Ross Stewart and Band - Sells Out Voodoo Daddy's Showroom

Hanging Out With the Stars

The Hanging Stars – Norwich Arts Centre

19^th March 2024

 

Americana is a tough trail to follow and the highway is pretty crowded.  There are plenty of bands heading West looking for El Dorado these days and not all of them are going to succeed, but The Hanging Stars are making good headway, ploughing their own deep furrow of cosmocity under the big skies of the Mid-West.

 

The band has just released a bright, sparkly album On A Golden Shore that has been very well-received.  If they don’t make it further down this particular dusty track, not one of this energetic band will be faulted for lack of commitment to the cause. 

On A Golden Shore, The Hanging Stars

 

Richard Olson is the front man, lead singer and guitarist, who by the end of the set was wiped out.  Leaning on the wall by the merch stand, he looked absolutely drained.  I am not sure I have ever seen a musician so visibly exhausted at the end of a show.  After just over an hour on stage he looked like he had just gone ten rounds in the ring. 

 

Tonight’s set had begun with a brief hello and check in on the well-being of the crowd, The Hanging Stars then opened up with Let Me Dream of You, a song that firmly established a groovy, and yes, dreamy atmosphere for the show.  The band followed up with Paul Milne’s throbbing bass intro for Summer in Her Eyes, which was neatly juxtaposed with the crystalline threads of pedal steel guitar from Joe Harvey-White, who is a point of curious interest stage-left, crouched over the instrument, keeping it sweet.  

 

Throughout the night, Patrick Ralla embellished the sound with some beautiful guitar solos, before stepping back to play electric piano to accompany the final three numbers of powerful country rock.     

 

Paulie Cobra’s drums are a vital part of the sound, particularly as the tempo and forcefulness of the set developed.  He really came into his own as the show reaches a sustained peak. Cobra playing a significant part in House on The Hill, which left the audience clapping and cheering for more, which they got with Raindrop in a Hurricane prior to the concluding Hollow Heart.

 

The point of difference from others in this genre is the drive and energy that Olson and crew expend in live performance.  He is particularly demonstrative in his presentation.  He is a remarkably energetic  rhythm guitarist.  Holding his guitar neck high above his left shoulder, he is constantly moving to the beat, holding the audience’s full focus.

Richard Olson & Patrick Ralla

 

Norwich’s Future Radio had plugged the gig locally, creating a good level of interest in The Hanging Stars. The Norwich Arts Centre was also smart enough to sign up a couple of opening acts of local renown.  

 

The Arlenes, have a decent following for the heart-rending country rocking tunes of legendary Big Steve. On opening with Going to California one knew immediately that this is an accomplished and confident band.  A band with excellent songs and a great sound, mining classic country gold. Have You Found Someone New? being not-least of the numbers I thoroughly enjoyed.  The Reindeer, Dereham Road, Norwich is where you can catch Big Steve in various guises from time-to-time.

 

At the other end of their musical journey were Lone Mesa, who opened the night’s entertainment.  The boys are working on developing a stage presence whilst still fresh on their musical journey of geographically titled tunes. 

 

Whatever had brought the people to St Benedict’s Street, the eclectic crowd of music lovers in the audience were out to enjoy themselves, regardless of it being a Tuesday evening. 

 

The challenge facing The Hanging Stars, or any groups harvesting the frequently crossed Americana prairie is how to deliver something distinctive and memorable when they tumble into town.  There are many so excellent musicians exploring these evocative musical vistas at the moment.  Norwich currently has its own crop of fine talent, not least the outstanding duo The Molee Shakes and the recently formed band UFO Rodeo.

 

Of The Hanging Stars' songs played tonight, I greatly enjoyed Sweet Light, Radio On and I Don’t Want to Feel So Bad. The band put on an entertaining show with a well-balanced set of songs. Well worth seeing!  

 

After tonight’s dynamic show there was lots of happy chatter from the dispersing audience.  The Hanging Stars had done the business, confirming their Best in Class status.  Inevitably with this sound, there are always comparisons being made.  The Cosmic Rough Riders, Grateful Dead, Crosby Stills & Nash, even aspects of Primal Scream’s diversion into country rock, sprung to mind during the show, but The Hanging Stars can stand proudly in the saloon bar, having held their own in the rich tapestry of Americana music.

 

What is the appeal of Americana to the many musicians in England circling their wagons around the jangly guitar tones and vocal harmonies that typify the genre?  It is a nice sound and very often that is all you hear, the nice sound.  The genre presents a challenge for all musicians in the camp to stand out from their fellow travellers.  The Hanging Stars are worth seeing because they leave nothing in the saddlebags when they hit the stage.  They give it their best shot - which is all you can ask.

 

You can catch The Hanging Stars at numerous venues around the UK, including the Red Rooster Festival at the end of May and 1^st June, or if you miss those dates, they start touring through Spain from 20^th September, 2024.

 

Spencer Ide, 19th March 2024