Although it's usually better known for its' Flower Show, fairgrounds and fish suppers, sleepy Southport is the chosen venue for a little Roots-Rock history tonight. Its' modest but discerning Leo's Bar is hosting the first UK appearance of fine new Transatlantic Country-Rock alliance THE NASHVILLE LIVERPOOL UNDERGROUND MEDICINE SHOW.
Featuring three highly-talented singer/ songwriters in former La's and Onset founder member Mike Badger, plus Emily Grace and Matthew Gardner, The Nashville Liverpool got together when the three performers ended up appearing on the same bill at Austin's prestigious South X South West Festival in March and enjoyed the creative possibilities of playing together. Fast forward almost four months and Emily and Matt have just flown in to make their UK debut with Mike.
Such an apparent baptism of fire would probably be enough to faze lesser performers, but there's a whole lotta experience and pedigree resting on Emily and Matt's youthful shoulders. Emily, after all, came up the hard way, performing at Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse (Willie Nelson's manager's place) along with illustrious names such as Leon Russell and Billy Joe Shaver, while Matt is no stranger to bigger stages either, having previously shared them with Jim Skinner and Vince Wilnek. They have been working together for almost a decade, but coming into contact with Mike Badger has meant a whole new world of possibility opening up for them all.
Between them, they can boast a wealth of top drawer tunes with all three alternating on lead vocals and offering crucial melodic support for each other. It's a democratic approach which works beautifully, with a slew of highlights in Southport including the lilting 'Dexter', where love, loss and leaving (“this town ain't got no use for a fool like me who's down to his last fist full of pride”) are writ large and the low-ridin' rockabilly of Mike's 'Tupelo Hardware Store' providing a witty and wise alternative history lesson for both head and hips. It's an excellent set and a great warm-up for the two shows in one day we're about to be treated to in Liverpool.
As this is the first in a new series of 'Country Roots' gigs at Leo's aiming to emphasise Merseyside's links with Americana's history, we're also treated to a polished and spirited set by ex-Reverb Brothers mainstay JIMMY RAE with a stripped-down version of his new band, THE FIREWALKERS. His website pointedly describes his music as “Country without the crap” and there's certainly a no-nonsense efficiency to his performance tonight.
With sterling support from Catherine Howard (vocals, tambourine and gorgeous cowboy boots), keyboard player Adrian Hall and drummer Iain Howard, Rae steams through a welcome mix of Johnny Cash covers, a storming 'n' swampy version of The Reverb Brothers' 'Ain't So Sorry' and a clutch of tracks – such as atmospheric ballad 'One Good Reason' - from his new album 'Deliverance', all of which suggest imminent investment in it is a must. Not a bad night out for a town which seldom bothers the Rock'n'Roll scorers as a rule.
Fast forward fifteen hours or so and W&H are sitting comfortably on leather sofas inside Liverpool's new arts centre-style venue Static, situated off the top end of Bold Street. Courtesy of the lovely Candie Payne, we're being treated to an afternoon of potent Americana, with a low-key acoustic warm-up from DANNY ROBERTS and a superb set from THE LOOSE MOOSE STRING BAND presaging The Nashville Liverpool's first Liverpool showcase.
Featuring members of the highly-talented Tramp Attack, The Loose Moose are especially magnificent. They tote a brilliantly fluid and authentic Bluegrass sound akin to Bill Monroe or The Dillards, liberally sprinkle in some welcome Scouse grit and before the end of their mesmerising half-hour set, they've re-invented everything from 'That Old Time Religion' to Soul staple 'Criticize' in their own image. Blistering stuff and highly recommended indeed.
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The Nashville Liverpool are augmented by Loose Moose/Tramp Attack personnel on upright bass, banjo and minimal drum kit for their Static show and the additional textures give full rein to their dirty, potent and psychedelic-tinged Cosmic Country sound. Emily sports a fetching yellow and orange ensemble and shares the communal open microphone with Matt and Mike and it's soon apparent that the songs are clicking big time.
A loaded 'Platform 9' is Mike's oblivion-bound Johnny Cash-style train song and it sounds terrific, as does Matt and Emily's catchy duet on 'Country Boy', which has a refrain that's impossible to dislodge from your head for hours after. They pull it all together for a freshly-minted collaboration called 'Mountain Man Kidnapped By Bigfoot' which is so new Mike and Emily still need a lyric sheet. There's no doubting the potential of the song's mad, Appalachian-style dash, however, and they depart hastily for a Radio Merseyside live session with a wholehearted seal of approval from the Static crowd still ringing in their ears.
The evening show takes place at The Zanzibar, or The Company Store, as it's called when it puts on its' regular Americana nights. Once more augmented by their Loose Moose/ Tramp Attack backline, The Nashville Liverpool again raise the bar and their show here is a sublime affair, with all three performers pulling out all the stops.
Emily has already shown she can do everything from Patsy Cline sass to Lucinda Williams grit without sounding like anyone but herself and she's on fine form again, starring on Mike's classic, 'Close Up The Honky Tonks'-style drinking number 'Ashtrays & Tables & Barstools', while this evening's version of 'Mountain Man' is a real beaut, with Mike sagely observing “there should be more songs about being abducted by female Yetis” as it winds down to enthusiastic applause. They save one of their very best for last with Matt and Emily going head to head on 'Before I'm Gone': a glorious resigned ache of a song which provides the perfect sorrowful farewell.
It's been a truly memorable twenty-four hours and W&H leave Liverpool safe in the knowledge that the roots scene in the North-West remains as healthy as ever. In itself, that should be reason enough to celebrate, but after three fantastic shows from The Nashville Liverpool Underground Medicine Show, we're in no doubt that we've just witnessed the birth of something very special indeed. Watch this space.
(www.myspace.com/nashvilleliverpool)
(www.myspace.com/mikebadger)
(www.myspace.com/wattsgardner)
(www.myspace.com/emilygraceethridge)
(www.myspace.com/jimmy_rae)
(www.myapace.com/theloosemooseband)
(www.mikebadger.co.uk)
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