In a city built on music legacy, a small Liverpool crowd were reminded why original music is still the best.
An audience of 70 people gathered in The British Music Experience on Thursday night to watch artist Joe Martin perform songs from his his second album.
The space lent itself to something more intimate than a standard gig and didn’t disappoint.
What followed was a night of original country music built on story telling.
Support act Katy Hurt from Wirral opened with ‘The Kiss’ and ‘You still love me’.
Her debut album ‘Gimme a break’ was produced in Winnipeg in minus twenty-eight just before the pandemic. ‘Sounds good in a bar’ framed her performance, that felt quietly resilient.
Closing with ‘All we ever had’, she left the room in reflective mood.
Headliner Joe Martin opened with ‘Hand me down heart, moving through ‘long gone and ‘strangers to lovers with confidence. His style sits comfortably with modern country, but it is the detail both lyrically and anecdotally that sets him apart.
Most of the set came from his second album ‘Alone in Valentine’, recorded in the former home of his hero Glenn Campbell and produced by Cal Campbell.
Between songs his stories told of an Uber driver Steve Thompson who recognised Joe’s track: ‘Does it rain in LA?’ A chance encounter that led to Steve and Joe working together and ultimately led him to Valentine, Texas, a town of just 73 people where he performed to just five in what was known as the biggest dive bar in America. His album cover was shot at this bar.
Another ride provided the line: ‘I traded her love for liquor which would go on to feature in the song brown paper bag.’ A reminder that song writing often comes from the unexpected and every day.
There were moments of deep reflection. ‘Coal town’, a song about declining industrial communities in mid America, a reminder that not every anecdote is light-hearted.
In a city defined by it’s love of music and its musical legacy, the evening served as a reminder of the importance of supporting grass roots artists. Nights like this in small rooms in front of an intimate audience is where new music is tested, shaped and kept alive.
Joe closed with ‘adios’ written by Gerry Webber, bringing the night to a gentle finish.
