Album Review - Acoustic Heart - Raintown

  

Its been a while since we’ve had an album from Raintown, but they have been busy both playing, recording – and living life with two young children!  When we saw them at Country In The Afternoon, they promised us new music and previewed some of this as part of their set.  Their new Album Acoustic Heart is finally here, with nine new songs alongside reimagined versions of Raintown’s previous songs including Writing on the Wall and Light the Fuse Up.

 

When asked about the album, Claire McArthur Bain said

This record takes an inward look at who we are as musicians and the true essence of Raintown. We took inspiration from the Transatlantic Sessions which brings together the best music of Nashville, Ireland and Scotland – three areas whose music has inspired us greatly over the course of our career. 

We wanted to peel away the layers with Acoustic Heart, unveiling the heart of each track and song. With Stevie’s rich background in trad music and our own unique perspective on country music and songwriting, we felt we had the appropriate tools to see our musical vision for this album come to life.

 

Play it Loud, is a superb opener for the album, excellent instrumentation (with the usual unusual mix of instruments, especially from Stevie Lawrence!) before Claire starts singing about not going out – is this autobiographical Claire?  Opening the album with such an uptempo joyful song is a great idea – it’s the emotion we felt when we got the album!  The tempo varies, the energy is there, and we agree with the demand to play it loud!

Day In The Sun has a wonderful Celtic feel and features Paul on lead vocals, while Claire returns for the plaintive My Whole World, opening with the emotive line “Wedding Dress For Sale” and accompanied by simple guitar and wonderful violin from Fiona Cuthill  Red Dress takes the tempo back up with an almost Honky Tonk feel, incorporating piano and horns on a track sure to get you tapping your feet if not up and dancing! 

My Drum My Beat is pure Raintown from the combined vocals to the music while Light The Fuse Up gives us almost a minute and half of instrumental intro ahead of the vocal showing that Raintown is very much a collective band.  In Your Heart shows how much power Claire can out into what is essentially an acoustic track and Run With The Night shows how much Raintown can mix styles and genres to create great, fun music. 

The stripped back cover of One Love is simply genius.  When they performed this live, you could see people taking a moment to connect the song to 90s Boy bands!

 

These Tears Tonight and an acoustic rendering of Writing On The Wall take us to the album’s final track Thankful For It All.  A slow, mellow track with again a superb blend of traditional instruments accompanying the acoustic guitar, it feels like a perfect way to end, with an element of reflection in the lyrics and an underlining of the Celtis influences on all of the music.

 

The entire album is well put together, and feels like a live gig in the order of songs, changes of tempo, changes of lead and the backing musicians who are allowed to come to the fore.  The list of instruments used in the recording is quite impressive, including as it does fiddle, viola, drums, harmonica, accordion, piano, Uilleann pipes, whistles five-string banjo, cello, dobro, saxophone, trumpet, acoustic guitar and snare drum.

Acoustic Heart really is fusion music at its very best, and, quite possibly, Raintown at their very best.

 

You can download and stream the album from Friday 26 April, and catch Raintown live at a number of forthcoming live performances.  

For more details find them on Facebook and Instagram and follow them on Spotify

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Gig Review - Matt Hodges - Actress and Bishop, Birmingham

 

Matt Hodges spends most of the year on the road, so it seems apt that his latest tour is called – “On The Road”

That road brought him to Birmingham last night where he played at The Actress and Bishop with special guests Gasoline and Matches.

Looking very comfortable on stage - as they always do – Sally and Steve of Gasoline and Matches admitted being slightly nervous of both the hometown crowd with many friends in the audience – and of the smoke machine as they seem to have a reputation for venues burning down!  The evening was also an unofficial continuation of Sally’s birthday celebrations from the night before in Manchester.  Although mostly ignoring doctor’s orders to rest her voice, Sally did have to relinquish vocal duties to Steve, notably on their track Smiling Viper, which did sound slightly different with Steve on lead.

Matt told us that he doesn’t like calling his opening act a “support act” – and Gasoline and Matches demonstrated this by giving a polished, powerful show, with Jamie Clayton on bass and James Randle on drums, filling the room with sound.

 

We’ve seen Matt Hodges play acoustic, in a songwriter’s round, with an orchestra and, finally, last night with his full band (Morgan Smith on Bass, Simon Hant on drums and Cole McNulty on lead guitar).  Matt has such a commanding presence and such a gruff, powerful voice it doesn’t seem to matter who is backing him – his vocal will take up the stage and the whole space, he can quite easily just stand and sing, capturing the audience.

 

Matt has been on quite a journey throughout his career in music, playing covers in Nashville, returning to songwriting after an 8 year break to now playing at independent festivals and being recognised with awards.  He is keen to include the audience on that journey and speaks fondly of the UK Country family – both artists and fans alike.  His set includes a song he wrote when he was 18, a song written in one hour as a challenge, a cocktail list inspired track, and a song used by couples for their first dance at wedding.  Matt is a down to earth, no nonsense performer.  He’s hard working – although he’s reduced from 310 shows last year to “only” 250 this year (and the year isn’t over yet!)

He highlighted the line from the song written by 18 year old him.

I know somehow I’ll always be proud to be me

Ending the show with two party hits that had the audience up dancing (with Sally and Steve back on stage), Matt has plenty to be proud of.

You can catch Matt on the remainder of his tour this month, and next Friday you can download his new single Make This Our Town

You can find Matt on Facebook and Instagram and follow him on Spotify

Silverball Country attended this show as guests of Matt Hodges

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Gig Review - Nashville Style Songwriters Round with Gary Quinn and Friends - Actress and Bishop Birmingham

 

Gary Quinn could easily be described as a curator of UK Country Music and of Country Music in the UK.  You want to attend any show Gary is involved in just to see which of his many friends from across the genre he he’s brought along, and see the artists that he draws the best out of, by co-writing with them or featuring them in his shows.

Currently touring the UK with his Nashville style songwriters round, we saw Gary and friends at Birmingham’s Actress and Bishop on Friday night.  Opening for this leg of the tour was local performer Mikki Evans.  Dressed to impress, she seemed to enjoy being on stage trying to engage with the audience and encourage them to sing a long with a mix of covers and her own original music – co-written for the most part with Host Gary. Mikki was certainly making the most of this opportunity to perhaps win some new fans!

The songwriters round was made up of Gary, Dan Smalley and Jeremy McComb.  Jeremy is becoming a familiar face whilst Dan is new to the UK.

Growing up mostly in Louisiana “catching alligators” but having lived all over the US, Dan Smalley has a voice you simply get lost in.  It doesn’t matter what the words are, you are just engrossed, captured – and you are not prepared to stop listening at the end of each song!  His guitar skills are also superb, as was his foot stomping and little (and some big) kicks!

Sat beside him, Jeremy McComb is a singer, songwriter and comedian.  An absolute natural to the stage Jeremy has no filter, and his stories are absolutely wonderful – you’ll laugh until you cry.  All his songs seem to come from real life, and what a life it has been.  He’s unashamedly redneck and obviously has a huge fondness for where he grew up in Idaho.  Although he’s never been asked to write a song about his hometown, he probably wouldn’t get a job with the tourism board either!

Our host Gary Quinn is your man if you want heart felt storytelling to draw you in – and if the soft Irish brogue is your thing!  Gary is well practised at leading songwriters rounds and despite his own success and awards he always makes sure his guests are very much supported and centre stage.

Despite the intimacy of the venue these three characters with their powerful voices and great stories gave it a much bigger feel, and easily outdid the venue’s issues.  Its not a PG show, but it’s very entertaining!

You can catch Gary, Dan and Jeremy in Oswestry tonight and Manchester on Sunday for a St Patrick’s Day celebration, and you can catch all four artists at Buckle and Boots this year.

 

Tickets for this weekend can be found at garyjpquinn.co.uk

Silverball Country attended this show as guests of Gary Quinn

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Gig Review - Nashville Sounds In The Round - an evening with First Time Flyers - Birmingham Symphony Hall February 2024

 

The latest Nashville Sounds in the Round took place on Leap Day – and as Sally from hosts Gasoline andMatches said – “strange things happen on Leap Day” so the night was a slightly different format to the usual songwriters round.

Rather than four separate guest artists, we were treated to an evening with the four artists who make up FirstTime Flyers.  I was unsure how this would pan out – and Sally admitted to me that she felt the same!

One thing that became clear very quickly was that although First Time Flyers is made up of four very talented performers, the band is definitely not just a collection of four soloists.

Interspersed with songs from our hosts, the first half of the evening was made up of songs and anecdotes from First Time Flyers – with the stories being mostly told by Vicki Manser and PoppyFardell, with interjections from Jake Morrell and Tim Prottey-Jones sitting on either side of the ladies.  Hearing about how the foursome write songs – apparently via group chat and on one glorious occasion, through a window because Jake had Covid – it becomes apparent that this band gels together very well, as any genuine group of friends does.

There was a brief Q+A from Sally and her band partner Steve which touched on “who came up with the idea of the band?” (Jake apparently), “how do you write the songs?” (all ideas into a pot and Tim laying down tracks as he is a producer) with all of the answers again pointing to how close the four are, and why the band seemed to be a natural progression - especially as they had all worked together in various projects previously. 

The chat and the stories flowed seamlessly, with nobody really acting as spokesperson and nobody talking over anyone else. 

After a brief interval we returned to an almost traditional songwriters round, but with each of the six participants singing one of their own earlier songs – in each case “from before they were in a band”

 

As well as being physically in two halves, the evening seemed to be made up of two parts – the music (which was excellent.  Seeing FTF swap leads and even instruments was fascinating) – and the chatting.  “Chatting” because despite apparently copious notes for introductions all of those on stage had history demonstrating the closeness of the UK Country Scene.

We were treated to recognisable older songs as well as the forthcoming singles from both bands (Could Have Been A Love Song and Looking Back), a potential release (“please vote for whether we should release it”), stories, laughs and even an audience Q+A.

As a different format for the evening, it was not only a refreshing change but also a very enjoyable style, one which Nashville Sounds In The Round will hopefully repeat in the future.

As for First Timer Flyers – as a band they really work.  With so much experience between them I can’t wait for the opportunity to see their full band stage show (which I have so far not seen!) – although we got a glimpse of it with their closing song “Happier”

Pretty good for a “strange things happen” show!

Nashville Sounds In The Round returns on Saturday 20 April for a UK/US show!

Silverball Country attended Nashville Sounds in the Round as guests of Gasoline and Matches and B:Music

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Single Review - Til Last Call - Alan Finlan

 

Alan Finlan can always be seen at a festival playing his guitar and singing – even if he’s not on stage! In fact someone has said to him

you bring a party everywhere you guys go!

With this in mind, it is no surprise that his new single – Til Last Call – is about, well, partying!

Opening with electric guitar, the instrumentation is quite heavy on guitar and drums, bringing the feel of a noisy bar on a Friday night.  Alan has always had a powerful vocal, and coupled with the sound of this track you can imagine him in the bar, getting the drinks in, calling to his mates and just generally having a great time to end the working week!  If you’ve seen Alan performing live, you’ll know that “having a great time” is pretty much his on stage style!

Til Last Call is released on Saturday 24 February to coincide with his first headline gig, in a familiar venue to him, close to his home town.  As well as featuring his new single (and Gasoline and Matches as support) it will also feature a new beer which Alan has helped to brew

Clearly Alan doesn’t believe in doing things by halves (there’s probably a joke there about doing things in pints, but we’ll pass on that!) – a headline show, a new single, a new beer, all by last call.

If you have a ticket to Saturday’s sold out show, then you are absolutely in for a treat, if you aren’t able to make the show then you can stream or download the single, turn it up loud and pretend that you are there!

 

Til Last Call, the new single from Alan Finlan is available on all major platforms from Saturday 24 February.

 

Find Alan on Facebook and Instagram and follow him on Spotify

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Gig Review - Girls Night In The Round - Birmingham Symphony Hall

I’m not sure that I’ve ever been to a show that opens with all four performers strutting/dancing on to the stage to the sound of Shania Twain singing “Lets Go Girls”, opening and pouring  the wine and then taking their seats – but then again, I’ve never been to Girls Night In…The Round before!

If you are yet to see this show, let me set the scene a little.  Its four of the very best female singers from the UK Country Music scene in a songwriters round…but fuelled by Jamshed wine (legitimately - they are sponsors!).  Once in their seats the four introduce the show by singing their own theme song, taking a line each and ending with a beautiful harmony.

The four are (in the order they were sitting) Kezia Gill, Jess Thristan, Demi Marriner and Jade Helliwell who are all friends away from the stage – in fact the tour was apparently conceived in a hot tub session.

As is fitting for such a night, there was a lot of sparkles on stage, with a special mention made for Jess Thristan’s jacket, although the comments were also slightly envious from the others!

 

In many ways, this show is not about music.  Well, it is, but it’s not just about the music!  The interactions, the jokes, the stories (a fight at the Glasgow date last tour) and the very obvious closenesss of the friendship all make this quite a unique tour.  It also adds to the flow of the performances – when Jess started a song and was advised politely, and then lovingly but less politely, by the others that she need to tune her guitar, there was no awkward silence as often happens.

The rounds are grouped by themes/titles (which is a great idea!) – including introductions, co-writes (Jade has co-written with all three!), Cry in your Wine and notably the Unreleased Round where each artist sings a song that is so far unheard, and these songs will change from venue to venue – accompanied by a plea to not put any videos on social media, making it an intimate treat for each audience.

In all there were 6 rounds with a short interval with the first half rounded off by an absolute showstopper How Long Have You Known and the recent single Jolene which we reviewed here.

It would be almost impossible to properly describe all the humour, situational jokes (Jade and her eyelashes), music choices and stories – and I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun if you are seeing the tour this week.

Suffice to say the show gives an insight into what it might be like to be on a night out – or a night in – with Kezia, Jess, Demi and Jade, and you can make your own mind up about who might be the ringleader of any shenanigans.  It also showcases the writing and performance skills of all four.

 

Girls Night In The Round is on tour all this week until Saturday 17 February taking in Liverpool, Glasgow, Gateshead and Leeds.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or direct from the venues

 

Although it was a girls night, we can’t forget to mention the input from Lloyd and Luke, husband and husband to be respectively of Kezia and Jade.

 

Silverball Country attended Girls Night In The Round in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall as guests of Zimagined Artist Management and UK Country Live

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Single Review - Jolene - Jess Thristan

 

We all know her. Flaming locks of auburn hair with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green – that  man stealing hussy.

We all know the song, we can all sing it word for word. 

It's a well-known song about a well-known story. The man has his head turned, his wife doesn't want to lose him. She's not afraid to admit she's begging.

It’s an absolute staple for country fans and non-country fans alike, it’s a karaoke classic, a guaranteed party singalong.

It has also been covered, by Mindy Smith, The White Stripes, Strawberry Switchblade, Olivia Newton John, Me First and the Gimmee Gimmees, Dolly’s Goddaughter Miley Cyrus – there’s even a dance remix!  In the 78 versions, there’s a Dolly Parton cover – in collaboration with Pentatonix.

To record not just a cover but an interpretation takes some guts - even with three of your friends backing you up.

Jess Thristan has taken on the challenge, and having assembled her girls – Kezia Gill, Jade Helliwell and Demi Marriner - as her back up she has released a new imagining of the classic Jolene.

The delivery of this version is faultless, with all four voices combining in near perfect harmonies, with the tempo slowed right down, and an almost ethereal quality to the sound.

Rather than the begging of the original, this feels like defeat. He’s gone, she’s taken him from you – its over.

Down but not out, this new single has allowed Jess and the three singers to show off a level of inventiveness and skill that perhaps they don’t always get to do.  You can witness more of this as the quartet are taking their popular “Girls Night In The Round” back out on tour in February with dates in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Gateshead and Leeds.  Tickets are available now, and are sure to sell very quickly!

Jolene, the new single from Jess Thristan is available to download and stream from Friday 2 February

You can find Jess on Instagram and Facebook, and follow her on Spotify

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