Superlative live TV performance from the John Peel approved country singer.
Whilst looking for content for this feature, I’ve been impressed by the number of US late-night TV shows there have been over the years that were willing to showcase music from outside of the mainstream. The Late Show with David Letterman (1993 -2015) is perhaps the best example, with a fabulous archive of performances to draw upon. However, for this week’s clip I have turned to Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993 – 2009) and a January 2003 appearance by Laura Cantrell performing ‘All the Same to You’ from her 2002 sophomore album ‘When the Roses Bloom Again’. A beautiful song, caressed by Cantrell’s heavenly voice, is added to by her impeccable phrasing and perfect timing. The addition of a formidable band adds to the overall magic of this clip. John Peel famously said of her debut album ‘Not the Tremblin’ Kind’ that it was “My favourite album of the last ten years and possibly my life”. High praise indeed but to these ears the follow-up was equally good. The standard dipped slightly (from a very high base) with subsequent releases, so for me this clip captures Cantrell at the peak of her career.
