SARAH DARLING, LIV AUSTEN & VIC ALLEN
Whether with the band or solo, Darling has this audience spellbound and eating out of her hand
Ah, country music. What is it, these days? Everything from grizzled, lonesome cowboys and -gals with battered guitars and Bourbon ravaged voices to shiny arena pop seems to fall under the country banner. At times, it can be tear-jerkingly sublime, at others it can be unbearable schmaltz. What are we gonna get tonight? Well something in the middle ground.
First up is Vic Allen. The sound is at the singer-songwriter end of the country scale, with a pop sensibility and a touch of folk. Allen performs charming songs in a lovely, warm voice. Ably backed up by Tom on second guitar and vocals, it kinda reminds me of a stripped back version of Jennifer Warnes’ LP of Leonard Cohen covers – which is a very good thing indeed - more than conventional country. Having already appeared in the iTunes country charts, the future is bright for Allen and I look forward to seeing her again.
Born in Norway but based in London, Liv Austen’s on-line profile proclaims that her music is pop but it is somehow more country than Allen’s. With Jon on guitar and backing vox, Liv is an assured and thoroughly entertaining performer. The songs don’t grab me quite as much as Allen’s but this is an artist that could just break through to massive mainstream success. Hell, Window Shopping even has a hint of early Taylor Swift and that is meant as a compliment. All in all, an impressive Norwich debut.
And so to tonight’s headliner and Sarah Darling. From Des Moines, Darling is no stranger to Norwich with this being her fourth show in the fine city. With a four piece backing band of drums, keys, guitar and basses - both electric and double - Darling has a much bigger, fuller sound than either of the earlier acts. Whilst that brings a welcome variety to the evening, the songs are well written and well played and Darling has a great voice, the performance with the band is just a touch too slick and polished for me. Darling is at her best when the band leave the stage for a couple of songs. Alone with her guitar, the music transforms into something that borders on the truly affecting.
Whether with the band or solo, Darling has this audience spellbound and eating out of her hand. I can certainly understand why the audience enjoy Darling’s music and performance so much but, apart from that solo segment, it just isn’t quite for me. Like, say, Ward Thomas, a little bit of grit wouldn’t go amiss. In this audience, I am sure I am firmly in a minority of one with that view. Allen and Austen, on the other hand, certainly did excite me and, Allen in particular, stole the night. Whatever, all three of tonight’s artists deserve far bigger profiles than they currently have.
