Rachel Harrington and Rod Clements - Porter’s Coffee Bar, Tynemouth, September 3rd 2010

Rachel Harrington and Rod Clements

Porter’s Coffee Bar, Tynemouth, September 3^rd 2010

It has to be said that a gig in a coffee shop (capacity around sixty) in a Metro Station, was a first for me and I suspect also for Oregon born, Seattle residing, Rachel Harrington; playing Porter’s Coffee House in Tynemouth Metro Station with ex-Lindisfarne’s Rod Clements.  Having seen the duo as part of The Sage Gateshead’s SummerTyne Festival in July, I was excited to see them again, especially in a venue no bigger than a house concert space!  Needless to say, it was one of the most intimate gigs I have had the pleasure of attending!

It was obvious from the outset that Rachel was totally at ease, as she and Rod took to the floor; Rachel playing guitar and Rod, dobro.  He really is an incredible musician.  I was immediately struck once again by her beautiful voice, as they launched into a great performance of Karen Kane.  To observe her small frame, you can’t help but wonder where the voice comes from!

This was followed by Shoeless, her love song about baseball and the achingly beautiful Mississippi John Hurt song, Louis Collins; a traditional US folk song.   This song has a real Appalachian sound and something in Rachel’s delivery reminds me very much of Diana Jones. (Something in the way her voice nearly – but doesn’t quite – crack as she sings the word ‘laid,’ makes the hairs on my neck stand up.) Telling us about playing the Perth Southern Fried Festival, Rachel went on to say that she and Rod have now covered over 4000 miles in 6 weeks, quipping, ‘It’s so great to be back here in Bristol,’ which had everyone giggling.

Rod took centre stage to play us Stamping Ground, a song he wrote not half a mile from where we were sitting, in his old stamping ground, right there in Tynemouth.  This was followed by another well known song of his, Train in E Major.  As he sang and his fingers danced across the dobro, it was lovely watching Rachel watch him sing, smiling the whole time..  They have obviously become fond of each other as well as their music during the course of touring together. 

 Rachel explained some songs would be from her ‘new CD which doesn’t quite exist yet...’ – this became a running joke for the evening - before she played the beautiful Goodbye Amsterdam, possibly my favourite of all she has written thus far.  Basically it is about going back to places you shared with someone in your life, but they aren’t there anymore and seem to haunt those places.   Exquisite.   This was followed by the tongue in cheek You’ll Do, which reminded me of Elizabeth Cook’s more ‘playful’ songs.

Rod went off on a tangent saying Rachel’s accent is a cross between Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as she has been learning from the Sat Nav.  This then prompted great hilarity as Rachel suddenly announced ‘Recalculating,’  before impersonating the voice of Vodafone!  They are clearly very much at ease working together.

Carver, from Rachel’s current CD, City Of Refuge, followed; based on one of fellow Oregonian Raymond Carver’s poems.  Talking about her upbringing by right wing Pentecostalists, she pondered how she ever became a folk singer, before explaining that she thinks this explains her love of Gospel music. This segued to a beautiful  Gospel song which she wrote, He Started Building My Mansion in Heaven Today, inspired by a comment her grandfather made to her.  Beautiful, and a perfect end to the first half.

Following a short break in which both Rachel and Rod mingled and signed CD’s, whilst Porter’s provided a light buffet,  the pair got things off to a rocking start with Whiskey Highway.  Bringing the song to a close, Rachel joked that they are working on their rock and roll endings, before telling us about their distillery tour in Scotland.  Moving on she teased that she seems to have ‘put all her exes’ on this new record, thus her next song has become affectionately known as Part Two of The Jerk Trilogy. Then came Rachel’s take on the slightly strange Laura Veirs song, Up The River, then a wonderful rendition of Rachel’s ‘hit,’ Sunshine Girl.  Watching her sing, it is obvious that she loves what she does.  House of Cards, another new song, followed (not to be confused with the Mary Chapin Carpenter song)  returning to Gospel, the set ended with one of my favourites, I Don’t Want to get Adjusted to This World, which became a mass, as well as compulsory, sing along; it was lovely hearing everyone singing their hearts out!  What a great way to end a great set. 

Well, not quite; after a little cajoling, Rachel agreed to play Under The Big Top, which she also told us was the story of how the parents of a friend met at the circus. As she said, that doesn’t happen much anymore, and made for a great song.

All too soon, the night really was over and Rachel was bidding Goodbye, Tynemouth, though I have little doubt she will be back next year.  At least until then, we have her new CD, Celilo Falls  to look forward to until the Sunshine Girl returns, perhaps via the Whiskey Highway?

CD Review - Elizabeth Cook - Welder

Elizabeth Cook – Welder




Tracks: 14



www.elizabethcook.com







This is Florida raised Elizabeth Cook’s fifth CD, produced by the legendary Don Was and expertly accompanied by her husband Tom Carroll, with fabulous backing vocals from Buddy Miller, Dwight Yoakam and Rodney Crowell. Wow! I am in no doubt that it is her best to date and it is probably no coincidence that it is also her most personal. Whilst she has included personal songs before, such as Dolly, Mama’s Prayers and Mama, you wanted to be a singer too; perhaps even Balls, she takes the word personal to a whole new level on Welder. The piano led I’m beginning to Forget was written by her mother, also a musician, who passed away a couple of years ago; she is the subject of the heart wrenching Mama’s Funeral. Yet for all its sadness it still manages to celebrate her life. In my opinion, the standout track on the CD is Heroin Addict Sister, which one can only assume is from experience. Exquisite is the only word I can think of to describe this – the concept of the rope is such a clever use of words and to compare the needle to ‘the devil’s DNA’ is inspired. Apparently the CD got its name from her father’s profession, but there is also a reference to ‘welder’ in this song...This song shows not only Cook’s voice, but also her writing, at its finest. Such songs allow her beautiful Southern voice to shine.



Whilst these songs might show off the true quality of Elizabeth’s voice, she also carries off several changes of musical direction; no-nonsense love song Girlfriend Tonight and a stunning version of HEM’s Not California, let her turn her voice to a true country ballad, whilst upbeat numbers such as All the Time, or Yes to Booty, a honky-tonk tune about drink and sex. Then there is the somewhat sordid tale of El Camino. She sings Honky Tonk like any of her older counterparts, citing Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn as two of her greatest influences, yet adds a modern twist for a new generation.



Welder really ought to put Elizabeth Cook up there among the best of them and deserves to be heard. I seriously doubt I will find many, if any, CDs as good in what remains of 2010. I am in no doubt, however, that it will become a must-have addition to everyone’s CD collection; deservedly so.

CD Review - Mary Gauthier - The Foundling

Mary Gauthier – The Foundling




Tracks: 13



www.marygauthier.com







Singer songwriter Mary Gauthier is revered among songwriters – fact. Her gift lies in going to those dark places of life and the soul, whilst keeping the light shining through it. Her new release The Foundling is no different, despite going to her own personal dark places. She says of this CD, “I was born to an unwed mother in 1962 and subsequently surrendered to St. Vincent's Women and Infants Asylum on Magazine Street in New Orleans, where I spent my first year. I was adopted shortly thereafter but left my adopted family at fifteen. I wandered for years looking for, but never quite finding a place that felt like home. I searched for, found, and was denied a meeting with my birth mother when I was 45 years old. She couldn't afford to re-open the wound she'd carried her whole life, the wound of surrendering a baby. The Foundling is my story.”



The production on the CD is by Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies, needless to say he does her more than justice. In truth, the CD is anything but easy to listen to, dominated for the most part by dominated by the halfsung-half spoken March 11, 1962, which chronicles her heartbreaking telephopne conversation with her birth mother, who refused to meet her. This, however, is balanced, slightly, by the more optimistic The Orphan King and the upbeat Goodbye, which was actually first recorded eight years ago. The latter song has an almost bluegrass sound and is quite stunning, as is Another Day Borrowed, in which she tells us that despite it all she’s ‘hanging on.’



I actually found the first time I listened, I had to switch it off, read the lyrics in the booklet, then listen again, as a way to get beyond the incredibly sombre tone of the CD and appreciate the remarkable story Guathier is telling. Her story.



I certainly don’t think this is the CD for first time listeners of Mary Gauthier and suspect that it will appeal more to her longtime fans, who want to learn more about her and her life. Sad it may be, but kudos to her; how many singer songwriters bare their souls and put the intimate details of their life out there for all to hear?

CD Review - Tift Merritt - See You on The Moon

Tift Merritt – See You On The Moon




Tracks: 12



www.tiftmerritt.com







I will hold up my hand and admit I have loved all of North Carolina’s Tift Merritt’s three previous albums and have often wondered why she isn’t up there with the best of them. I was expecting big things from this new CD release so was somewhat disappointed, thus, when on first listen, my immediate reaction wasn’t ‘Wow!’



Produced, recorded and mixed by Tucker Martine (Bill Frisell, The Decemberists, Laura Veirs, and even one of Paste magazine's top ten producers of the decade), all of the songs bar two were written, or co-written by Merritt. Sseveral of the songs have a much more pop sound to them, which, whilst fairly inoffensive, simply risk not being what Tift’s fans have grown to love. That said, some, such as Engine to Turn, have really grown on me with repeated listens; her vocal bringing to mind Martha Wainright at times. The only song I just can’t get to grips with is Mixtape but I’m sure it will grow on me.



Other tracks on the CD, such as Six More Days of Rain, See You on the Moon and After Today are quite stunning, both lyrically and musically, and evidence that this is still the Tift Merritt we have all grown to love, simply pushing musical boundaries as she follows her heart. I guess there is a lot to be said for that, really and kudos to Tift for having the courage to do so. Never Talk About It is introspective and a couple of songs verge on being a social commentary – Tift has never been afraid of saying – or singing – it like it is. She also delivers an interesting version of the Loggins & Messina classic "Danny's Song". What this CD demonstrates is that much of Tift’s music is about the lyrics and in order to connect with this CD I really had to listen, but it was worth it. My only request for the next CD – a little more of the country sound and a little less pop, Tift, as I really think that is where your voice shines. With that said, I am really looking forward to seeing how these songs fare live when she opens for Mary Chapin Carpenter later this year.

CD Review - Sarah McClurg - Tennessee Rain

Sarah McClurg – Tennessee Rain








Tracks: 10



www.sarahmcclurg.com











Sarah McClurg hails from Ottowa, Canada and her new CD was recorded in Nashville, with producer and collaborator (also acoustic guitar) Danny White at his own 16 Ton Recording studio, which she describes as an incredible experience. The result, Tennessee Rain, has just been released to great acclaim from many including Evue's respected North East country music DJ Brian Clough, who first brought her to many people's attention. It is easy to see where this praise is rooted. I received the three track preview and was so excited to hear the whole CD..



Featuring great accompaniment performances from some of Nashville's finest musicians, including Al Perkins (pedal steel), Michael Webb(organ) ,Dave Roe(bass), JD Simo(lead guitar) and Scotty Huff(vocals), the CD starts as it means to go on. Dubbed as 'new country' by many, I suspect Sarah McClurg has a good chance to play a part, at least, in redefining modern country music and remind us what we all loved about it when it was at its peak. That can only be a good thing, surely?!



The title track, Tennessee Rain, is a catchy, country sounding, up-tempo track which speaks of 'washing away the pain tonight in the Tennessee rain.' Sarah told me this song was inspired when there was a spell of heavy rain in Canada, then she travelled down to Nashville, only to be greeted by more rain. The timing was eerie as I received this track right after the recent Nashville floods.



Neverland speaks of love where there is no happy, fairytale ending for either party and is a cleverly written song, quite upbeat, despite its rather sad subject matter. One Soul talks of the one left behind, 'One soul on the side of the road, one more soul left at home, still dreaming..' This song especially, reminds me of the songs I loved during the 90s when I first discovered country music.







However, they are just the tip of the iceberg; songs such as Little More Highway, Rodeo Girl, Better Luck Next Time, Out of Nowhere, Home is Where you are, Sunday Morning and Tumbleweed, all blend together to demonstrate Sarah's multi-faceted sound and prove that this CD is so much more than the sum of its parts.



Perhaps Sarah McClurg's appeal, then, lies in the fact that she sings contemporary songs, with a contemporary sound, yet she taps into the quality of music when country really was county. The CD, Tennessee Rain, is available through Sarah's website, or in the UK from Smart Choice Music (www.smartchoicemusic.com) now. I suggest you order your copy now before word gets out and there are none left , as it promises to be one of the best county CDs of 2010. Or if you really can't wait, the three sampler songs can be downloaded from iTunes.

CD Review - Larkin Poe - Spring EP

Larkin Poe


Spring – EP

Tracks: 9

www.larkinpoe.com

Larkin Poe, previously the Lovell Sisters (before the departure of older sister, Jessica), are Rebecca & Megan Lovell, who themselves state that they are sisters, storytellers and music lovers.



They go on to say, “Ever since we were little girls, we’ve been awed by the power of a story well told: from children’s books and bedtime yarns to figments and fairytales. Before we were able to read, we hounded our parents for “more stories!” and then, when at last we could; we began hounding the bookshelves. Now, nearly a decade later, at 19 and 20, we’re still doing the same thing. We’re still on the search for stories, and striving to learn how to tell them well. Now, we not only hound bookshelves, but also the people surrounding us. We search for stories of human experience, of love won and love lost, and of the million mundane things that make up everyday life.”

I was hooked from the eloquence of that statement on; being a lifelong music and book lover myself, I was fascinated to see what this talented young duo had created. What I discovered was a debut EP of nine tracks which effortlessly transcend many genre boundaries, incorporating elements of folk, Americana, country, and pop and stunning vocals. Rebecca also plays mandolin and Rebecca, Dobro.; both are clearly very talented musicians. For the EP they are accompanied by Knoxville-based musicians, Daniel Kimbro on bass, Chad Melton on drums and Mike Seal playing electric guitar, all to great effect, and greatly complementing the girls’ vocals. The songs are all written from the perspective of young women in their late teens and, listening to the truth within their lyrics, you cannot help but get a sense that Rebecca and Megan are wise beyond their years.

Generally, the lyrics, whilst very honest, centre around the well known country bluegrass themes of love, heartbreak, and the challenges of spending months on the road, but every now and then there is a song which stops you in your tracks. On most plays, this song for me, is We Intertwine, which is almost poetic, and beautiful in its simplicity. The line And when my heart can beat no more I hope I die for all the good that’s left in this world, and when my body gives out I hope you find out just what this whole life was for makes the hairs on my neck stand up. One of those magic moments, where as the listener, we intertwine with the song, perhaps. There are moments during this song when I am reminded of Brandi Carlisle; vocally.

The girls have said of their name, Larkin Poe; “...the name of our great-great-great-grandfather; a man who survives in the memories and hearts of succeeding generations; a legend, a tall tale, a truly everlasting story. Just the thing that we hope to become.” If this EP is anything to go by they have a very good chance; anyone know when the full CD is released?!

CD review - Rita Hosking - Come Sunrise

Rita Hosking


Come Sunrise

Tracks: 11



Self-released





Rita Hosking has oft been compared to such artists as Gillian Welch and Diana Jones on this third album, Come Sunrise, it is easy to see why. Her songs are compassionate tales about ordinary, everyday people; characters from her life in Northern California– loggers, miners (it seems unavoidable, since she is the descendant of Cornish miners, that these tales would find their way into her music), the mothers of lost sons - all sung with equal measures of warmth and passion. Montgomery Creek Blues and Promise Land are also laced with a political edge.

Robert Earl Keen’s guitarist, Rich Brotherton, stepped up to produce this album, with some help from selection of Austin session players, who add a great backdrop to Rita’s songs. Precious Little, Little Joe and Holier Than Thou allow Hoskings to show us her honky tonk side, whilst Upside Down allows Rita and the band to rock. Hiding Place, without giving away the theme, is perhaps my favourite addition to the CD.

At one time this music may have been classed as Hillbilly; now it is safely ensconced within the Americana genre, telling people’s life stories, as only a talented singer songwriter like Rita Hosking can do.

I for one, look forward to seeing what else this lady has to offer as she performs as part of The Sage’s Americana Festival outdoor stage in July. Something tells me the CD is just the tip of the iceberg…