Hot Club Of Cowtown

Returning to Shoreham for their annual hoedown, the Texas-based trio did what they do best and delivered a textbook display of Western Swing and Tin Pan Alley standards. Guitarist Whit Smith played a vintage Gibson with a deft ’50s style that is rarely heard these days; vamping behind Elana James’s devil-worrying fiddle or running up and down the fret on intricate solos. The devoted crowd were respectfully hushed during a beautiful and delicate ‘Stardust’ and whooped and hollered along to Jake Erwin’s slap bass and calls. A thundering ‘Orange Blossom Special’ ended a night of musical perfection.

Ropetackle Centre, 2 November 2013

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