As part of its annual festival, Celtic Connections puts on a night of good old fashioned singer-songwritership. Held at the lovely Tron Theatre in Glasgow, this year it brought us Noah Gundersen, Angaleena Presley and Anderson East who all took turns to sing and tell a story. Each artist had the perfect spotlight to shine in front of a mixture of their own fans as well as new ears...and shine they all did. I guess the best way to review the evening's entertainment is to look at each act separately, which I shall now do.
Noah Gundersen
I'll be honest: I hadn't heard of Noah Gundersen before he was announced. I honestly would not have gone to see him if he had been on his own (not merely because I hadn't heard of him, more because I have to travel and travel and concert tickets, as my bank balance weeps daily, are expensive). Would I go see him after seeing him at Celtic Connections? Most possibly.
Gundersen isn't really country. He leans more towards folk than country with strong indie influences thrown in too. Not usually my preferred style of music but I am not going to discredit the guy on my personal preferences. He is a really good singer and a great guitarist too. A quick little search on Google says that he also plays the piano which, of course, wasn't on hand this evening. He's definitely a talented guy and, although he is not really that country, I'd still recommend you give him a listen.
Look for a song called 'Cigarettes'. It's wonderful and it was my favorite song he sang. There are a lot of songs out there that compare lovers/ex-lovers to addictions and a lot of them can feel very forced. Gundersen's does not. It's not trying that hard to force this aforementioned addiction comparison down our throats and that is why it works so well - it's effortless. Go. Go listen to it now and thank me later.
Angaleena Presley
It's nice to say that Holler Annie is becoming a frequent visitor to these shores. On her second tour in the space of just six months, Angaleena Presley is becoming a firm favorite with UK audiences.
The plus side to Angaleena taking part in the evening's festivities as part of Celtic Connections? It brought her back to Glasgow and back to fans who loved her stellar show at Broadcast last July. The downside? As it was part of this Celtic Connections event, it meant that she only performed six songs, instead of the full set she's playing as part of her current UK tour elsewhere. Yet, it left everyone wanting more - new fans included who didn't come to see her in particular this evening. Surely planting the seeds for another return...smart lady. And a witty one too. And so darn talented.
Like last July, she seemed to stumble a little as she got going, tripping over a lyric or two - she handled it like a pro, however - before hitting her stride. Angaleena Presley is not an artist that country radio deems that 'radio friendly'. For example, she sings about meth whores. And that is a shame because she sings and writes about meth whores not to shock but to tell a story. In fact, a new song called 'Outlaw' is actually about this notion that she is trying to be controversial when she's really not, she's just telling a story. (Angaleena actually used the example of growing body hair to explain the song but I am not Angaleena and I don't think I can use the body hair analogy as effortlessly as her, so I'll just stick to the meth whore one).
I am rambling so I'll sum her performance up in a sentence and a question. Listen to her album American Middle Class, marvel over how good her voice sounds on every track and then picture it sounding even better live because it somehow is. And if you don't have American Middle Class by now, what is wrong with you?
Anderson East
His style is a blend of country, soul and rhythm and blues and he is, right now, perhaps best known for dating Miranda Lambert. This won't last...and no, I am not talking about their relationship (this is not TMZ or People or whatever). Anderson East proved in a set of a mere six songs, that he is set for his own big break and will become star with his music. Playing tracks from his first major label release, Delilah, East show exactly why he has been selling out shows back in the States. His soulful voice growled at times during 'Devil In Me' whilst it was more playful on 'Only You'. He is also incredibly charming and I think it's fair to conclude that at least a few people fell in love with him at some point during the evening.
The highlight of his set was, painfully, a song that he said that he hasn't recorded yet, titled 'Cabinet Door'. It's quite hard to describe this particular song than anything that just beautiful because it was, it really was. The emotion of it seemed to catch the audience off guard, knocked the words out of an already respectfully quiet audience and left them stunned. East possesses a great voice, vocally, but it is perhaps his ability to tell a story with words that is his best weapon in his arsenal. He's definitely one to watch.
All in all, it was a great night. Whilst it is unlikely that these three artists will share a stage again anytime soon seems unlikely, it is a very good bet that they'll be coming back soon for their own shows which I thoroughly recommend you join me in going to when they do.
All in all, it was a great night. Whilst it is unlikely that these three artists will share a stage again anytime soon seems unlikely, it is a very good bet that they'll be coming back soon for their own shows which I thoroughly recommend you join me in going to when they do.
