Loveless played two shows to celebrate a new album, Something Else, a reimagined version of her 2014 release Somewhere Else. The new release is nearly entirely Loveless solo on piano and was the focus of a stunning Thursday appearance at Todd Snider’s Purple Building. The next afternoon Loveless and John Calvin Abney brought out the guitars for a fun set that pulled from across the Loveless catalog. Among the highlights during both shows was getting to hear a tremendous new composition.
SUNNY SWEENEY / KELLY WILLIS / JACK INGRAM / RADNEY FOSTER
I ended my official fest with a special songwriter event. Sunny Sweeney, Kelly Willis, and Jack Ingram were the featured artists – each wonderful – but it was the special guests, including Shannon McNally and Brennen Leigh, who stole the show. Most notable was closer Radney Foster.
After Foster played two songs, Sweeney turned to Ingram and asked him to close the show. Ingram responded “no” and went on to explain how much Foster’s song “Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)” means to him, explaining: “I’ve been ending my shows with “Goodnight Moon” for years and it was inspired by Radney. So would you play “Godspeed”. It was a remarkable and emotional close to the show and AmericanaFest.
J. ISAIAH EVANS AND THE BOSS TWEED
Dallas trio J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed have come a long way in the little more than a year that they’ve been together. The guitar-keyboard-drums trio bring the party with a sound that hearkens back to the early R&B-fueled days of rock and roll.
We’ve been fans of Tyler-James Kelly since his days in Providence, Rhode Island rock band The Silks. He’s back with a solo album that takes his songs in a country direction.
Nashville’s Sophie Gault celebrated the recent release of an excellent new album with a serious set of rock and roll. She had a crack band in tow but it was Gault’s songs and guitar playing that stole the show.
I kicked off my Thursday on the rooftop of the Bobby Hotel with a set by Dallas singer-songwriter Reilly. Beautiful setting, captivating songs.
DAVE ALVIN AND JIMMIE DALE GILMORE
Fresh from being recognized with a well-deserved Americana Music Association lifetime achievement award, Dave Alvin teamed up with recent collaborator Jimmie Dale Gilmore for musical – and educational – tour of the roots of Americana.
And pretty wild to hear a more than 50 year-old Gilmore composition that the Texas singer-songwriter explained that he had recently rediscovered and started performing again. He explained that Buddy Holly’s parents provided the funding when he first recorded it, drawing an immediate response from Alvin, “It might just be me, but if Buddy Holly’s parents gave me 400 dollars to record a song, I’d remember the song”.
Brooklyn’s Paisley Fields is the consumate showman. He may have started his set behind the piano playing with an Elton John vibe, but it wasn’t long before he was standing in front of the piano riling up an already electrified crowd.
New to me was Australia’s Ella Hooper. Backed by a crack band organized by Nashville’s Melody Walker, Hooper’s set exuded personality in both song and banter. It’s hard to go wrong with harmony-drenched, acoustic-based pop songs.
A TRIBUTE TO MARY GAUTHIER
AmericanaFest got off to an incredible start with a special tribute to Mary Gauthier, in part to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Gauthier’s classic album Drag Queens in Limousines. To name just a few of the artists who joined in the celebration: Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and Steve Poltz. A highlight among highlights was Lori McKenna, who has known Gauthier since they both got their start playing open mics in Boston, performing Gauthier’s stunning “Mercy Now”.
The show within the show for me was getting to watch Gauthier, who was standing a few feet away from me, take in all the performances. When she took the stage at the close of the show, she said “We let people pick their songs. And they picked the saddest songs I’ve ever written.” The sad songs made for a uplifting performance.
How do you follow up an all-star tribute to Mary Gauthier? With a performance by Gauthier, of course. Accompanied by Jaimee Harris, Gauthier treated the crowd to a full album performance of Drag Queens in Limousines.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.