Show Your Hand Album Launch from Katee Kross.
Saturday February 22nd might go down as one of the longest days travel, I’ve had just to get to Glasgow. (Bless the British weather) but it was a trip I didn’t regret as we attended the launch of the 4th album by the extremely talented young musician from Bishopbriggs Katee Kross.
The evening started with a great set by Nicol & Elliott an Americana country duo from Glasgow and it was the 1st time I had seen them live, having only heard them either on social media or streaming services. The duo consists of Andrew Nicol
on guitar and vocals along with Rachel Elliott
on fiddle and vocals and they were ably supported on stage by another 4 musicians on keys, drums, bass guitar and lead guitar. Rachel had played alongside Katee for a few gigs last year and although small in stature this cheery little lady certainly packed a punch during the set with some fantastic harmonies and fiddle playing along with Andrews guitar playing and vocals. Both performed well together or on lead vocals as and when the song required. They performed many of their own tracks and it was a pleasure to hear them.
All tracks on Katee’s new album were written by Katie O’Neil aka Katee Kross, Ross Baron and Katie's dad Peter O’Neil. Having put 3 of these new tracks out on an EP last year we were looking forward to hearing the rest of the tracks and it didn’t disappoint because wow the whole album is outstanding and thoroughly deserves the plaudits it has been receiving from the industry reviewers and media.
Katee, along with her Amberjax, Ross (lead and acoustic guitar) and Julian (upright bass and electric bass)
were joined on stage by another 4 musicians who had performed on the album with the very recognisable face of Mr Stevie Lawrence of Raintown fame on banjo, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki among them.
There was also keys, fiddle and drums with the other 3 musicians to compliment what was a brilliant sound in Websters Theatre. Credit must also go to the sound and lighting techs who did a remarkable job on he night.
The set included all 10 tracks from “Show Your Hand” with Katee giving a brief description of how the songs came about and the evening included a few covers. This multi-talented young lady also did a couple of songs on her own playing mandolin and she really struck a great rapport with the sold-out audience.
Having seen Katee quite a few times now it is great to see the progression she keeps making and long may this continue. The night ended with a well-deserved standing ovation for Katee and we look forward to what’s in store next from this hard-working young lady.
My personal favourite track on the album is “Diamonds In The Dust” but it was a very close-run thing with the incredible “Dancing With My Past”. All 10 tracks are fantastic.
