Album Review - Rebegin - Jade Helliwell

 

What can we say about Jade that we haven’t said before?  We’ve known Jade both professionally and personally for years now, spent time with her on festival stages, green rooms, award shows and in quieter moments post show and during those festivals.  Although her arrival on the scene was pretty spectacular (how many views now on THAT video?) and despite winning many awards, Jade is still – well, Jade!

We’ve all seen her sing her own creations, duet with other UK artists and absolutely rock the stage with the Honky Tonk Roadshow and those big finale shows at Buckle and Boots, we’ve seen her play intimate shows with all the same energy and professionalism too.

Performer, songwriter and now mother, Jade has never sat still.  Never really “re-inventing” herself, Jade keeps pushing, pushing at the industry, pushing at the genre and pushing at herself.  Girls Night In, The Company You Keep, Do You Know Any Oasis, One Night Stand – it feels like there’s just no limits!

Its not scattergun though, Jade is taking stock of her life and career, which leads us to her new album.  Rebegin is as much a statement as a body of work.  We’ve heard some of the tracks as singles, we’ve heard some live, but put together it shows us where Jade is, and where she’s going.  Blending emotional songs (Rebegin, Monster) with pure power (Drink You Outta My Mind) the focus is on her vocal, although with husband Luke Thomas in her corner, the instrumentation is obviously superb.  The vocal – even the slower tracks have power to them, Jade sings them like she means every word, because she does!  The words themselves are powerful, with the album featuring additional writing by producer Alyssa Bonagura, Laura Oakes, Phil Donnelly, and Jessica Thristan.  The writing reflects Country – it’s honest storytelling, and it comes from the heart.

So, great vocals, great instrumentation, great songwriting.  An album that means something and is very listenable.  What else could we ask for?  Well, a tour obviously!  Live performances are the backbone of music, especially Country.  You can sit at home listening to this album (and you really should!) but to hear it live, to hear Jade talk about the songs (we can’t imagine Jade on stage not talking!) has to be the best way to experience it. 

Playing across the UK from April 20 you can catch Jade in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Leeds before she takes a breath ahead of festival season, starting at Buckle and Boots.

I changed my name, changed my address and I let some people go.  I got a baby on the way, something I didn’t think Id say for a while, but I wouldn’t change a thing, I’m ready to rebegin.

It’s a new chapter for Jade in so many ways, and we’re thrilled to see it – and excited for what comes next!

Rebegin, The new album from Jade Helliwell is available to presave now and download from Friday 20 March.  Tickets for the Rebegin tour can be found on her website.

Find Jade on Facebook and Instagram, and follow her on Spotify

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Album Review - All I Own - Jessica Lynn

 

Jessica Lynn is an absolute bundle of energy, which shows in both her live performances and in her recordings.  With musicians for parents (who are part of her band) it is fair to say that Jessica was born to be on stage, and if you’ve had chance to see her, you will probably agree!

 

It would take too long to list all of Jessica’s attributes, but being a fighter is near the top of that list, and the new album – All I Own – is testament to her resilience.  Dealing with health issues, wider global problems that affected tours and even adopting a disabled dog, Jessica doesn’t let anything hold her back – in fact, she seems to channel it all into her music!

The first track, Bet On It, lays down a marker for the album.  Heavy guitar riff, strong rhythm and Jessica’s Country Rock vocal lets you know from the off that this is not an album of soft ballads! Something Bout You continues the vibe, albeit with a slightly lighter instrumental line, putting more focus on the words and emotion in them.  Ain’t Done With You shows that the band can drive a song in different ways, always guitar driven but this time with a great drum/percussion added to it.  The title track All I Own takes a small break from the rock, with acoustic guitar and strings perfectly accompanying the first softer song.  Jessica has the ability to switch between rocking out and emotional, at live shows she has reduced an audience to absolute silence while listening. 

Shame changes tempo again, a very Latin feel incorporating some pop style production and using the best of these styles.  If Shame is Latin, Mixed Signals is unashamedly rock, summoning up a smoke-filled dive bar sound and feel, bringing in a bluesy edge.

 

Scott Vincent

The entire album is incredibly listenable, as Jessica goers “twisting and turning” through different styles, changes of tempo, fabulous use of instrumentation to accompany each track.  From the near theatrical Mixed Signals into the more country sounding Straight Outta Luck and then the beautiful, heartfelt duet You Save Me, any part of this album takes you on a journey.  While the songs form part of Jessica’s journey, you are able to use them for your own story too.

From the evocative harmonies and steel of You Save Me, the drums and rock edge are back with 16 Miles, but this time with a gospel feel, and strings playing the part of the backing choir.  Despite setbacks – medical, global and personal, Jessica will never hide, never use anything as an excuse.  The recording of this album was a physical trial and so it is fitting that the closing track is I Never Said It’d Be Easy.  Maybe the most obviously personal track of the ten, it is an anthem to overcoming struggles but in the uplifting style that we have come to expect from listening to Jessica in the studio and live.  It’s the perfect ending to an close to perfect album

 

Silverball Country

The talent, the passion, the fight is all clear to see.  Behind the performer is a tight family and a fabulous welcoming manner.  The album is a personal journey, but one we are invited to join in with and interpret our own way.  It’s like a ten track recording of Jessica cheering us all on from the sidelines.

All I Own, the new album from Jessica Lynn is available to download or stream from Friday 17 January.

You can find Jessica on Facebook and Instagram and follow her music on Spotify

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Single Review - Daddy's Girl (Live) - Emilia Quinn

A few short years ago, the Paddock stage at Buckle and Boots played host to a girl and her guitar – she was just about to release an ep, and we even recorded a promo clip with her.  The next time she was at Buckle and Boots she was back on that stage, playing an absolute storming set with her full band.  From there she went to the main stage, and this year she will be headlining the main stage!

We are talking, of course, of Emilia Quinn, whose journey from mid-afternoon slot to headliner we have felt part of, and seeing her on her headline tour was of course very exciting!

Emilia not only understands how to entertain a crowd, she also understands value – that headline tour having now produced a second live single, both recorded at her Birmingham date (we were at that one! Review )

Her new single – Daddy’s Girl – originally appeared on her Wanderlust and Breaking Rules Album and in fact supplies the name in its first words!  Recorded through the sound desk at the venue it is a “clean” recording (no crowd noise etc until the end of the track) but it captures Emilia’s performance vocal and energy that comes from being on stage in front of a live audience.  The song will be familiar to many – opening with a strong guitar line (with a wonderful mix of electric and Emilia’s acoustic) the instrumental has a very “western” feel to it, and the vocal is very much that of a story teller.

Emilia describes it in a way that is almost a description of herself…

A feisty, sassy, and take-no-prisoners kind of song, layered in metaphors which is one of my favourite ways to write. It is a story of standing up to the patriarchy that seems never too far away in life and particularly in the music industry. Read between the lines for a whole new perspective to this song...

These live recordings (along with the previously released Head Rush) are a great way to hear Emilia, although the best way to to see her live!  With a list of festival appearance this summer, you have plenty of opportunity!  Check Emilia’s socials and website for more details of where you can see her play.

Emilia is also on her own "Barefaced" tour again later this year

Emilia has come a long way since that first Buckle and Boots Paddock stage appearance – we can’t wait to see where this feisty, sassy take-no-prisoners artist goes next!

Daddy's Girl (Live) - the new single from Emilia Quinn - is available to download and stream from Friday 3 March

Find Emilia on Facebook, Instagram and her website and follow her on Spotify

 

Emilia Quinn is represented by ZimagineD Artist Management

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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 and Album Review - Wanderlust and Breaking Hearts - Emilia Quinn

 

“You’ve made my dream come true”

Emilia Quinn took the stage in the intimate but iconic venue 2 at The Hare and Hounds in Birmingham on Wednesday night as part of her Wanderlust and Breaking Hearts tour – a tour that could have been titled the Dreams Come True Tour.  An opportunity to not only play a headline tour but also release – in fact “celebrate” her debut album was clearly a massive deal for Emilia who has seen her standing in the UK Country scene grow over the past few years, from acoustic solo sets to main stage performances at Buckle and Boots.

 

Accompanied by her loyal and very talented band – John W Doyle on lead guitar, Michael Addy on bass and Steven McMurray on drums – Emilia spent an hour and a half on stage playing not just the new tracks but some old favourites too. The night was certainly a celebration – of the new album, of Emilia’s vocal range and her songwriting ability.

 

With two opening acts, the night was certainly good value, and in a lovely touch, Emilia made a point of coming to the stage to personally introduce each one.

Friend and fellow Yorkshire resident Matt Hodges opened the show with an acoustic set.  Most people will be more used to seeing Matt with a full band – or even an orchestra last summer! – but with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and his deep, gravelly voice he warmed up the crowd for the night to follow.  With catchy sing along songs and a superb set ending rendition of Friends In Low Places it is easy to see why Matt spends most of his year on the road performing – and he has just finished his own UK tour along with Ruthie Collins.

Matt gave way to Midlands band Wood Burnt Red.  Formed in 2020, WBR have exploded onto the UK country scene.  Squeezing five of them on to the stage they brought their style of southern rock which complements Emilia’s own style.  Playing their back catalogue and their latest single – 18 Stone -  you could sense the room warming up ready for our headliner!

 

Emilia Quinn has come a long way, but it her own words she’s not stopping!  Despite the scale of the undertaking – an album and a headline tour all in one week – she remains a calm, professional performer, although she did say to us before the show

I’ll take it in when its finished 

The band support her superbly – even filling in while she changes guitar! – and provide a strong platform for her voice.  Probably her best loved hit, the rocky and feisty Outlaw certainly got the crowd going, and they listened attentively to her sadder songs.  The inclusion of Girltalk called for an additional singer – and if you weren’t at the Birmingham show you missed the sight of Tom Franklin from Wood Burnt Red in a blonde wig filling in for the multiple female vocals on that single!

 

The album itself is a bit of a departure from some of her previous work, with a gospel/blues influence to many of the tracks.  Hearing it live was hugely different to listening to our review copy, especially as Emilia explains the influences behind the songs – her wife Tammy (Magpie) , the loss of her grandfather (Rosary Beads).  We learned that Mountains is just Emilia and piano because the band couldn’t fit in the studio when recording it and decided that they couldn’t add anything to it.

Southern Gospel influenced River rightly opens the album, and opens with just Emilia’s voice before the backing instrumentation comes in softly.  This sets the tone for what is to come and demonstrates a maturing since the earlier work, whilst Magpie shows that Emilia hasn’t lost her rocky edge.  Nothing To Lose blends a soft opening with a uptempo rhythm.  Previous single Mr Shame is a nod to bad relationships and a nod to more rock/pop infused country.  In My Boots is bluesy with a thumping bass track that we all clapped and stamped to at the live show, while Mountains is slow and heartfelt, working perfectly as just keys/vocal.  On The Run is again blues, whilst Daddy’s Girl gives us the album and tour title, opening with the words “Wanderlust and Breaking Rules”.  Rosary Beads is clearly very personal, and was an outpouring after the loss of her Grandfather, a very measured and gentle tribute.  Final track Backroads also closes the live show.  Is a fitting close to both as it has the message of overcoming your struggles and keeping on to your goal.

 

If the album showcases Emilia’s developing songwriting ability, the live show showcases her developing performance.  Entertaining, talented and professional, she’ll “keep travelling down these backroads” and it should be a great journey!

Silverball Country attended Wanderlust and Breaking Rules at the Hare and Hounds  as guests of Emilia Quinn and ZimagineD Artist Management

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Album Review - A State Of Mind - Simon James

Has it really been three years?  Apparently so!  We saw Simon James play the most recent Country In The Afternoon (a wonderful “Festival In A Day” put on by  Gavin and Christine Chittick at the Half Moon in Putney) and when he started to sing we agreed that his was a voice we have missed.

 

Fear not.  Simon is back!  His new album A State Of Mind drops on Friday 13 October, and as ever we have had a copy in advance to have a listen to.  The question is then - was it worth the wait?  We were excited to find out…

 

Well, the simple answer is yes.  Simon has always added a certain UK edge to country music.  Unashamedly a Northern Man, his songwriting reflects this, by not trying to be an imitation of American country writers and performers.  Instead, his stories and imagery are real, recognisable and they draw you in.  In terms of the sound, there are influences of folk in there, perhaps some Celtic vibes – you get the feeling that Simon presents you with his music and says, “here it is, this is me”.  Defying a specific label, just sit back and enjoy the music.  This latest album in particular feels very warm and comforting, like a malt whisky and a log fire in winter.  As you listen to the tracks, you will feel the music wash over you, as you just appreciate the tones, the words and especially the instrumentation, with his guitar augmented by strings, drums, piano, and some great backing vocals!  When we last saw Simon play he was on stage with just his acoustic guitar, but this album would be ideal to be played live with a full orchestra – just an idea for you Simon!

 

So, is there a standout track?  In reality, this album should be seen as a body of work and listened to right through, but it would be wrong not to pull out a couple of highlights!  The title track – State Of Mind - opens the album with a very attention grabbing multi-instrumental intro.  After three years we have to wait almost a full minute before hearing Simons wonderful vocal – but in a way that is Simons expert stagecraft transferred to the recording studio.  Even if you were to get no further than this one track, you know you’re listening to Simon James and his absence has only improved his sound, with an extra level of maturity to it.  It is truly music for music’s sake – as any art should be. 

But do listen to the rest of the album, if only to reach Breakers Song!  It is possible that this one song encapsulates the album and indeed Simon’s music.  Guitar to open, strings and piano joining before Simon’s voice starts to tell the story.  Mixing a soft delivery with a soaring chorus, Simon is joined by Heidi Talbot in that chorus before Heidi takes over for a full verse.  Their two voices combine and complement each other perfectly, with Heidi adding that almost mystical Celtic quality.  A Harmonica brings a new edge as a bridge before a gentle crescendo – if there can be such a thing!

 

Though we’ve missed hearing Simon’s music over these past few years, we are thrilled to see him performing live and writing new music.  Whatever comes next, this album is a testament to his songwriting and his craft. 

 

Welcome back Simon.

A State Of Mind, the new album from Simon James, is available to download and stream from Friday 13 October.

You can find Simon on Facebook and Instagram, and you can follow him on Spotify

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Album Review - The Carnival - Eleri

 

Ok, first things first.  It rhymes with Fairy.  Hailing from Wales, Eleri will no doubt have had to explain that a few times, and she includes it in press releases – which was incredibly helpful when we introduced her on stage at Buckle and Boots this year – just one of many festival appearances she has made recently.  We got the chance to simply sit and listen (and share a drink) when she appeared on the line up of the super “festival in a day” Country In The Afternoon in Putney’s Half Moon.  It was at that meeting that Eleri told us she had an album coming out, and we have been excited to hear it, so we were thrilled when it arrived in our inbox.

To be honest, we are always excited by an album release, as we don’t seem to see so many of them now.  An album allows an artist to really explore their own part of the genre, and tell a few stories, set a theme and let us properly appreciate their talents.

Of her new album The Carnival, Eleri says

I always want to push myself to be better and on this album I’ve amped up the energy on my country sound infused with rock and pop and made a few fun country party tunes that wouldn’t be out of place at a Rodeo

 

So, lets go to The Carnival…

The album opens with Magic – but it’s a live version! Hearing Eleri address the crowd and announce the song almost had me cheering the stage! Bouncy, uptempo – and excellent percussion keeps the track moving and the listener clapping along.  This is very much our welcome to The Carnival, an invitation to enter the tent and behold the wonders within!  Heels to Hell keeps the up tempo feel, with a great rhythm and Eleri’s vocal being slightly darker than in the rest of her songs.  The whole album is a wonderful mix of stories and styles, with almost every track introduced with its own instrumental style, the link in every case being Eleri’s vocal.  Heads I’m Yours (Tails Your Mine) slows the mood, while Good For A Girl has an almost ethereal opening and uses background effects that show Eleri is willing to experiment and push boundaries with her sound.  Blue Skies a Comin’ is a very slow track, allowing us to really hear the purity of Eleri’s voice, as a song it tells us of looking to a better future.

Live Wire lifts the tempo again, and incorporates an interesting blend of voice/acoustic guitar and electric guitar/beat.  Theres a great guitar line to Karaoke which summons the memories of having fun in bars on a summers night. Snake Like You is a darker, Americana infused story, and as with When We Collide covers the almost obligatory relationship stories!

Burn the Candle Down is a softer, more gentle track – a couple trying to recover from a fight at night, with the vocals, instrumental and pacing all creating the feel of a late night chat.  It’s a duet and it is actually quite beautiful!  Leon Stanford’s voice blends so well with Eleri’s giving the song a slightly folk feel.

Calling It certainly picks up again after the previous track, its rocky and pacy, it’s very much a statement - I’m done, its over Bang Bang opens with drums rather than guitar, and is probably the most “country” part of the album, but firmly modern country.

The final track is Every Road.  It’s a reflective song, the tempo moving from the slow opening moving up to a guitar driven chorus.  The mix of tempos throughout make for a great final track on an album that is a variety show from start to finish that will keep you in your seat to see what happens next.

Most albums are named after one of the tracks but titling this album “The Carnival” is spot on. A blend of new songs and some favourites, Eleri has been on a physical and metaphorical journey, now she gets to set up her tent and present her show.

The Carnival, the new album from Eleri is available to download and stream from Friday 13 October with an album launch on Saturday 14 October 

You can find Eleri on Facebook and Instagram and follow her on Spotify

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Gig Review - Sarah Riches - The Hub at St Mary's, Lichfield

 

When music is your religion, you are expected in Church on a Sunday. Well, there was no excuse this past Sunday when Sarah Riches took to the stage  in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Lichfield.  Now an arts and performance venue, the Hub at St Marys is a cosy setting. You can sit at one of the individual tables for 4 and chill at the end of the week but built as a church it really lends itself to a relaxing environment and of course it has great acoustics.

The show was essentially a second chance to attend the album launch which was originally held in Birmingham’s Jamhouse.  As last time, Jason Callear opened for Sarah.  Blessed with a deep voice, he is certainly a breathy singer – his vocals meant he was the right person for this setting.  His final song “Cowboys” was a chance to really show off his performance, with the song itself having an Irish folk feel.

As Sarah toured the room pre-show she revealed that to us that he main performance was almost delayed– the band were in the pub!  We heard during the show from Toby that there was almost another delay - Sarah and Toby got stuck in the lift with some of the equipment.  We did wonder if the acoustics of the lift would have been as good as the church if they’d had to drop in a microphone!

Fortunately there were no delays or hold ups, and the show Opened with a cover of Tammy Wynette’s Good Girl Gonna Go Bad – old school country suits Sarah’s look with her hat and tasselled dress.  It was a great opening song to remind people they are in for a night of country music

 

Sarah was backed by a 6 piece band – Dave on keys, Toby on pedal steel (and mandolin and acoustic guitar – a man of many talents), Dan on lead guitar, Sam on drums and Helen on backing vocals.  George on bass was a last minute addition to the band, having joined with only with 3 days notice!  All six are clearly highly skilled, and worked together well.

 

The show was essentially a play through of Sarah’s recently released album, with some covers thrown in too.  Musically it was a wonderful ride, with uptempo numbers interspersed with slower bluesy/gospel songs.  The instrumentation was superb with keys and pedal steel combining and the guitar often finishing off a track.  Helen on backing vocals absolutely nailed the harmonies time after time – and gave support to Sarah at front of stage.

The album – I Don’t Give Up Easily - was released in April of this year having been recorded in Nashville.  With the release at the Jamhouse Sarah wanted to recreate that Nashville feeling, and you do get the sense that Sarah’s voice and songwriting really lends itself to an intimate club style performance.  The songs are a well put together mix of emotional ballads and catchy, faster songs.  The writing clearly draws on life experiences with track 8 – If My Best Isn’t Good Enough – inspired by working at a job where you’re just not appreciated!  All 10 tracks are very listenable, and the album should be listened to right through – or live if you get the chance!

Once we had heard the whole album, Sarah announced it was party time which is where the covers really came in – Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood and Dolly Parton and even a rendition of Rose Garden.  None of the covers were the obvious well-worn choices, with some picked almost as a challenge – which was easily accomplished!

The audience demanded an encore – which took the band slightly by surprise.  Had they not expected this level of appreciation?  Are they better than they realise?  They are certainly, as a whole, a great outfit with Sarah’s songwriting and singing leading from the front. The encore was a repeat of Sarah’s favourite song from the album, “Alibi”, which works well as an album closer, a show encore and a sing a long favourite.

The Hub at St Mary’s was a wonderful setting for a wonderful musical evening – we’ll be back for more shows and we hope to see and hear more of Sarah Riches!

with Sarah and Unsigned Country

You can find and follow Sarah on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify

Silverball Country attended as guests of  Sarah Riches

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