Country Roads…
Raintown and Katee Kross (with Daniel Crow) - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
17th August 2019
Raintown and Katee Kross (with Daniel Crow) - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
17th August 2019
Country roads leading to East Kilbride would seem to be a navigational misnomer, especially as all roads in South Lanarkshire’s largest town seem to lead to bloody roundabouts.
But East Kilbride isn’t a stranger to hosting great live music whether that be country, pop, rock, blues or, as in this case, a co-headliner bill with "Introducing" support that led to an evening that was more than a little bit country but also a little bit rock 'n' roll.
Before Katee Kross and her band the Amberjax hit the stage to perform a well-honed, Nashville styled set that cherry picked across Miss Kross’s three studio albums plus a couple of new numbers, young Daniel Crow delivered a short and confident (the latter all the more impressive given it was his first big stage performance) four song acoustic covers set.
And it takes a confident, mature beyond his young years performer to take on, and carry off, songs by the likes of Bob Dylan ('All Along the Watchtower') and the Beatles/ George Harrison ('While My Guitar Gently Weeps'). Jake Bugg’s 'Simple as This' was a perfect fit given the respective vocal similarities.
While each song was deservedly well received, ending on the Johnny Cash classic 'Folsom Prison Blues' guaranteed a uniformed whoop of delight from a country-based crowd who appreciated there’s genuine talent residing within young Master Crow.
But East Kilbride isn’t a stranger to hosting great live music whether that be country, pop, rock, blues or, as in this case, a co-headliner bill with "Introducing" support that led to an evening that was more than a little bit country but also a little bit rock 'n' roll.
Before Katee Kross and her band the Amberjax hit the stage to perform a well-honed, Nashville styled set that cherry picked across Miss Kross’s three studio albums plus a couple of new numbers, young Daniel Crow delivered a short and confident (the latter all the more impressive given it was his first big stage performance) four song acoustic covers set.
And it takes a confident, mature beyond his young years performer to take on, and carry off, songs by the likes of Bob Dylan ('All Along the Watchtower') and the Beatles/ George Harrison ('While My Guitar Gently Weeps'). Jake Bugg’s 'Simple as This' was a perfect fit given the respective vocal similarities.
While each song was deservedly well received, ending on the Johnny Cash classic 'Folsom Prison Blues' guaranteed a uniformed whoop of delight from a country-based crowd who appreciated there’s genuine talent residing within young Master Crow.
Country pop songstress Katee Kross
Still only in her early twenties, Scottish country-pop songstress Katee Kross has already made a mark in the Scottish country and music scene, having supported the likes of Dougie MacLean, Barbara Dickson and Karine Polwart to name but three.
And you’re doing something right if you’re invited on to the Wembley Arena stage by Seasick Steve to sing 'Purple Shadows' (previously covered by Katee Kross) then support the roots-blues musician at the Kelvingrove Bandstand.
Opening with the vibrant Nashville-pop of 'Count to Ten' from last studio album Body & Soul, Katee Kross and her three piece band of guitar, double bass and drums were, on the night (and for their 2019 summer dates), joined by Rachel (first name only introductions folks, Katee likes to keep it informal, friendly and chatty) on fiddle and backing vocals.
A cover of 'Tumblin’ Dice' (if the ‘Stones had been from Nashville) then followed; perfect country rockin’ contrast to the other cover performed, country ballad 'When You Say Nothing At All.'
But then the entire set was of dovetailing contrast, from the fuller sounding 'Hammer' and country rock 'n' roll of 'Hold On' to the ballad 'Bluebird' (complete with beautiful fiddle refrain) to the Nashville pop rocking 'What Will Be' from current release, Dancing With My Past EP.
And you’re doing something right if you’re invited on to the Wembley Arena stage by Seasick Steve to sing 'Purple Shadows' (previously covered by Katee Kross) then support the roots-blues musician at the Kelvingrove Bandstand.
Opening with the vibrant Nashville-pop of 'Count to Ten' from last studio album Body & Soul, Katee Kross and her three piece band of guitar, double bass and drums were, on the night (and for their 2019 summer dates), joined by Rachel (first name only introductions folks, Katee likes to keep it informal, friendly and chatty) on fiddle and backing vocals.
A cover of 'Tumblin’ Dice' (if the ‘Stones had been from Nashville) then followed; perfect country rockin’ contrast to the other cover performed, country ballad 'When You Say Nothing At All.'
But then the entire set was of dovetailing contrast, from the fuller sounding 'Hammer' and country rock 'n' roll of 'Hold On' to the ballad 'Bluebird' (complete with beautiful fiddle refrain) to the Nashville pop rocking 'What Will Be' from current release, Dancing With My Past EP.
Raintown never fail to impress live or on album.
The former was reinforced on a night where the sextet were on top form; similarly, their studio work shows no sign of diminishing given the quality of the new songs performed, all of which should feature on their next album, the long awaited follow-up to acclaimed 2015 sophomore release Writing on the Wall.
From the video screen imagery introduction (that was more western than country) and repeating bass line that kick-started county rock opener 'Run With the Night,' through to closing brace 'Writing on the Wall' (with big A cappella intro) and melodically rocking hoedown number 'Shut the Front Door' (the band’s slap-down to the Social Media Trolls) Raintown, fronted by husband and wife vocal team Paul Bain and Claire McArthur Bain, put nary a note, vocal or crossover-country tapping foot wrong.
Nor are they short of confidence (and shouldn’t be, given their multi-award winning status across the various UK Country award bodies) – it was a brave, but as it turned out highly successful move to present, early in the set, a cover of 'Shallow' as performed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the monstrously successful remake of A Star is Born.
'Shallow' also helped showcase just how good a singer Claire McArthur Bain is.
A vocalist who makes it about the song and not her vocal ability, she is now truly delivering with some serious belt and control as heard on 'Shallow,' her extended "belong…" note hold on the band’s modern Nashville moment 'Nineteen Again' and new number, 'My Whole World.'
A song of melancholy and heart-breaking loss (inspired by the passing of a family friend at a tragically young age) 'My Whole World,' co-written with on the rise Scottish singer-songwriter Elaine Lennon, was, vocally, perfectly pitched (in both senses) atop a simple acoustic accompaniment from Stevie Lawrence.
It was the pin drop moment of the evening and a song that garnered long and loud applause, not least from Elaine Lennon, on hand to hear her co-write of lyrical loss given life by the voice of Claire McArthur Bain.
'My Whole World' wasn’t the only new song to feature.
'Day in the Sun' (a southern styled, hard country blues highlight featuring Paul Bain) and modern country-pop number (and current single) 'Play it Loud' were also showcased, as was "work in progress" number 'My Drum, My Beat,' performed by the Bain’s in vocal (Claire) and acoustic guitar (Paul) duet.
Add in the band’s sing-a-long medley 'Love’s Got a Hold On You / Jackson' and a southern fried 'n' feisty 'Light the Fuse Up' from debut album Hope in Troubled Times and you have a country rockin', Nashville poppin', acoustic coverin' three band showcase that encored with the return of Katee Kross and guitarist Ross Barron to perform Kross’s 'Game of Life' before Daniel Crow joined the entire ensemble to give it large with the audience for John Denver’s 'Take Me Home, Country Roads.'
Take Me Home indeed, from an outstanding evening of independent artist music – and back through those bloody roundabouts.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Click here for FabricationsHQ's 2018 interview feature with Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain
Photo Credit: Brian Doig (all images)
The former was reinforced on a night where the sextet were on top form; similarly, their studio work shows no sign of diminishing given the quality of the new songs performed, all of which should feature on their next album, the long awaited follow-up to acclaimed 2015 sophomore release Writing on the Wall.
From the video screen imagery introduction (that was more western than country) and repeating bass line that kick-started county rock opener 'Run With the Night,' through to closing brace 'Writing on the Wall' (with big A cappella intro) and melodically rocking hoedown number 'Shut the Front Door' (the band’s slap-down to the Social Media Trolls) Raintown, fronted by husband and wife vocal team Paul Bain and Claire McArthur Bain, put nary a note, vocal or crossover-country tapping foot wrong.
Nor are they short of confidence (and shouldn’t be, given their multi-award winning status across the various UK Country award bodies) – it was a brave, but as it turned out highly successful move to present, early in the set, a cover of 'Shallow' as performed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the monstrously successful remake of A Star is Born.
'Shallow' also helped showcase just how good a singer Claire McArthur Bain is.
A vocalist who makes it about the song and not her vocal ability, she is now truly delivering with some serious belt and control as heard on 'Shallow,' her extended "belong…" note hold on the band’s modern Nashville moment 'Nineteen Again' and new number, 'My Whole World.'
A song of melancholy and heart-breaking loss (inspired by the passing of a family friend at a tragically young age) 'My Whole World,' co-written with on the rise Scottish singer-songwriter Elaine Lennon, was, vocally, perfectly pitched (in both senses) atop a simple acoustic accompaniment from Stevie Lawrence.
It was the pin drop moment of the evening and a song that garnered long and loud applause, not least from Elaine Lennon, on hand to hear her co-write of lyrical loss given life by the voice of Claire McArthur Bain.
'My Whole World' wasn’t the only new song to feature.
'Day in the Sun' (a southern styled, hard country blues highlight featuring Paul Bain) and modern country-pop number (and current single) 'Play it Loud' were also showcased, as was "work in progress" number 'My Drum, My Beat,' performed by the Bain’s in vocal (Claire) and acoustic guitar (Paul) duet.
Add in the band’s sing-a-long medley 'Love’s Got a Hold On You / Jackson' and a southern fried 'n' feisty 'Light the Fuse Up' from debut album Hope in Troubled Times and you have a country rockin', Nashville poppin', acoustic coverin' three band showcase that encored with the return of Katee Kross and guitarist Ross Barron to perform Kross’s 'Game of Life' before Daniel Crow joined the entire ensemble to give it large with the audience for John Denver’s 'Take Me Home, Country Roads.'
Take Me Home indeed, from an outstanding evening of independent artist music – and back through those bloody roundabouts.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Click here for FabricationsHQ's 2018 interview feature with Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain
Photo Credit: Brian Doig (all images)