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Review: The Wandering Hearts, The Fleece – ‘Feel good country of the finest kind’
Bristol loves a bit of Americana, especially when it comes complete with brilliant songs, beautifully sung.
UK country stars, The Wandering Hearts, and Californian Pearl Charles give a packed Fleece plenty to hold to our hearts.
Initially Charles is everything you’d expect a 70s influenced hippy to be. There’s a battered acoustic guitar, a wonderfully sweet, sun-kissed voice, enough darkness to cast shadows, and a tiny bit of glam stomp.
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By the time she sits at her piano, though, she unveils a love for slinky, Studio 54 disco too. Looking For Myself, taken from her Magic Mirrors album, is full of chk-a-chk guitar and dancefloor friendly hi-hats.
At times her short set edges uncomfortably close to some sort of country-ish lounge funk, it’s kinda country, kinda dance-y, kinda easy listening. If Barabara Streisand made an Americana album it might sound like this.
The Bristol show of the current Wandering Hearts tour represents a bit of a homecoming, really. AJ Dean-Revington is from around these parts and he brings a whole lot of love with him, revelling in the glorious harmonies that his band produce.
A tender one-two taken from the recent album, Mother, is the perfect start.
About America leans into something gently folk-y, the remarkable voices of Francesca “Chess” Whiffin and Tara Wilcox locking together, jigsaw-puzzle tight. They are simply glorious, a warm wash around which everything else can move.
Wilcox takes the lead on Still Waters, her’s is a voice that’s ocean deep, unbelievably rich, CD perfect. The mood is set; wide-screen and hazy, sun-streaked and heavenly.
I Wish I Could is the smash hit that never was. Full of audience friendly woo-woos and Dean-Revington’s classic 60s Brit-Rock voice, it’s as upbeat as the opening tracks were swoon-some.
Whiffin’s mandolin adds the Americana, the female harmonising edging it towards classic status.
Each of the upbeat moments through the set are greeted with wild enthusiasm. Devil sees all three harmonising as the audience sings around them, Wilcox, again, emerging through the haze.
Rattle is just fantastic. Wilcox and Whiffin harmonise while Dean-Revington unfurls his very best Steve Winwood blues-y growl, the contrast irresistible. Dancing ensues.
Over Your Body, from their debut album, is a huge blast of sunshine, a song flecked with sea-spray and summer.
As much as the innate balance of the three voices is extraordinary, they also shine individually. Gold is an absolute epic, a tune that demands mountains and endless skies. Wilcox is equal to it, her vocal gymnastics opening the widest of vistas.
On Hold Your Tongue, Whiffin unleashes some seriously gravelly sass as wailing electric guitar and country-got-soul organ adds to her snarl. It’s like sandpaper made from diamonds.
Two songs leave The Fleece audience spilling into the night, humming happily. Build A Fire/Fire and Water is massive. Mandolin, tambourine and three voices racing one another towards light-night campfire wonder.
River to Cry is just a huge chorus-hungry monster.
The Wandering Hearts are feel good country of the finest kind. Bristol’s love of Americana was wonderfully renewed.
Main photo: Gavin McNamara
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