Harris and Ricky Ross among them. An unexpected highlight followed, when Nanci suddenly introduced two new band members; the Clap Brothers. Her road crew came out dressed in t-shirts bearing the words Hell yes and Hell no. Telling us that the video for this song has gone viral (it’s on YouTube) she can’t recall what it was but she “mad as hell about something” when she wrote it. Delivered with perhaps

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Bill Wyman and The Rhythm Kings

Rosanne Cash

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Review Date: March 26, 2012 Review By: Helen Mitchell Location: The Sage, Gateshead Support for the evening came from Winter Mountain, a new name to me. The duo hail from Donegal, Ireland and Cornwall, respectively, having met of all places on a train southbound from Chicago to Memphis. As the lead singer put it, they’ve been making music ever since. Taking us through some existing and some new material, they demonstrated some fabulous harmonies, especially on such songs as: The Soldier’s Ghost, Wherever You Lay Your Head Down and Sarah. As Rosanne Cash and her partner/husband John Leventhal took to the Stage of Hall 2, it stuck me how lucky we were to be seeing Rosanne in this intimate environment, second time around. Clearly starting as she intended to continue, they launched straight into Dreams Are Not My Home, followed by the John Hiatt song It Hasn’t Happened Yet.” A stirring version of Radio Operator” followed, after she told us a little of the background. It is about her parents and in 1954, her mother was ‘the girl from San Antone.’ She then admitted that her daughter, Caitlin bears more resemblance to the girl her mother was than she does; it does, they say, skip a generation. The World Unseen followed, with John providing simple but exquisite guitar accompaniment; talk about intuitive musicianship, as Rosanne delivered the most poignant line of the evening: ‘I am the list of everyone I have to lose.’ I’m sure Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash flashed through everyone’s minds, if only for a moment. Mr L stepped into The Boss’-aka Springsteen’s shoes to sing his part on the duet they recorded for THE LIST; Don Gibson’s 1961 hit, Sea Of Heartbreak. As he did so, he joked: “I am not Bruce and I hope the Boss never shows up..!” Maybe not the boss but I think anyone proficient in gang speak, present, would agree that he was da boss! I also loved how Rosanne faded out the song at the end, by simply moving further away from the microphone. What a great effect. Also from THE LIST, Long Black Veil received massive applause; something about the way she delivers it just gets under your skin, almost like she becomes that ghost, telling you the sad, sad story. As John played the final bars of the song, Rosanne quipped: “I do like a good ghost story in a country song.” Another song which now seems particularly poignant when she sings it is Motherless Children. You can’t help but feel that at least some of those lines come from personal experience. Movin’ On, the song of the same title followed, before Rosanne acknowledged Winter Mountain, her support act, thanking them for their set. September When It Comes,” was more than worth the wait; probably the best I have heard Rosanne sing this. Again, it can’t escape many people’s attention that this was originally recorded as a duet with her father, who then passed away in September. I have an inkling his spirit was right there in that room during that song. Tom Petty’s Never Be You” was followed by an odd request for requests. Asking us to shout for songs we’d like to hear, she responded with either a reason why not, or that it was already in the set-list but they’d get to it soon. Perhaps this was all a ruse to allow some wit as she teased us: “Since you lot don’t know what you want, we’ll play…” before taking us into blues for a great performance of Burn Down This Town. Someone’s special request did earn us a treat in the form of John Leventhal becoming ‘the little black-haired boy who played the Tennessee Flat Top Box.’ How he plays or Rosanne sings quite that fast, is literally beyond me. Another of her classics delighted the audience; Seven Year Ache sounds even better live than I ever expected; if you close your eyes it is apparent that other than a few lower notes, Rosanne’s voice has remained pretty much unchanged, allowing her to take us back in time for the few minutes of the song. In a touching moment, Rosanne thanked us as well as The Sage for inviting her back, before adding: “This place is amazing; it really is one of the very best venues in the world.” High praise indeed. Of course, we already know that but it’s nice to hear it from those who stand on the stages. Heartaches By The Number became an impromptu sing along with which they closed the set, thanking us again and assuring us we “are a good lookin’ bunch,” as the house lights came up. No way was The Sage letting Rosanne Cash leave it at that and a standing ovation prompted an encore; somewhat fittingly, she opted to send us into the Gateshead night with a beautiful delivery of “…one of the most classic American songs; 500 Miles.” This choice of song got me thinking that it had been incredible that Rosanne played The Sage once, but to have the chance to be not 500 miles but mere feet away a second time was more than I think many of us dare hoped for. So, thank you to not only Rosanne and John but The Sage, for making another dream come true for many. Again. If I may be as bold as to hope it happens a third time, Rosanne, please don’t leave us waiting with a Seven Year Ache!

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