I’m a fan of Rachel Harrington’s previous albums, Celilo Falls (2011), City of Refuge (2008) and The Bootlegger’s Daughter (2007) all classy Americana at the folksy end of the genre, thoughtful writing brought to life by Rachel’s engaging vocal, her latest album though caught me of-guard as she’s ditched the more ‘serious’ music and with her long-time producer Evan Brubaker and the Knock Outs, Alisa Milner (fiddle), Rebecca Young (bass), Moe Provencher (guitar) and Aimee Tubbs (drums) released a cracking album combining the best elements of classic country and honky-tonk, blended it with a little Spector-esque rock n roll and serves it up with some stylised writing making the album a real pleasure to listen too – I feel I’ve being neglecting my ‘twang’ side recently and this album is a perfect tonic to that.
The back story and inspiration for the Knock Outs collaboration came when Rachel was asked to perform some songs at a Patsy Cline tribute concert, during the Seattle Theater Group ’s annual event Rachel got talking to a group of fellow artists and musicians and from their shared love of honky tonk, classic country and rock n roll the Knock Outs were born and studio time booked, on the album additional contributors include Mark Erelli, Tommy Hannum (Steve Earle) and Tim Carroll
The album is released formally on April 30th and there’s an extensive UK tour that kicks of next week, the tour line-up includes the Knock Outs, Alisa Milner, Aimee Tubbs & Rebecca Young, the songs on the new album will no doubt sound better still in a live setting so get yourselves along to one of the shows if you can – dates and details below.
Listen @Bandcamp Homepage Twitter
March
Tue 13th, Bilston, The Robin 2, Wolverhampton.
www.therobin.co.uk
Wed 14th, Biddulph, The Biddulph Arms, Staffordshire.
www.biddulphupinarms.com
Thu 15th, Hereford, Courtyard Arts Centre
www.courtyard.org.uk
Fri 16th, West Totton, Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Nr. Southampton.
www.totton.ac.uk/hangerfarm
Sat17th, Basingstoke, The Forge at Anvil Arts.
www.anvilarts.org.uk
Sun 18th, Claverton Manor, The American Museum, Nr. Bath
www.americanmuseum.org
Sun 18th, Bristol ,The Thunderbolt.
www.bristolticketshop.co.uk
Tue 20th, Oswestry, The Ironworks, Shropshire.
www.the-ironworks.co.uk/
Wed 21st, Lowdham, The Old Ship, Nr. Nottingham
www.wegottickets.com/event/134062
Thu 22nd, Sheffield, The Greystones.
www.wegottickets.com/event/139567
Fri 23rd, Cottingham, The Back Room, Nr. Hull.
www.backroomcottingham.co.uk
Sat 24th, Cambridge, Acoustic Routes @ CB2
www.acousticroutes.co.uk
Sun 25th, London , The Underbelly, Hoxton Square N1
www.underbellyhoxton.com
Mon 26th, Brighton, The Greys.
www.greyspub.com
Tue 27th, Leicester, The Musician.
www.themusicianpub.co.uk
Wed 28th, Eaglescliffe, The Cleveland Bay, Nr. Stockton-on-Tees
www.bluesatthebay.co.uk
Thu 29th, Haile, Haile Village Hall, Nr. Egremont, 01946 841094
Fri 30th, Montrose, The Links Hotel.
www.linkshotelmusic.com
Sat 31st, Cromarty, Cromarty Old Brewery, Nr. Inverness
April
Sun 1st, Bogbain, Bogbain Farm, Nr. Inverness
www.bogbainfarm.com/whats-on/
Tue 3rd, Edinburgh, Leith Folk Club @ The Victoria Park House Hotel.
www.leithfolkclub.com
Wed 4th, Perth, Perth Theatre, Redrooms Café Bar
www.horsecross.co.uk
Thu 5th, Stirling, The Tolbooth
http://tolbooth.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth.htm
