Alessi's Ark at the Camden Barfly

Alessi's Ark

Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou

Stealing Sheep

Camden Barfly, 24 August 2011

I can't help but feel a swell of pride over Alessi. Since I first discovered her three years ago when she was just 18 I've seen her play numerous shows, release two excellent albums and grow immeasurably as an artist and performer. It's bewildering to me that she hasn't graduated to playing bigger venues than this, the tiny Camden Barfly where I've seen many a friend's band play, but the place is admittedly filled to the brim with barely room to move so hopefully that's a positive sign that her whimsical and enchanting style of folk pop is catching on a little.

The Jayhawks at The Forum

The Jayhawks

Mark Olson & Ingunn Ringvold

The Forum, 5 August 2011

Of all the bands that emerged from the so-called alternative country scene The Jayhawks always seemed to be the most under-appreciated. It's particularly crazy given that during the 90s they released two albums that equal, and maybe even better, anything Uncle Tupelo ever made. But in the mid-90s one of the band's main songwriters, Mark Olson, decided to leave the band and although they carried on making great records those special harmony vocals between Olson and fellow frontman Gary Louris were sorely missed. I saw Olson-less Jayhawks twice before they split and they were always fantastic but when Louris teamed up with Olson for a duo album there was no doubt that these two guys were meant to sing together. I guess it was only a matter of time before the whole classic line-up of the band got back together, lucky for us, and the gig tonight to finally see and hear the chemistry between these five guys and gal really was worth the wait.