Maverick 8 was another brilliant weekend of music at Easton Farm Park, Suffolk. Normally we're ducking and diving from stage to stage but the whole of this Friday evening was spent in the barn containing the Peacock stage, taken over by many of the artists on the Clubhouse Records label. They may be a relatively small UK label at the moment but there can be few of the 'big boys' that have a more impressive roster!
First on was Paul McClure's songwriting circle on which he was joined by country stars in the making, Australian, Emma Swift and Brit, Simon Stanley Ward. All three are talented singer songwriters, Paul already having had a rave review of a c.d on this site and Simon soon to have one. Until now I was unfamiliar with Emma but that has now changed and she is definitely one to watch out for! They were followed by the incredibly impressive Rosellys, whose debut album is due for release in September and having just received a review copy of that album, titled The Granary Sessions,' I can't wait to get started on it. They are an excellent five piece band from Bristol who play a powerful brand of country music with Rebecca Rosellys gorgeous vocals as their dominant feature. Following them was singer songwriter supreme, Don Gallardo & Friends, those friends including members of the Rosellys as well as Don's Nashville friend and mainstay of 'How Far West' Travis Stock. Don's back catalogue is second to none and his new album Hickory maintains that quality as do his warm expressive vocals that are as good live as on record. Up next were the brilliant trio, The Dreaming Spires, whose recordings often have a deep Beach Boys go Americana feel and whilst their live sound is less dense it is certainly not inferior thanks to their tremendous lead and harmony vocals. The headliners were the incredible Case Hardin, often justifiably labeled alt. country, but it should be added that they rock more than most and are led by one of the best lead vocalists around in Pete Gow. To this should be added the fact that there are no finer songwriters in this loose generic field than Pete, a man whose powerful lyrical style frequently takes on a cinematic quality. That was the end of my Friday night in the hot sticky barn, only to find on exiting that the 'fresh air' was equally hot and sticky!
Saturday was an absolute scorcher, both in terms of the weather and the music. Everyone who ventured to the stage on the green, also known as the 'Sweet Home Alabama Stage' wore a hat and i'm guessing gallons of factor 50 were splashed around. It was even too hot to sup much ale, water being a much better option, at least until the sun went down. First to play were 'The Ugly Guys,' a band whom I heard someone describe as 'veterans!' Nothing wrong with being veterans though when musicians are as practiced and as natural as these at playing 'classic country rock.' Then into the barn for a little respite, although it was more a case of out of the blistering sun into the steamy shade, to catch the tail end of the set by a talented young duo called 'Jonas and Jane' before being treated to a performance by Stompin' Dave Allen for which superlatives were invented. He is a multi instrumentalist master of guitar, banjo, piano and probably much more, as well as a dancer in an old-time flat footing style that includes tap, whilst playing guitar or banjo and singing old blues, folk and hillbilly songs that are interspersed with some of his own excellent originals! Everything he does oozes quality and his enthusiasm totally beguiles everyone who witnesses this astounding performer. A true one off, although it is worth mentioning that his 'boogie woogie' old time piano performance was on a totally different level to any other performer I've seen. Following that breathtaking performance it was back into the sun to see the tremendous Bob Collum and the Welfare Mothers performing some of Bob's high quality songs that are probably best, or reasonably accurately described, as modern day country rock. He and his band are artists for whom consistent excellence is not an exaggeration, with their tremendous playing, Bob's warm expressive vocal style, his melodic guitar playing and his highly literate songs. The icing on the cake is provided by the charismatic back up and sometimes lead vocals of Marianne Hyatt, another truly gifted performer (who looked sensational in her £1 charity shop dress!). Bob and Marianne are both Americans who live in Britain now but the remainder of the band are all talented Brits. Their tremendous performance was followed by one of the big festival successes from the talented Luke Tuchscherer and the Penny Dreadfuls, highlighting tracks from Luke's recent debut solo album 'You Get So Alone At Times That It Just Makes Sense,' another recording that received a rave review on this website. Luke is also a member of The Whybirds and someone whose vocal prowess within roots music is second to none. As if that was not enough he is also a gifted songwriter and as evidenced by this bands incredible reading of The Band's classic song 'The weight,' also a great interpreter of other peoples songs, in fact apart from the originals, no one has ever given a finer interpretation of one of their songs. Luke is a talent who has everything he needs to not only succeed on these shores but also in the U.S. and he has just set up a pledge music fund to help him record his second solo album. I'm sure that anyone hearing his debut will happily contribute to what promises to be another great recording. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lukealbum2
Immediately following Luke's triumph I managed to get into the barn and caught part of Robert Chaney's tremendous set. His often dark lyrical style is matched by his raw but appealing vocals that ensured there was silence from all who were in and around the barn. His new album 'Cracked picture frames' is a must for anyone who likes high quality intensely dramatic songs. Then it was a curry and some ale before returning to the barn for another hugely talented singer songwriter, Andrew Duhon, another whose recent album is a must for any lovers of high quality literate songs and by a man who possesses a warm expressive voice that has a nice edge of rawness. Following Andrews set the heat and excitement was taking it's toll and we drifted around the various stages without ever seeing Billy Bragg, eventually fetching up in the barn again where Marty O'Reilly and his Old Soul Orchestra were performing an intense, stylistically unique, bluesy soul set that often seemed to draw in psychedelic influences. The final act that I saw was the wonderful Chastity Brown whose last album was one of my albums of the year in 2013. She is a charismatic hugely talented performer who plays a pretty much unique brand of soulful blues and again was one of the highlights of a great festival.
Arrived at the festival site on Sunday morning in pouring rain and went straight to the Moonshine Stage to see Stompin' Dave Allen and Isobel Bloomfield holding a workshop in flatfoot dancing. The many people who joined in seemed to catch on to the steps and had a great time for the hour or so that the workshop continued. Naturally I would have joined in but I had a crippling broken finger nail and everyone knows, you can't be too careful with an injury of that severity. The final action of a great festival was provided by the wonderful Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk review. Gal is from New Orleans and has her own unique country music style that dominates the stage and ensures the listener knows that she can inhabit any song or style she chooses.
Roll on 2016!
First on was Paul McClure's songwriting circle on which he was joined by country stars in the making, Australian, Emma Swift and Brit, Simon Stanley Ward. All three are talented singer songwriters, Paul already having had a rave review of a c.d on this site and Simon soon to have one. Until now I was unfamiliar with Emma but that has now changed and she is definitely one to watch out for! They were followed by the incredibly impressive Rosellys, whose debut album is due for release in September and having just received a review copy of that album, titled The Granary Sessions,' I can't wait to get started on it. They are an excellent five piece band from Bristol who play a powerful brand of country music with Rebecca Rosellys gorgeous vocals as their dominant feature. Following them was singer songwriter supreme, Don Gallardo & Friends, those friends including members of the Rosellys as well as Don's Nashville friend and mainstay of 'How Far West' Travis Stock. Don's back catalogue is second to none and his new album Hickory maintains that quality as do his warm expressive vocals that are as good live as on record. Up next were the brilliant trio, The Dreaming Spires, whose recordings often have a deep Beach Boys go Americana feel and whilst their live sound is less dense it is certainly not inferior thanks to their tremendous lead and harmony vocals. The headliners were the incredible Case Hardin, often justifiably labeled alt. country, but it should be added that they rock more than most and are led by one of the best lead vocalists around in Pete Gow. To this should be added the fact that there are no finer songwriters in this loose generic field than Pete, a man whose powerful lyrical style frequently takes on a cinematic quality. That was the end of my Friday night in the hot sticky barn, only to find on exiting that the 'fresh air' was equally hot and sticky!
Saturday was an absolute scorcher, both in terms of the weather and the music. Everyone who ventured to the stage on the green, also known as the 'Sweet Home Alabama Stage' wore a hat and i'm guessing gallons of factor 50 were splashed around. It was even too hot to sup much ale, water being a much better option, at least until the sun went down. First to play were 'The Ugly Guys,' a band whom I heard someone describe as 'veterans!' Nothing wrong with being veterans though when musicians are as practiced and as natural as these at playing 'classic country rock.' Then into the barn for a little respite, although it was more a case of out of the blistering sun into the steamy shade, to catch the tail end of the set by a talented young duo called 'Jonas and Jane' before being treated to a performance by Stompin' Dave Allen for which superlatives were invented. He is a multi instrumentalist master of guitar, banjo, piano and probably much more, as well as a dancer in an old-time flat footing style that includes tap, whilst playing guitar or banjo and singing old blues, folk and hillbilly songs that are interspersed with some of his own excellent originals! Everything he does oozes quality and his enthusiasm totally beguiles everyone who witnesses this astounding performer. A true one off, although it is worth mentioning that his 'boogie woogie' old time piano performance was on a totally different level to any other performer I've seen. Following that breathtaking performance it was back into the sun to see the tremendous Bob Collum and the Welfare Mothers performing some of Bob's high quality songs that are probably best, or reasonably accurately described, as modern day country rock. He and his band are artists for whom consistent excellence is not an exaggeration, with their tremendous playing, Bob's warm expressive vocal style, his melodic guitar playing and his highly literate songs. The icing on the cake is provided by the charismatic back up and sometimes lead vocals of Marianne Hyatt, another truly gifted performer (who looked sensational in her £1 charity shop dress!). Bob and Marianne are both Americans who live in Britain now but the remainder of the band are all talented Brits. Their tremendous performance was followed by one of the big festival successes from the talented Luke Tuchscherer and the Penny Dreadfuls, highlighting tracks from Luke's recent debut solo album 'You Get So Alone At Times That It Just Makes Sense,' another recording that received a rave review on this website. Luke is also a member of The Whybirds and someone whose vocal prowess within roots music is second to none. As if that was not enough he is also a gifted songwriter and as evidenced by this bands incredible reading of The Band's classic song 'The weight,' also a great interpreter of other peoples songs, in fact apart from the originals, no one has ever given a finer interpretation of one of their songs. Luke is a talent who has everything he needs to not only succeed on these shores but also in the U.S. and he has just set up a pledge music fund to help him record his second solo album. I'm sure that anyone hearing his debut will happily contribute to what promises to be another great recording. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lukealbum2
Immediately following Luke's triumph I managed to get into the barn and caught part of Robert Chaney's tremendous set. His often dark lyrical style is matched by his raw but appealing vocals that ensured there was silence from all who were in and around the barn. His new album 'Cracked picture frames' is a must for anyone who likes high quality intensely dramatic songs. Then it was a curry and some ale before returning to the barn for another hugely talented singer songwriter, Andrew Duhon, another whose recent album is a must for any lovers of high quality literate songs and by a man who possesses a warm expressive voice that has a nice edge of rawness. Following Andrews set the heat and excitement was taking it's toll and we drifted around the various stages without ever seeing Billy Bragg, eventually fetching up in the barn again where Marty O'Reilly and his Old Soul Orchestra were performing an intense, stylistically unique, bluesy soul set that often seemed to draw in psychedelic influences. The final act that I saw was the wonderful Chastity Brown whose last album was one of my albums of the year in 2013. She is a charismatic hugely talented performer who plays a pretty much unique brand of soulful blues and again was one of the highlights of a great festival.
Arrived at the festival site on Sunday morning in pouring rain and went straight to the Moonshine Stage to see Stompin' Dave Allen and Isobel Bloomfield holding a workshop in flatfoot dancing. The many people who joined in seemed to catch on to the steps and had a great time for the hour or so that the workshop continued. Naturally I would have joined in but I had a crippling broken finger nail and everyone knows, you can't be too careful with an injury of that severity. The final action of a great festival was provided by the wonderful Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk review. Gal is from New Orleans and has her own unique country music style that dominates the stage and ensures the listener knows that she can inhabit any song or style she chooses.
Roll on 2016!