Back to Tuts for another one, and man am I glad I did. A fantastic show that blended four talented acts together and it just seemed to get better and better as the night went on. Adriana was first on the bill and took to the stage with her acoustic folk rock. The songstress is normally accompanied by a full band, but they had the night off and she was joined by only her lead guitarist for her first three or four songs. The wonderful picks and slides accented Adriana's potent and robust voice perfectly. "One Foot in the River" caught my ear where Adriana's voice rang strikingly reminiscent to the soul driven sound of Quartette (and if you don't know who they are, you should probably find out). This Scottish lyricist writes and sings from her heart with messages of feeling, loving, and her search for belonging. My feeling is that she belongs on stage where she obviously loves to be.
Quicker than lager can turn to piss, the God Fearing Atheists took to the stage. Their energy and stage presence was great and I couldn't believe that it was a Scottish accent that I heard during the between song banter with the crowd. I had been fooled by the genuine honky-tonk tone and style of this band. Definitely great, genuine country-rock and roll. "Low Country" was an ace, starting off nice and slow then accelerating with its true rock roots exposed. When these guys were on stage I felt like I was in a bar in one of the southern states of America where The Marshall Tucker Band were discovered and definitely not in the middle of Glasgow at the venue where Oasis got their break.
Liam Gerner wasted no time in his set. The Aussie started strumming and commanded the attention of the audience. The singer songwriter tells a story with each song. Narrative song subjects ranged from that of a 19 year-old soldier in Papa New Guinea during World War II to the sinking a ship that caused the tragic death of over 350 Indonesians seeking asylum in Australia ("Small Wooden Boat"). The lyrics melt together and Liam's true thoughts and commentary shine through in his pleasant voice. Aside from his wonderful original songs, Gerner threw in his rendition of Lyle Lovett's "If I had a Boat". He capped off his relaxed, comfortable set with "Clear Mind" that was as poetic as it was melodious. Fans of Ray Lamontagne, Alexi Murdoch or Connor Oberst will soon become fans of this acoustic Aussie.
With the support acts having pleased the soul, I waited with anticipation for just what Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses were going to bring to the table. With his stetson tipped down to his brow Ryan and the boys pumped the place full of country rock and roll that seemed like it was extracted straight from the veins of the Texan with a syringe. The optimistic "Hard Times" with its sliding guitar and rousing banjo, had feet stomping the floor boards and everyone could relate to lyrics like "…you can get up when it puts you down, because everybody's got 'em if you look around. Hard times…". After sorting "a lil' problem with dis git fiddle", the rustic cowboy continued his shout out to the working man with "Dollar a Day", and his Marlboro seasoned voice came through in "The Ghost of Travelling Jones". The harmonica was dusted off for "The Southside of Heaven" which tells the story of a beaten, bruised, and well worn cowboy with all of the classic western references from the trains to the thirst for rain and his thirst for change. There is definitely no sympathy in this band, and you just know that when the band consists of a Corby, a Pawpaw, and a Jeb you are in the company of legit country boys. And these country boys can rock! The boys then saddled up for "Bread and Water" and put on a spectacular display of just how to do it, as the song lassoed the crowd and they stomped and clapped away. "Sunshine" brought a fantastic end to the night as Bingham moved to his electric and slide, and wailed away.
Ryan Bingham and the band are true to their roots, and it is obvious where they come from. Hard driven music from the core with the genuine feel that comes from the experiences of pain, hard work and hardship. This fantastic show will definitely be remembered as the best of 2008 thus far. It's no wonder that Ryan Bingham has jumped from his self supported independent scene to being signed to the legendary Lost Highway label, where the 24 year old finds himself in the company of legends like Van Morrison, and one William Hugh Nelson.