Single Review - Until I Do - Tim Prottey-Jones ft Stephanie Quayle

 

Looking back to when we had our first sit down with Tim Prottey Jones after he had opened for Jessica Lynn with his new band The Fatherline we were struck by how reserved he was, almost shy, and not making a big deal of his quite incredible musical CV.  You almost have to drag out of Tim some of his stories of appearing in the West End, on stage at Hyde park and a memorable night at the Grand Old Opry

Fast forward to now, and Tim seems far more comfortable in his “new” guise as – well, as Tim really!  With his single releases under his own name, his production work, his many collaborations during lockdown and his near legendary videos, staring into the camera!

With this apparent comfort comes his new single “Until I Do” – a duet with American artiste Stephanie Quayle.  Although Tim is a skilled songwriter in his own right, the new song was written by Nashville Songwriter Jeff Cohen who was also the link to Stephanie, with Tim wanting to have a cross Atlantic duet.  Stephanie too seemed very keen on the project

Tim is an incredible artist and human and when he reached out about the opportunity to collaborate on his song ‘Until I Do’, it was an honour to be a part of it

So to the music – opening straight into Tim’s vocals, deep and mellow over a simple piano track before the instrumentation starts to grow in the background – drums, mandolin, guitar provide a wonderful platform for the combination of Tim and Stephanie’s voices.  Although recorded on opposite sides of the ocean, the two combine so beautifully, so seamlessly you would swear that they are in the same studio, looking at each other as they sing of searching for love

I’d search the whole world over to find you, till I do

Until I do is modern Nashville at its best, a well written track performed by two perfectly matched singers, possibly the best that we have heard from Tim…so far!

Tim will be performing at this year’s Buckle and Boots Country Festival, and we can’t wait to hear him back on stage where he belongs

Until I Do, the new single from Tim Prottey-Jones featuring Stephanie Quayle is available to download and stream from Friday 16 April

Find and follow Tim on Facebook, Instagram, his website and Spotify

For additional information on Stephanie Quayle and to listen to new music, please visit: stephaniequayle.com

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

EP Review - Dusk - Mitchell Kersley

 

Mitchell Kersley has burst into our consciousness recently with his debut release Howlin’ at the Moon and the follow up I Only Cry When I’m Drinking.  We were mesmerised by the imagery in the songs and even the artwork, and Mitchell’s Outlaw Country style and we were keen to hear the finished EP Dusk

The title track of the EP opens with quite an unusual guitar sound followed by a slow measured vocal.  With a feel of a Celtic folk song, made more Country with the pedal steel demonstrating how Mitchell will embrace and combine styles to give his own sound.  The melancholy feel of this tale of love turned sour perhaps sets the tone for this EP – a collection of ballads rather than a party album!  In the true Country style though, it appears that Whiskey is helping him come to terms with the love he took for granted.

Seventeen is just Mitchell and his acoustic guitar. It is a song of wistful reminiscence, thinking back to better times, but transported there by the love that you still have.  The relationship that he sings about may not be perfect, but he acknowledges in his heart that it is all part of the whole, going back to those younger days at 17 when the love was fresh – first beer, first time hearing Elvis, first car.  It is one man singing of one man’s memories, although the subtle layered vocals toward the end of the track add an extra depth, and you can almost hear the emotion in the way he is playing his six string

Just the title of The Ballad of Joseph Murphy gives you a clue as to how the song will go – and of that wasn’t enough of a hint the menacing opening, clank of spurs in the footsteps, cawing of crows and a gunshot before the heavy drumbeat and strident electric guitar sure set the scene! In comes the half sung, half spoken gruff vocals.  It’s a frontier town, a spit and sawdust saloon and a story wanting to be told.  Living a life one step ahead of the law and one step ahead of a noose Joseph Murphy is perhaps the personification of Mitchell’s Outlaw Country roots.

The whole EP has a certain tone, and is a showcase of the writing and performance talents of Mitchell – for sure a storyteller, for sure an outlaw looking to make his mark on the scene. 

We’ll be keeping a close eye on you Mitchell!

Dusk - the new EP from Mitchell Kersley -  is available now to download and stream on all major platforms

Find and follow Mitchell on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

Gig Review - Gasoline & Matches at JoeJoeJims Bar

A review of a gig doesn’t have to be just about the band – no matter how good they might be!  On Sunday it was a local gig for a local band – but in a venue that can only be described as “quirky” – also fascinating, weird, amazing and fun!

The band were Gasoline and Matches in their duo format singing a mix of their own original music from their first ep and their forthcoming album, classic country covers and some wonderful arrangements of classic songs.  Particular treats were a slowed down “Livin’ On A Prayer”, Steve channelling Johnny Cash for “Folsom Prison Blues” and tracks from the new album – “Smiling Viper” and “Gentlemen are Patient Wolves”.

So to the venue. Fletchers Arcade has been a feature of the Birmingham Lickey Hills since 1920. Still owned by the same family – the owner is affectionately known as “Fletch” – the arcade also now contains JoeJoeJims Bar which is growing as the place to go for music, comedy and anything else that Fletch decides to put on!

As the name suggests, Fletchers Arcade contains games…but what a collection of games!  PacMan, Space Invaders, Out Run and more – I can relive my teenage years when I should have been studying but clearly wasn’t!  Personal favourites for both myself and Francesca are the pinball machines – its how “Silverball Country” got its name – though whilst I favour the Guns’n’Roses game Francesca can be found on the adjacent Adams Family.  In addition to the retro games, penny falls and separate room of slot machines, the arcade also has relics of bygone days – a pedal car on the wall, a vespa by the stage, 50s celebrity cut-outs dotted around and a wheel of Fortune by the toilets

The new stage has replaced the very crazy golf (which will be replaced soon) and the wooden letters spelling the band’s name are a very nice touch!  The bar is well stocked with a range of gins as well as well the drinks you’d expect to find, the seats are retro and one seat is a cowboy saddle – very appropriate for Gasoline & Matches’ appearance.  The pizza kitchen and varied menu complete the offering – the pizza are fresh and the hots dogs massive!

With so many music venues being rather samey – slow bar service, sticky floor, dubious toilets, rubbish view – it is refreshing to visit a venue with character, especially one where you can wipe out aliens during the interval!

Fletchers Arcade/JoeJoeJims Bar can be fund at the foot of the Lickey Hills in Rednal, Birmingham.  Keep up with their future plans on Facebook and their website.

Gasoline & Matches can be found at Summer Festivals and in the studio finishing off their eagerly awaited new album 

Follow them on Facebook and their website

Rik was reliving his misspent youth while listening to contemporary country music... Sundays don't get much better

Artiste Profile – Gasoline & Matches

Sally and Steve are not just one of UK country's power couples, but they are the cornerstone of one of the most exciting "new" bands on the scene. They aren't actually new, having been performing together since 2015 but they are making a very noticeable impression at festivals, invitation gigs and by hosting their own songwriters night on their hometown of Birmingham.

Both Sally and Steve are full time professional musicians, splitting their time between gigging on the local live circuit, promoting at trade shows and writing kick ass country songs.
Despite what TV talent shows may make people think, working out on the pub/club/event circuit is really the only way to really learn and polish your craft

For both of these two, music is not a hobby, it's a living and a way of life

Sally sings lead and plays acoustic guitar, and as a natural performer an entertainer she is very much the front of the band
Steve's style with his more measured vocals really complements Sally, and their voices blend to perfection. 

As well as a fabulous voice, Steve's skills with a guitar are simply second to none, able to persuade 6 steel strings to produce notes, riffs and sounds that you wouldn't think possible.

Taking a solo or duo to full band can often totally change the sound and style but with Gasoline and Matches the addition of bass, keys and drums emphasises but doesn't alter the rocky, country vibe, giving a fuller, almost louder sound, totally filling a large stage, hall or festival.

The original songs from Sally and Steve are honest country, telling a story, relating emotions that everyone can relate to - very much "three chords and the truth"

What's next for Gasoline & Matches? Having released their debut ep in 2018, scoring a UK country number 1 in the process, their thoughts are on a full album after the festival season as well as more and more live performances and representing the ever-growing UK Country Music scene

Sunday Showcase - A night out in Clubland

Saturday afternoons were made for professional sport, a polished, slick, well attended spectacle. Saturday evenings, and indeed the whole weekend is for live music, watching or gigging depending which side of the microphone you are, and not always such a polished, slick, well attended spectacle.

Live music can be anything from a stadium tour to the back room of a pub, and without the latter we wouldn't have the former.

A phenomenon sadly rare in the south but still very much in existence north of Watford is the true social club. 50p gets you in, an additional £2 allows you on to the ballroom for the Sunday showcase. 

Here is what that £2.50 offered.

Opening act was a flat capped acoustic singer, adding a rather mid Atlantic accent to his rock covers, nice enough and not bad for the cover charge.  In honesty, there’s not much more to say about the opener.

Young Elvis then took to the stage in a wonderful gold lame’ jacket singing along to a backing track with a passable accent and fake strumming his guitar, regardless of the instrument on the track at the time.  A quick change to a jumpsuit took the compere a bit by surprise and the next tracks were accompanied by rather more pelvic action.

Act three. Sixties covers. The absolute backbone of the club scene. These covers bands tend to look the same, sound the same and sing the same songs where ever you go, but they always tend to be crowd pleasers, performing all the well-known standards

Being a social club there has to be a break for bingo, or in this case "open the box", before the final two "turns" take to the stage

So, number four on tonight’s bill.  Up and down the country, blonde girls are singing to backing tracks, with no musical instruments anywhere near the stage. The sound system is expensive, the purchased, recorded backing vocals are polished, the actual performance is perhaps not quite to the same level, certainly not as good as the singer might believe.

The club circuit is heavily populated by cover artistes, you give the audience what they know and what they like.  The club scene though is also where new artistes cut their teeth, it is an important rite of passage if you want to make it in the industry.

The fifth and final act of the night was a UK Country singer/songwriter.

To perform original music to a club crowd will never be easy, but easy doesn't make for a career and if you can win over the Sunday night crowd of regulars, you can win over anyone.  They may not dance. They won't sing along, but when the room goes as quiet as a club room ever will, then you know they are listening. They are also judging, but they are listening. Drop in a well known ballad and see if they sing along. 

They did.


The ballroom has a stage, an old mirror ball  and a pork pie buffet in the toilet/dressing room/green room, the raffle is more keenly followed than any singer will ever be, but these clubs have produced and polished generations of performers, and if the gods of live music are kind they will carry in doing so for a long time to come

Song Review - Tequila's A Healer by Gasoline & Matches

After an amazing breakthrough year, opening at festivals, playing huge stages and bagging Duo of the Year at the BCMA British Country Music Association Awards, Gasoline & Matches have given us all a Christmas Present this year by releasing their latest single on Christmas Eve.

More stripped back than the rest of the EP, Tequila's A Healer really brings into focus Sally Rea Morris' vocals with Steven Marks harmonies and a stunning, almost plaintive, guitar solo

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The co-star of this piece is the 40 year old 12 string Epiphone guitar - although its our heart strings that are tugged and plucked in this song of lost love and memories of those loved ones

The song is raw and emotive, in Sally's own words:

"‘We all lose someone we love, and there’s always those things that remind you of them. It’s those memories that keep them alive in your heart and I hope this song helps remind you of that.” 

Do yourself a favour, download this track and play it while sipping a glass of a smooth bourbon, whilst toasting those lost loves, (Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey for us)

Download Tequila's A Healer

Gig Review - Kacey Musgraves "Oh What A World Tour" Birmingham October 2018

Sunday night saw Rik and Francesca off to the 02 Academy in Birmingham to catch Kacey Musgraves' Oh What A World Tour

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An "interesting" choice of support act - Soccer Mommy were the most downbeat openers I have ever seen. We were encouraged to dance, but with every song lacking any tempo, that was never really an option. Lead singer Sophie took to the stage alone to sing a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" - and managed to slow it down even more than the Boss ever did! 

Fortunately Kacey took the stage and livened up the room. Although "Golden" is not - in my opinion - as good as her first album the show was certainly enjoyable throughout, with some great audience singalongs which will hopeful convince Kacey to stick to her Country roots, rather than the Pop Princess path she is toying with. Entertaining and enjoyable - I wasn't blown away as other artistes have managed, but I was certainly thrilled to hear Kacey Musgraves live

Francesca and Rik - Silverball Country

Gig Review - Carousel Tour 2018 At The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham

I thought I was just popping out for a bit of music on a Tuesday night, with no great expectations from two acts that I had not heard of or heard anything by. I was in for a double surprise.

Support act Alex Ohm took to the stage, just a guy and a guitar, but reminiscent of one of those "surprise" X Factor auditions his voice soared and powered through the small room, almost plaintive at times, much in the style of the current crop of male singers but managing not to sound like just another boy and guitar.

Starting with his own compositions he switched -as many new artistes do - to a cover, but in this case it was a slow, acoustic version of "You're the one that I Want" - yes, the end track from the movie Grease! Did it work? You bet your life it did.

Whilst perhaps not a flawless set, it was a very enjoyable and quite unexpected opening slot, and Alex seemed to warm up as his set went on, cracking jokes about "I feel like one of Westlife sitting on this stool - but with an instrument" . A member of the audience instantly replied "And with talent" – a very fair summation of this local opener.

Styling themselves as Americana, the first thing I noticed about Carousel is the collection of instruments on stage - not a collection normally seen on any stage outside a trad folk show! A harmonium, fiddle, a mandolin and a 10-string cittern as well as the two guitars you'd expect from most live bands.

Opening with their song "Seconds" Carousel blend strident guitar, fiddle and harmonium to great effect, backed with a stunning three-way harmony on the chorus.

"Dead Horse" picked up the pace with harmonium swapped for a mandolin, and the fiddle giving a superb soaring counterpoint to the vocals and again, the stunning harmonies.

Listening to "In the Wild " which featured the cittern, you realise that Carousel are a real fusion band, cleverly blending traditional instruments with acoustic and electric guitar, blending their complementary voices and blending folk, Americana and their own personal experiences.

Sarah took lead on her self-penned "Smile", showing that even lead vocal is easily interchangeable with this quartet.

"My father's son" showed not only the Americana influence, but also the rockier side to Carousel and included 4 voices in perfect harmony and a true rock guitar solo from songwriter Tom, who dedicated the song to the support of his own father.

"Over the wall" got the audience clapping and stomping the intro - getting a small weekday crowd involved shows the charisma of this four-piece from Southend (And the mention of their hometown elicited an ironic cheer) the song itself relied more on the voices than the instruments.

“Doug's song” is about Sarah's bow tie wearing dog, the introduction to this song featured great banter between the band members and the audience, as Toby tuned his cittern while bemoaning it as an instrument.
"Firesong" is their latest single, released while on this tour, followed by the less serious, toe-tapping "Man on the Run" which was apparently inspired by the tv show "Sons of Anarchy”

This show was day 6 of their first headline tour, although Tom was convinced it was only day 5; the band were thrilled that a number of people had found them and come out to see them play. Listening to the band discuss and bicker about the "frog line" in "Don't let it die" showed how comfortable they are together and that they clearly enjoy what they do. - and it's a great song!
"Comfortable Skin" touches on mental health, and being there for someone, really showing the maturity of this young band.

"Porcelain" has Sarah again sing lead, with Tom and Chris on backing sounding almost like one voice, to the extent that I had to look and check they really were both singing, with Sarah expertly leading the audience in a sing-a-long.
After some heartfelt thank-yous the final song "These hands" was a great up-tempo party track and had the whole crowd clapping along with the band.
Carousel demonstrated a new take on walking off for an encore - just turn your backs (the Hare and Hounds isn't really big enough for a proper walk off/walk back on).

The encore song was "Show" which really kept the party feeling going from the previous song and left everyone wishing the party could carry on longer!
Tom asked everyone if they would come to see them again. From me personally a resounding "yes"!

On a cold night in Birmingham these guys from Southend have definitely won a new set of fans, even ones with "funny accents" (Thank you Sarah) and I will be amazed and disappointed if I don’t see them featured at any of next year’s UK festivals

The Silver Balls - Silverball Country Awards 2018 pt 2

Part 2 of our Silver Balls - the awards for the best we saw in 2018....

Best Duo

At Silverball Country we are big fans of all Country music - new and old, established acts and the new, independent artistes. These awards are focused on acts that we have seen and heard, and on those who are promoting Country Music in the UK. There aren't many "big" acts from the UK yet but one duo in particular can probably claim to be the face (at the moment) of UK Country. 
Our award for *Duo of the Year*, in recognition of the music they make, the albums they have sold and the mainstream attention that they bring to UK country music goes to the biggest act on the list - The Shires

Best Musician

Lets face it - all these singers are nothing without the bands behind them! There are some amazing musicians on the UK country scene, whether it is Johnny Pedals on the pedal steel, Steven John Marks making a guitar do things I didn't know they could do, or Luke Thomas playing guitar for...well, almost everyone...we are spoiled by the talent out there. One performer though is a class above. Rik first saw this musician at Buckle & Boots Country Festival when he was told that he really MUST go to the main stage. Francesca was already there and loved the show, and was able to confirm this at the BCMAS 2018 when we sent some time chatting after the show

Our Silver Ball for best musician goes to Sarah Jory

Group Of The Year

Some of these categories were really tough to judge because there are so many potential winners, and this category is no exception! One of the myriad wonderful things about Country Music is the fact that so many performers are in bands, with combinations of instruments bringing out a different or bigger sound.

One such UK band combine music and voices so well, change up the tempo and are getting the recognition they deserve, both across UK festivals and even on Radio2 where Michael Ball is a self confessed big fan.

Our Silver Ball for Group of the Year goes to The Wandering Hearts

Entertainer Of The Year

We weren't sure about including this category - because we weren't entirely sure what it means, but it did get us thinking. 

Live music performances in our opinion - is not simply down to musicianship, its about putting on a show, getting the crowd going and really leaving an impression. Whether it is on stage banter, sheer energy, coming into the audience singing 80s pop tunes, we'd probably all want to see an "entertainer". 

Phil Vassar provided all of these things on his recent tour - long intros to songs, engaging with the crowd (there was no set list!) and a cracking after show in Bilston, we would therefore like to award Entertainer of the Year to the amazing Phil Vassar

Best Female Vocalist

We wanted to choose a solo artiste for this award, someone known for performing as them self, rather than fronting a band. With this in mind, and based n 2018 there was really only one choice. With a fantastic voice whether on a big stage, a small event or even on a street corner with a busker (!) our Female Vocalist Silver Ball goes to Jade Helliwell

Best Male Vocalist

Same criteria - and a this one is a bit...unexpected? There were some obvious contenders - runners up if you will. Gary Quinn, Darren from the Southern Companion - both excellent singers (Darren is singing solo quite a bit now) and both great songwriters.

There is one artiste that Rik has met a couple of times but Francesca hadn't heard of. Francesca then started to talk about an Artiste she had seen on one of the stages at C2C, a guy with a genuinely Country voice, a country style. Its a voice that can ONLY sing country. On checking the video, it was the same guy! If you haven't seen it, check the vie of him singing "Oh Holy Night"

Our Silver Ball for best Male Vocalist goes to Lars Pluto

Best Gig of 2018

I'll be honest, we argued. We talked. We discussed. We argued some more.

How do you decide what is the best gig? Or even what constitutes a gig rather than an event?

Francesca had a great time at the Brothers Osborne, the energy in the room was amazing. Rik saw Luke Combs in Birmingham - it was one long party

Francesca thought that Live In The Living Room was such great value for money, but sadly under-attended. Rik has met so many new (to him) artistes at Gasoline and Matches' Nashville Suns In The Round, Jenn Bostic's album launch for Revival was a great evening, Carousel at the Hare and Hounds was our first formal review

So many great gigs and events, so many new friends made over the past year that we simply can't award a Silver Ball - so to you all, feel nominated! We look forward to a new year of music, gigs and friends and if you are planning a gig - please drop us a line, we'd love to come, see you and write it up afterwards!