CHROMEDOMES LOCKDOWN LOOKBACK NO22
Week 22 and still in lockdown but thankfully we are seeing a slow return to live music gigs. Returning to live gigs which are the mainstay of many artists livelihoods which means there may be a slight reduction in the number of online livestreams and in turn will mean a shorter weekly blurb from me.
Monday night saw The Rising in their usual slot and this week it was the turn of Carrie Underwood’s music to get the livestream juices flowing and the interpretation of Carries songs were delivered extremely well by Chris and Chantelle. Some of Carries power ballads were given the wow factor with Chantelle’s own powerful vocals with great accompaniment from Chris on the guitar.
Tuesday night saw me playing catch up having to watch Robyn Taylor later in the evening but one of Robyn’s songs was dedicated to her two girls and was a beautiful rendition of In My Daughters Eyes. This song really showed the expression of love for her two girls. . Dixie Jade were the late evening entertainment and the two girls have some beautiful self penned songs and there is one that sticks in my head every time I hear it called Grit and Amazing Grace and they also did a fantastic job of The Judd’s song Grandpa.
Wednesday night had Alan West and the beer tree back on screen and as I keep saying this is a livestream that brings back a lot of older country songs done in Alans own way and his memories of the shows he has done over the years with some great performers are always a pleasure to listen to. Elaine Lennon was back chatting to another great Uk singer songwriter Simon James, and this was an evening of great insights to the music performances and writing processes which our favourite artists all to go through. Both artists sang some of their own music and although I have known Simon for quite a while now some of his life story recollection really hit a spot on my emotional scale.
Thursday night had my wonderful friend Jessica Lynn with her guitar taking requests and playing some unbelievable songs that tested her to the limit. There were very few songs she did not try as the range of requests were coming from Snow Patrol to Miranda Lambert and Elton John as well as some of her own tracks. This is always a great treat to hear as it really tests her ability and makes her learn so many new songs.
Friday saw my great Scottish friends Paul and Claire of Raintown with Stevie Lawrence give an early evening stream on the Nashville Meets London Platform. Since some of the lockdown restrictions have been reduced it has allowed them to go back into the studio to work on some new music for an up coming album and we were treated to some of the new songs and some Raintown classics. I am always trying my best to encourage people to listen to these guys and I will say that the new music I hope will bring many new fans. Friday night was possibly going to be incomplete as Kezia Gill was away on tour to Liechtenstein but thankfully her husband Lloyd managed to provide a few Facebook livestreams and along with a radio station we were entertained with some of the great music we have come to expect from Kezia. Over the weekend there was a video that came out with Kezia performing Amazing Grace and wowwwwwww it stirred the emotions. If you get the chance to see it, please take time to share it with others.
Saturday was a very quiet day online for me but I did manage to catch Runaway June and although they have changed their line-up with Natalie Stovall on fiddle they still have a remarkable sound which was demonstrated in an exiting cover of Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s In Love With The Boy”.
Again my week ended with a few streams on Sunday and it started with Laura Oakes who this week filled her show with her own tracks and it was great to hear some of her older numbers resurface along with some of her songs that she had written in lockdown. One of my favourites from the show was Better In Blue Jeans. Jessica Lynn was back with a paid stream on YouTube where she did a request theme again but this time playing the piano. Jessica is a classically trained pianist and again it was a treat to hear her attempt songs she had never done before after looking up the chords. She also did stripped back versions of her last two releases and hearing Run To and Now Or Never which sounded absolutely fantastic on piano only. I would love to hear a piano version of these when she appears over here on tour hopefully next year. My week ended with a great set from SaraBeth and Glen who always have a great laugh with the people watching and commenting and the highlight of tonight show was Glens rendition of The Devil Went Down To Georgia.
Well that is it for another week so please everybody take care and stay safe until next time.