It may well be that we have to rename may as Lisa Wright month, with a big EP launch to come this week she has been putting in the shifts whether supporting the likes of Cam & Phil Vassar or popping up twice in four days at the Green Note. In footballing terms it would be called being match fit and she'll certainly be gig fit ready for the big launch. The set by now is pretty familiar but that does not take away the joy of hearing "Tennessee" once again or the Holloway Road co write "In The End" - She deserves a successful launch at 229 on Wednesday and we'll be there to report on how it goes.
Next on was another rising star on the UK country scene, Hannah Paris. Normally performing with a full band, tonight was a chance to see Hannah ‘stripped back’ with just Jake Priestley on accompanying acoustic guitar. In an eight song set, she performed all the tracks from her highly successful EP “Short Stories”, including her latest single “Just You Wait”, which is one of the more upbeat country/rock numbers compared to the rest of the EP. The performance of the punchy ”L.A.” also had a different feel to it tonight, with just the two guitars, (instead of the full band). Hannah also recounted the tale behind her song “Halfway Home”. While working as a hairdresser, she overheard a conversation between her customers, about a bride running away from church, in her wedding dress, after realising she shouldn’t get married, proving you can get song writing inspiration from all walks of life! Hannah covers a range of Americana/Country/Pop styles, but her powerful haunting vocals always shine through.
After a short break, the final act of the evening, Angels With Dirty Faces, took to the stage. Tonight was going to be something different, with Melanie Greggain standing in for Kalli Ashton. Performing as a five piece band, they coped well with the small Green Note stage. A nine song set, including all four songs from their recent EP, began with “How Long The Wait” then had Melaine taking lead vocals on “Without Wings” before the touching love song “PS I Loved You”. Stuart Landon’s powerful gravelly vocals on Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey “ (with a little help from the audience), was a particular highlight of the evening. Melanie then performed her own song “Ready To Run”, (rather awkwardly she confessed, as she was used to performing with a guitar), before Stuart spoke about his personal feelings for the person who saved his life during his dark period and drug addiction, which inspired the next song “I Lean On”. Then, with Stuart on his own acoustically, came the Jason Isbell song “Elephant”.The evening ended with a surprising performance of Maren Morris’s “My Church”. The Angels are a first class country rock band, and at it would be nice to see them in London more often. Stuart’s vocals can change easily to suit any style, from a deeply personal soft approach, to strong powerful rock ballads. Melanie added perfectly to the evening, with harmonies and lead vocals when needed.
In all, another superb night’s entertainment.