28 February 2019

American artist Jesse Dayton will headline the inaugural Country in the Afternoon mini-festival, which takes place at The Half Moon in Putney between June 1-2. The event is organised by Cumbrae Promotions Limited – who run the Millport Country Music Festival – and both days will have four acts performing between 12:30pm-5pm. Opening on the Saturday is Maverick’s Emerging Talent Showcase Winner at Millport Country Music Festival 2018, Zoee, before Two Ways Home and The Blue Highways take to the stage. The Saturday headliner is being kept as a surprise for now, with the artist set to be announced in the coming weeks. On the Sunday, Katee Kross & The Amberjax kick things off, before Russ Tolman and Morganway will perform. Following Morganway’s set, Dayton will close the festival. Tickets for Country in the Afternoon are £15 for a day or £25 for both. Saturday tickets can be purchased here, while Sunday tickets can be acquired here. Both links have the option to purchase a full weekend ticket.

Harold F Eggers, Jr MY YEARS WITH TOWNES VAN ZANDT: MUSIC, GENIUS AND RAGE Backbeat Books Townes Van Zandt, one of country’s most enigmatic songwriters, was a curious character and that’s never been in doubt. A character in turmoil whose well-spoken gentlemanly charm was in sharp contrast with his intake of drink and drugs. He died on New year’s Day 1997 from heart problems caused by decades of self-abuse, aged only 52, yet the creator of songs that sold millions of copies, but only by other artists. There’s Pancho And Lefty (a No. 1 for Willie and Merle) and If I Needed You (a top 10 hit for Emmylou Harris and Don Williams) for starters, with many more such as For The Sake Of The Song, honoured by others (not least our own Danny and the Champions of the World). Yet what has never before been documented quite so profoundly – and sadly – is the true depth of Townes’ internal pain. This book comes from the inside looking out, Eggers (“H” as Townes knew him), the artist’s long-time road manager and in his later years, business partner. While the tragic tale of the downfall of a genius, the book is also full of laughs, able to chronicle Townes’ knife-edge switches from cheeky schoolboy to demented depressive. For every pained story of the problems caused by his teenage electric shock treatment to stem his rebellious personality, there’s one of madness on the road as he and H fled gangster club bosses, climbed out of windows and high-tailed it across the US like something from a silent comedy film. The road heads from Austin to Nashville and all the way to the UK (he worked with Brit country-rock artist Michael Weston King, recording his song Riding The Range with his then band, the Good Sons) and back. It’s the story of a poet and a performer never quite able to live with himself, leaving others to live with those conflicts instead. Sad, beautiful – and laugh a minute. Nick Dalton www.backbeatbooks.com  

Danny Schmidt STANDARD DEVIATION Live Once Records **** Wonderful heartfelt songs, superb singer, excellent band – get your plastic out Danny Schmidt has been out there making a name for himself for the last 20 years and this is his 10thalbum. It’s a largely acoustic affair with terrific singing, a wonderful band and songs that will stay with you. The opening track, Just Wait Til They See You, highlights Schmidt’s expressive voice and some lovely acoustic guitar. His themes are big and across the album, he sings of gentrification, honesty and the importance of family. Having said that, one of the real plus points here is just the tone of his voice that just draws you into the songs and that feeling is enhanced by the warmth of the bands playing. The title track, Standard Deviation, sounds quietly epic as it opens with a lovely acoustic guitar figure and his plaintive vocal and a lonely fiddle and strong characters emerging from within the song. It builds gently to a lively climax with talk of “poetry and greed” with some heavenly backing vocals and a rolling piano. A quiet masterpiece. Schmidt’s influences come from Appalachian folk music and he cites strong writers like Dylan, Leonard Cohen and John Pine as his main influences. That’s not to say that he is in any way a copyist as he has his own gentle style and songs like Blue Hole in Time have their own template and it’s Danny’s voice and urgent delivery that give this album a unique feel that’s a rare thing today. Perhaps the standout track here is Newport ’65 that seems to be an oblique tribute to Bob Dylan and his world shaking performance at that famous US folk festival back in 1965 when Bob went electric and there’s talk here of “shepherds and sheep” that might be a reference to those attending that historic festival. The lyrics tells us that “the path of the prophet is crooked and cruel where every false turn means a fall from the truth”. Then there’s some very Dylanesque harmonica playing that precedes a snatch of The Times They are A-Changin’. It’s a heartfelt cheeky tribute that tells you were Schmidt is coming from. So if you like your music articulate, thoughtful, intelligent and melodic, then get your plastic out for this one – it’s an understated corker. Greg Johnson www.dannyschmidt.com  

The Gillies NO HIDING PLACE Back Porch Recordings *** Gently does it from the South East London folkies The Gillies are Susan Turner and Mark (Gilly) Evans; an Americana influenced alt-folk duo plying their trade largely in folk clubs in the London area. Both have a likeable finger-picking guitar style with Turner taking on all lead vocal duties, whilst Evans chips in with backing vocals. Susan Turner has endearing vocal talents, which falter only occasionally when she attempts to veer out of her range. Just six new songs are on offer, all with a bewitching and bittersweet theme. The single taken from the album, Adam and Eve, is described as recorded under a Forest Hill sky with Norfolk in mind as the couple let their imagination run wild. Check out the video on their website. It’s all very easy on the ear which should go down well on the folk club scene without setting the world alight. The short album is padded out with two further versions of Adam and Eve and a demo of Long Journey Home, the ultimate of the six tracks on the album. These additions brought little of value to the party. John Roffey www.thegilliesmusic.com  

Fender goes WeighLess Some guitars and basses can be heavy to wear, especially if you are playing a four hour gig.  To amend this, Fender have just released their new WeighLess logo straps, which are available in Black/Black, White/Black, Black/White and White/White. The elastic design of the straps elevates the weight of the guitar better, which gives your shoulder a break and in turn, allows you to play better.  The classic F is located on the ends of the straps and the Fender logo that is located through the middle looks great, too. If you need a guitar strap that is easier on your body, but still keeps your instrument secure, check out the iconic brand’s new WeighLess straps! www.fender.com Eric Dahl – you can follow Eric on Twitter at @ericrocksnash