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Spread over three days, July 17th-19th the south bank of the River Tyne plays host to some of the finest Americana acts performing. Jam-packed with artists both in and outdoors. The Jumpin’ Hot Stage has no fewer than 21 acts share it’s stage over the weekend; ranging from Hillfolk Noir to brilliant soul act James Hunter by way of bluegrass girls Della Mae, Belfast singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy and American blues act Moreland And Arbuckle, given the weather its going to be a terrific weekend.
Pride of place regards the evening when it all happens is undoubtedly Friday, and with Queen of Country rock as she was once hailed, Emmylou Harris and genial singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell once again playing the Sage on the opening night, the 10th SummerTyne Americana Festival couldn’t be launched by more accomplished act. Between them they have seen more Grammys, country awards plus accolades come their way than would fill the world’s biggest trunk and with their follow-up to Old Yellow Moon album, The Travelin’ Kind argued as being better the much travelled duo are on a roll.
While 30 minutes after they get under way Muscle Shoals, Alabama legends Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham in Hall Two will be kicking off their own show, and treat us to everything from I’m Your Puppet to Dark End Of The Street by way of Cry Like A Baby and Do Right Woman, Do Right Man; a rare appearance, only their second in the area and third time over on these shores.
Out in the SummerTyne Lounge (Northern Rock Foundation Hall) you have The Felice Brothers & Pierce Brothers share a stage, a mouth-watering experience for any Americana music fan. Saturday like Sunday promises to likewise have a luxury of goodies on display, as musical river cruises, music in the concourse, before after shows in Hall Two. You have a late lounge show by British top traditional country act Ags Connolly (sat; he does a River Cruise late morning too)
Duo of the moment, The Shires and Jace Everett take over Hall One on sunday evening, while Cederic Burnside and the much in demand vocalists The McCrary Sisters are in Hall Two on saturday. Country favourite Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal (sat) make an eagerly awaited return. Her 2014 three time Grammy award-winning album The River And The Thread was many a critic’s favourite album of the year, and thought to be Cash's best work ever.
Saturday hosts one of its late shows when Naomi Shelton and debut, and have the same style of music the McCrary Sisters take part on Sunday in Hall two as part of a Family Concert (Oh Happy Day). Others performing in Hall two over the weekend include Alt-Country act Gruff Rhys (sat evening) plus a couple of successes at this years Country To Country Festival, Callaghan and Jess & The Bandits share the bill (sat).
Maurice Hope