It's not often that you will find the Bluesbunny in a church. Something to do with the other team having all the best tunes perhaps. Or maybe because Sunday mornings are usually reserved for waking up in the gutter. However, our fondness for a bit of Americana persuaded us through the door of the former church of St Andrews in the Square in Glasgow to indulge in the musical delights provided by Rachel Harrington and the Wailin' Jennys.
So here we are in probably the classiest live venue in Glasgow. It's a full house tonight as well and - a wise move given the audience demographic - it is an all seated affair as well. No draught beer either so the organisers were not expecting any riff raff (or four Bluesbunnies and a record producer, I would hazard). Just in front of the pulpit stands Rachel Harrington. One woman and her guitar with songs that echo times gone by. She has that self effacing charm that makes her seem nervous but she doesn't put a foot wrong. With a set that started with "Sunshine Girl" and ended on a Bobbie Gentry cover, it is safe to say that she would offend no one and probably won a good few over to her cause.
A church is a place of worship and the audience had come to worship the Wailin' Jennys. With rapturous applause at the end of every song, they were clearly preaching to the converted. Could the Wailin' Jennys convert the battle hardened Bluesbunnies, however? Well, they had a pretty good attempt at it. You can't argue with the purity and beauty of their harmonies. Then there was that audible sigh from the assembled Bluesbunnies whenever Heather Masse took over lead vocals. Neither did their combined musical skills disappoint although we have to say that that understated violin accompaniment provided by Jeremy Penner was the star turn adding a good dash of style and passion to the proceedings. As with Rachel Harrington, this was a polished performance that clearly met the expectations of the assembled masses. They even saved a bit of magic until the end when those three sirens - who can probably all cook and darn socks - abandoned the rather inadequate sound system and sang acappella right at the front of the stage. If there were any unbelievers left in the crowd, they would be converted now.
Somebody once said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Bluesbunny is sure that someone will soon say that the road to heaven is paved with CDs by the Wailin' Jennys. Salvation may turn out to be pleasing to the ear but, for now, there's still time for this Bluesbunny to have another beer. Or several more as the night is yet young.