Established 2017 says the logo, and the Ramblin’ Roots Revue, despite rather oddly sharing a name with an entirely unconnected festival in the Netherlands, offers a convivial opportunity for a mass gathering of the UK Americana clans who also frequent events like Kilkenny Roots and Static Roots in Germany. This Ramblin’ Roots takes place over three days in two rooms in a student union in the centre of High Wycombe, accompanied by extraordinary amounts of beer.
Friday featured the unlikely concept of country music from Tunbridge Wells by the impressively large-lunged Sorrel Nation and her lively five-piece band of van-dwellers. The Marriage was a pleasant harmony duo featuring Kirsten Adamson with Dave Burn of Orphan Colours. Then, controversy broke out. Entering to their version of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’, Ward Thomas offered the more commercial approach to sweet-voiced country rock. Sensibly using just one extra guitarist rather than a bunch of sessioners, the clever harmonies and slighty twee songs divided opinion among the assembled beard strokers. A richly-merited bollocking from the stage silenced the annoying chatterers in the crowd and allowed the rest of us to enjoy the vocal gymnastics. It was a bit depressing to be reminded that their heyday was nine years ago, but they seemed cheerful enough.
The unaffected tones of Hannah Scott made a sober and dignified start to Saturday, a programme that featured the cream of Anglo-Americana. The rarely-spotted Rosellys’ country folk and “new grass” hit the spot with the bespoke audience. They are also extremely witty, which created a lively atmosphere. Ren Harvieu and Romeo Stodart are a characterful combo whose laid-back semi-bluesy songs made for an imaginative lunchtime treat, their sparky, quirky lyrics and clear mutual connection mingling memorably with their sartorial elegance.
An engaging set from Sarah Jane Scouten, accompanied by the ubiquitous and supremely talented Chris Hillman, paved the way for the towering Peter Bruntnell band. In the form of their lives, they hit exactly the right spot at the right time with the right audience. The perfect psych double whammy of ‘Broken Wing’ and ‘Camelot In Smithereens’ almost blew the (admittedly rather flimsy) roof off.
Back in the early 60s, American blues musicians would tour the UK with a ready-made homegrown band. Scott Warman, Jamie Dawson and Joe Coombs now do the same, very effectively, for visiting US roots artists. They did a great job on a roaring set from Annie Keating, although someone suggested to me that she resembled a primary school headmistress conducting assembly, which slightly spoiled the effect.
Oxford’s Dreaming Spires are on the verge of a comeback and took the opportunity to present songs from their ‘Searching For The Supertruth’ album, to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Featuring the ever-charming vocals of the Bennett brothers, the performance served as a reminder of what a super selection of songs that record contained, and whetted the appetite for the forthcoming new material.
Two Dreaming Spires members are also in Danny & The Champions Of The World whose new, more instrumentally-based style, exemplified in their new album ‘You Are Not A Stranger Here’, allows guitarist Paul Lush to take flight in a disciplined and focused manner. Cleverly inserting old favourites like ‘(Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket’ among the generally more mid-paced new materials ensured a rousing reception, before much of the audience retired to an all-star Dylan tribute and late night Travelodge shenanigans over which it is best to draw a veil.
Sunday morning provided an effective hangover cure in the form of some early performances by top quality female artists, including a thoughtful and melodic set from Katie Whittaker. Roseanne Reid followed with some beautifully understated, deeply personal songs, perfect for the moment. Refreshingly fiddle-free, this was a magical highlight of the weekend. Her cover of ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ was inspired. Cheerful birdsong then accompanied the mellow grooves of Bobby Lee, while veteran acoustic folksters Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou demonstrated the merits of pure voices and true love.
It’s always fun to observe the consternation caused by any straying from genre. Have you seen the comments about James Bay being booked for The Long Road? You’d think that World War 3 had broken out – oh, hang on, maybe it’s about to anyway? Thus, the cheerful and highly communicative Simeon Hammond Dallas injected a much-needed hint of soul and despite some of the doubts of the stalwarts, it’s fair to say that she is probably the only person on the bill ever likely to become a household name.
A solo set from Toronto’s Jerry Leger captivated the rapt main room with acoustic versions of songs old and new from his catalogue, before the Byrdsian jangle of Orphan Colours led the way, via a slightly spooky set from Autumn Saints, towards a ramping up of the psych quota from The Hanging Stars.
The tangible sense of anticipation as they took to this stage was rewarded by a set brimming with something that had been largely lacking in many of the preceding acts, namely sublime stagecraft. Richard Olson is a complete natural, although perhaps not deserving the tag of Messiah Complex that one wag in the audience was suggesting. I once got into trouble for comparing this band to Oasis but I’m unrepentant. The threads, the swagger, the psych emphasis, the melodies and the infectiously lumbering beats are irresistible. It all added up to a quite thrilling feeling of togetherness in the room and provided the perfect climax to a packed and eventful weekend.
Excellent review, many thanks. Captured the “vibe” (as young people say) perfectly. I particularly enjoyed the final three acts on the Sunday, which kept the energy levels up amongst the slightly less packed than Saturday throng.
One small point. My wife, who was a primary school head teacher, would be delighted to have her energy in assemblies likened to that of Annie Keating, but to my certain knowledge she never had Year 6 chanting “f*ck Duane”.
Great review. Nicely nuanced. But there has to be a mention for the closing act on Friday night Savannah Garner and the Recovering Good Girls. They were a sassy blast of good-time Americana, and delighted the audience with their anthem ‘Born in the Wrong Generation’
Great review, thanks! Cracking weekend. Also have to mention the opening set on Sunday morning by Susannah Clegg, incredible voice and some nice songwriting to ease into the day!
Nice review but it’s a shame you seem to have missed arguably the two most exciting young acts of the festival.
Savannah Gardner and her band were in superb form on Friday night, playing with a real verve and energy that was perhaps lacking from one or two of the more established acts.
Highlight of the festival though was undoubtedly Susannah Clegg, who opened up Sunday morning but really deserved to be higher on the bill. I hadn’t come across her before but she blew me away! What a talent!