What do you mean, you’ve never heard of her? For those who think country music is just honky tonk and cowboy boots read on….
No, she isn’t knocking on the door of avant garde, or even pushing the boundaries of Americana like so many of the current crop of excellent exponents from the southern states. But she is a fine singer, can spot a strong song and, often with her husband Doug Crider, write a few as well.
In Sheffield she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, with great backing from double bass, lead acoustic guitar and mandolin (and a little harmonica). So, only three on stage but tremendously accomplished musicians. Over the years she has recorded songs by the likes of John Hiatt, Matraca Berg, Beth Nielson Chapman and Gretchen Peters, many of which she showcased on Sunday night. Her own songs sit well in the mix, including highlights ‘Just Like The Weather‘ and ‘Hey Cinderella‘ (written with Berg).
Memorial Hall in Sheffield isn’t that big a venue, but for acoustic or semi acoustic gigs it’s a perfect spot, and concerts like this only serve to show just how good it is to see real musicians in a relaxed and informal setting, genuinely simply enjoying playing. Judging by the reaction, she’s got a core of dedicated fans in Sheffield as well.
I should get out a bit more. Shame Ipswich doesn’t have a comparable venue.