Page 263 – Maverick Country

Jonathan Wilson

Review date: 9th June 2016 Reviewed by: Carl Warren Location: Union Chapel, Islington Despite the fact that Jonathan Wilson’s Union Chapel gig was billed as solo acoustic, it was exciting to find the stage set out with chairs, music stands and a grand piano. It looked like we were in for something special and we were proved right. Wilson took to the stage along with a string quartet in what is the perfect setting for tonight’s show. Bathed in washes of light reflecting from the stained glass rose window and candle light a rather nervous looking Wilson set out his laid back stall stacked high with the best from the previous couple of albums. Gentle Spirit, released in 2011 came about as a result of a series of jam sessions at his Laurel Canyon base and which summons up the spirit of the canyon in it’s heady days of love peace and understanding. The more recent and fascinating offering, Fanfare, featured contributions from David Crosby, Graham Nash and Jackson Browne. Wilson is also a highly regarded and talented producer working with the likes of Father John Misty, Deep Dark Woods, Dawes and Glen Cambell. Musicians are drawn to Wilson by his ability to provide a certain feel and sensitivity to their work and this is also what tonight was all about. Strings accompanied the initial five numbers and Omar Velasco, a member of his touring band and tonight’s support, also joined Wilson for the majority of the set. Switching between acoustic and electric guitars Wilson weaved his way through the evening until the string quartet returned as he sat at the piano before introducing his old friend Roy Harper who’s wonderful presence and stunning rendition of January Man can still hush a venue and make the hair stand on end. This celebration of Jonathan Wilson’s work was sometimes bordering on self indulgent but always endearing, borne out by the reaction of the near capacity, spell bound crowd. So, after almost two hours of bathing in the warmth of this heartfelt, Merlot fuelled performance, we are back out into the frantic Islington night, a million miles from the mellow vibe of the canyons of California. Next time Jonathan! Photo Credit: Carl Warren

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SaraBeth’s EP FULL SPEED AHEAD debuts at #1 on iTunes in the UK

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SaraBeth’s new EP Full Speed Ahead was just released and debuted at #1 on the UK iTunes chart and #11 on the U.S. chart. “When a friend texted me that my Full Speed Ahead EP was at the top of the Country iTunes charts in the UK, I was absolutely blown away and thrilled and excited. I don’t even know what emotions I was feeling but to see my name in the #1 slot on any chart on iTunes is absolutely a dream come true and just to be sitting there along with some of my favourite artists like Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and Keith Urban is something that is unreal.” SaraBeth said. Full Speed Ahead includes a stellar version of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way,” as well as four other tunes co-written by SaraBeth. She will be returning to the UK this August for the third consecutive year to headline a 13 city tour.

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Alejandra shares new song Orlando

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Having spent the last two years living in Europe to support the release of La boca, Alejandra Ribera returned to Canada in 2016 to begin recording her follow-up album at Kingston’s Bath-house Studios. Alejandra was deeply affected by the events happening around the world during the creation of the album, and with the recent events in Orlando, Florida has decided to offer a brand new song from the album as a tribute to the victims and also to help those affected by these and similar events cope with their loss. Alejandra said: “Audre Lorde said ‘Your silence will not protect you’ and it is a sentiment I have always taken to heart. Yet in the days following the shooting in Orlando I found myself paralyzed by my sadness and wanting nothing more than to retreat from the world. Grief is an unpredictable beast and the truth is that the only way that I really know how to respond in moments like these is with art. So I’m breaking my silence.” “Songs often function like prayers for me and I look to them for both guidance and comfort. The week of the Orlando shooting I received the final mix of the album that I’ve been working on since February. I wrote the track Orlando in 2015 and recorded it this past winter. Originally it began as a poem inspired by the character in Virginia Woolf’s novel by the same title. I wrote it whilst in Paris the week of Charlie Hebdo shooting. At that time I needed to remind myself of the potential for transformation that can only come in our most vulnerable moments. I believe that when we feel totally stripped bare by sadness we are given a particular kind of opportunity to soften towards ourselves and see the pain as an invitation to be more present and awake.” “Orlando and the theme of rebirth feels as pertinent to me now as it did a year and a half ago when I wrote it. I mainly wrote it to soothe myself and so it is in that same spirit that I’m humbly offering it now. I wish you all light. Take care of each other starting with yourselves.” You can stream the track from her site here: http://alejandraribera.com/news/new-song-orlando/ This is the direct soundcloud link to the track: https://soundcloud.com/alejandraribera/alejandra-ribera-orlando-album-vers

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Uncle Lucius announce UK tour dates for autumn

Live Events, News / Editor

For a decade, the band built its fan base the hard way, through relentless touring and restless searching. When the time came to exit the Nashville ‘machine’ and find a new way to create and release the music they needed to make, they called on their die-hard fans for help. Hundreds of believers pledged tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars. Both humbled and exhilarated, the band hit the studio, eager to justify their fans’ love with the labor of their hearts and souls. The resulting fourth LP, THE LIGHT is the statement their fans have waited for, with its songs of seeking and questioning, of reaching out to others, of excavating the hidden strength within. After years spent spreading their message across Texas, here at last is the vehicle that can take them to the national – and international – level. Much about Uncle Lucius sets them apart. Five songwriters combining forces is neither common nor easy, but what each individual loses in pride the band more than gains in power. The song itself matters more than who wrote it, more than the genre to which it belongs. “It’s not about trying to write a certain kind of song,” says Galloway, “it’s about harvesting whatever song comes.” Despite that organic method, THE LIGHT’s 12 songs share themes of travel, movement, and quests without destinations. The album places the band in unfamiliar sonic territory, and much credit belongs to producer George Reiff (Shinyribs, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Band of Heathens) for testing their limits. Every member influences every other, and that combined filter comes close to defining what Uncle Lucius is. “We’re a five-headed beast,” Galloway insists, “and our songs speak for us. Whether we succeed depends on how well they resonate in the world.” Uncle Lucius’ single ‘Age of Reason’ is available now to stream via Soundcloud.

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Nashville in the round tour announced with Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic and Kyshona Armstrong in Spetember 2016

Live Events, News / Editor

A taste of Nashville comes to the UK in September 2016. Nashville in the Round will comprise three Nashville residents and wonderful female voices performing together and individually whilst supporting each other. An evening in the style of the Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café as Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic and Kyshona Armstrong, each recording artists in their own right come together for an evening of songs in the round from the music city. Sarah Darling: http://www.sarahdarling.com/ https://youtu.be/iZk44Wt-KyI Jenn Bostic: www.jennbostic.com https://youtu.be/pBg9btpGqKU Kyshona Armstrong: http://www.kyshona.com https://youtu.be/YojaAOkZ0VQ 3 Sept The Winemakers Club London EC2 4 Sept The Musician Pub Leicester 5 Sept The Met Studio Stafford 7 Sept The Green Note London NW1 8 Sept Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Maidenhead 9 Sept Jubilee Town Hall Kirton in Lindsey 10 Sept The Atkinson Southport 11 Sept The Hive Shrewsbury 12 Sept Kitchen Garden Cafe Birmingham 13 Sept The Bicycle Shop Norwich 14 Sept Chapel Sessions, St. Edwards Church Netley 15 Sept Tin House Coffee Portadown NIR

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Taylor guitars

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For more information go to: http://tylrgt.rs/29cTn8n

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British Country Music Awards Nominations Announced!

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The nominees for the prestigious British Country Music Awards have been announced. This event has attracted and become the benchmark for many artists who were previously unknown to the Country music fans who just attend the many events around the club scene and as Country music in the UK grows more and more young acts have been enticed to the genre and so these awards recognise those up and coming artists both here and abroad as well as the more celebrated performers. They are open to all. Members of the British Country Music Association will have the final say on the winners when voting takes place. Of the nominees Ben Earle gets three nominations including two with Crissie Rhodes as part of The Shires. Nathan Carter gets another nod for Entertainer of the Year, he was nominated too in 2014 and 2015 as was Raintown who must be doing something right, they have four nominations this year, one for Entertainer and the other three in Video, Album and Group categories. Gary Perkins, who recently won CCN Band of the Year also gets a nomination in the Entertainer category. Newcomers to the awards nominations are The Southern Companion, Ashton Lane, Thorne Hill and Red Sky July. A spokesman said: ‘The quality of the British acts who have come to the fore since British Country music has stepped up to the mark means we shall be soon listening to more of our own acts rather than importing them from across the world. We can match the US with quality, we just need to get them publicised more. The likes of The Southern Companion, Holloway Road, The Shires and Ward Thomas are creating waves and it is no wonder the large recording companies have opened offices in London.’ For more details of the Awards Show and the Best of British event to be held the day before at the same venue in London or go to bcmawards.co.uk. The nominees are: Entertainer of the Year The Shires Nathan Carter Jess & The Bandits Raintown Gary Perkins Group of the Year Dexeter Raintown Jess & The Bandits Gary Quinn Band Red Sky July Female Vocalist of the Year Laura Oakes Claire McArthur-Bain (Raintown) Katy Hurt Jessica Clemmons (Jess & The Bandits) Crissie Rhodes (The Shires) Musician of the Year Lee Guyler Justin Johnson Scott Poley Sarah Jory John Pettifer Duo of the Year Ward Thomas The Shires Luke & Mel Holloway Road Ashton Lane UK Album of the Year Belle Cannon – Evolution The Southern Companion – 1000 Days Of Rain Raintown – Writing On The Wall Thorne Hill – No More Holding Back Red Sky July – The Truth And The Lie Male Vocalist of the Year Thorne Hill Ben Earle (The Shires) Nathan Carter Pete Kennedy Gary Quinn Horizon Act of the Year The Southern Companion Narn Acoustic Journey Samantha Lloyd Fitzwallace UK Song of the Year The Southern Companion – Crash Katy Hurt – Love You More Luke & Mel – Bad Habit Ashton Lane – Seventeen Raintown – Nineteen Again International Song of the Year Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey Thomas Rhett – Die A Happy Man Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind Maren Morris – My Church Carrie Underwood – Smoke Break International Album of the Year Chris Stapleton – Traveller Thomas Rhett – Tangled Up Carrie Underwood – Storyteller Eric Church – Mr Misunderstood Chris Young – I’m Coming Over International Act of the Year Little Big Town Dixie Chicks Phil Vassar Thomas Rhett Kip Moore Video of the Year Thorne Hill – Open Road Raintown – Writing On The Wall Luke & Mel – Bad Habit Gary Quinn – Dodge Your Bullet The Southern Companion – Drive

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Bobby Rush signs to rounder records with new album PORCUPINE MEAT set for September 16 release

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Naming one’s album after a song titled “Porcupine Meat” may seem a little unusual — unless, of course, you’re Bobby Rush, who earned his first gold record in 1971 with a hit entitled “Chicken Heads.” He elaborates on his recent composition: “If a lady won’t treat me right, but she doesn’t want anyone else to have me, that is hard to digest.” Hence the lyric, “too fat to eat, too lean to throw away.” is Rush’s debut release for Rounder Records, and one of the best recordings of his astonishing 60-plus year career. The album is due out September 16, 2016. Rush estimates that he has cut over 300 songs since he first began making music. He has been honored with three Grammy nominations, as well as ten Blues Music Awards and 41 nominations. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006. Make no mistake: Rush is not your typical octogenarian. At age 82, he exudes the energy of a 20-year-old, on the road for more than 200 dates a year. His hectic tour schedule has earned him the affectionate title King of the Chitlin’ Circuit. Rush has traveled the globe including Japan and Beirut. In 2007, he earned the distinction of being the first blues artist to play at the Great Wall of China. His renowned stage act features his famed shake dancers, who personify his funky blues and the ribald humor that he has cultivated during the course of his storied career. PORCUPINE MEAT will not only please Rush’s older fans, but is likely to win over many new ones. Billington reflects, “We wanted to come up with something fresh, while staying 100% true to Bobby.” The album was recorded in New Orleans, and Rush was pleased and proud to be given the opportunity to make an album in his home state for the very first time. His impassioned vocals and in-the-pocket harmonica playing are among the best performances of his career. Unlike most of his recent releases, these sessions only feature real instruments and no synthesizers. All of the rhythm tracks were cut live in the studio, often edited down from jams that on several occasions ran close to ten minutes. For the project, Billington assembled some of the best Louisiana musicians, including Shane Theriot, David Torkanowsky, Jeffrey “Jellybean” Alexander, Kirk Joseph, Cornell Williams, and others. Rush brought along his old friend and longtime collaborator, guitarist Vasti Jackson, who worked with Bobby and Scott on getting the songs ready for the studio. Guitar greats Dave Alvin, Keb’ Mo’, and Joe Bonamassa all make guest appearances on the album.

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Jake Owen set to release AMERICAN LOVE July 29

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The much-anticipated new album AMERICAN LOVE represents the best of Jake Owen both musically and personally, and that’s because the project is the result of a soul-searching journey that led him to explore the meaning of life and music. While recording the album, he ventured down some enticing new musical paths, but eventually decided to return home to his Florida-inspired roots, embracing the unique sound for which he is popular. Personally, he worked through the pain and healing of a divorce and renewed his commitment to what really matters in life–hope, optimism and the power of love. AMERICAN LOVE is a new beginning for Owen, who has become a beacon of positive vibes through his uplifting lyrics and melodies, optimism, love of the beach and his youthful spontaneity. This begins the exciting new chapter in his award-winning career that has earned five number one hits– ‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night,”Beachin,’ ‘The One That Got Away,’ ‘Alone with You’ and ‘Anywhere with You.’ “This record has been very enlightening because I found myself through the songs. I got back to basics with AMERICAN LOVE,” he says of the project co-produced by award-winning songwriters and producers Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman with four tracks co-produced Lukas Bracewell and Owen, “This is me, this is what I want to say and this is what I want people to remember me for. These songs promote positivity and love.”

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Americana guitarist Jesse Dayton set to release THE REVEALER September 16

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Texas guitarist, singer/songwriter Jesse Dayton releases his new album,THE REVEALER, on September 16 via his new record deal with Blue Elan Records. Dayton, the country-blues-punk guitarist from Beaumont, Texas, has been building a cult following around the globe, playing 180 shows a year in North America and Europe, with his guitar shredding, country-infused, Americana sound. Recorded in Houston at the Gulf Coast’s hit factory, SugarHill Studios, The Revealer puts Dayton’s considerable talent on full display as he plays guitar, bass, percussion, and keys, as well as singing his own harmonies. He’s assisted by childhood buddy Eric Tucker, Mike Stinson, and Eric Hughes on drums, and Austin ringers Riley Osbourne (piano and B3) and Beth Chrisman (fiddle). Evans and engineer Steve Christensen, a Grammy Award winner for his engineering work on Steve Earle’s 2009 Grammy nominated album Townes, round out Dayton’s dream team. “John and I go way back to our days in Houston,” Dayton explains, “and once we got in the studio it felt like the ghosts of Freddy Fender, George Jones, and Doug Sahm were in the room with us. They all recorded massive hits there with Huey Meaux and there’s just such a powerful vibe. You’re surrounded by all this Texas music history and that’s inspiring.” THE REVEALER starts right off with a bang, from the track titled ‘Daddy Was A Badass’ a driving piece recalling the hard charging life of Dayton’s own father and uncles. This opening track explains a whole hell of a lot about who Jesse Dayton is and why he sounds so different from the current wave of Americana artists. Other highlights include ‘Three Pecker Goat’ which Dayton co-wrote with longtime friend and Americana star Hayes Carll and a duet on ‘Match Made In Heaven’ with Austin songbird Brennan Leigh. An early chance meeting with Austin blues impresario Clifford Antone (the man who discovered Stevie Ray & Jimmie Vaughn, Charlie Sexton, Doyle Bramhall Sr. & Jr, etc.), led to an invitation for Dayton to “come to Austin and play Antone’s, anytime.” This priceless exposure, coupled with the number one ranking of his first record,RAISIN’ CAIN (1995) on Americana radio, led to Dayton being hired at a young age to play with his heroes.

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