Caitlin Rose at Dingwalls

Caitlin Rose
Steelism
Andrew Combs
Camden Dingwalls, 27 February 2013

There's a show on TV right now called Nashville focusing on a seasoned country diva and a hip new starlet. But it's the smaller musicians frequenting the intimate and infamous Bluebird Cafe that are the most likeable and talented and watching Caitlin Rose's superb opening acts, Andrew Combs and the instrumental group Steelism, I can definitely imagine them in those legendary settings being discovered by the DJ/producer played by JD Souther.
That's because there's something brilliantly authentic about both acts, you get the feeling this is the music they were reared on, that flows through their veins. Combs, despite the stubble, has a baby face which, like Ryan Bingham, doesn't prepare you for his world-weary gravelly voice. I actually missed the first part of his set and as I came in couldn't see the stage as he stood alone with his acoustic singing a song that sounded like Ryan Adams at his most lonesome. As I pushed my way to the front I was picturing in my head an older well-worn guy singing with years of experience but as the 26-year-old Combs came into view it was definitely a surprise. I'm not sure if the first half of his set was just him performing acoustically but the final few songs saw him backed by Steelism and things turned pretty rocking.

When Steelism returned by themselves after a break they couldn't have been more different (albeit still within the country music realm) coming across like a country version of The Shadows. There was a mixture of original material and classic instrumentals, including a stunning version of Santo & Johnny's instantly recognisable Sleepwalk and a hugely fun version of the James Bond theme. But it was the final song, a cover of The Beatles' Something, which I'm sure George Harrison himself would have adored, that was the real showstopper. Steelism are absolutely superb musicians, it was a real pleasure to see them play.

Of course I didn't have to wait long for Steelism to return as they were back once again playing with Caitlin Rose (you have to admire their work ethic, three shows every night) and she even admitted that it was nice to be back and able to afford to bring over the very best musicians to play with this time. They certainly helped bring her fantastic new album, The Stand-In, to life. "I've got my heels on, so I'm very serious tonight" she says smiling and she definitely is exuding a 40s glamour tonight but its clear from the start that she is having a ball with her new band and sounding all the better for it. This certainly was a better show than the last time I saw her, when I think being on the road too long had left her feeling fed up. Tonight she was full of charm, jokes, silly anecdotes and fun banter with her band. 

Starting off with opener from her new album, No One To Call, Rose's good spirits certainly don't dampen that beautiful sob in her voice that brings out the full heartbreak in her songs and makes every one full of emotion and spirit. Because I saw her a few times supporting her debut I was pretty happy that this time she pretty much concentrated on the new record with Only A Clown (co-penned by The Jayhawks' Gary Louris no less), the storming Menagerie and a heartfelt cover of The Felice Brothers' Dallas (maybe because it's where she was born, although she moved to Nashville as a child) proving particularly memorable. That said one of the best moments of the night is courtesy of an older number, with her band abandoning her to an empty stage to play a truly beautiful acoustic version of For The Rabbits.

The encore proved just as much fun, if not more, with Caitlin forgetting to leave the stage and then remembering too late and pretending to leave and return, feigning surprise, before calling on Combs to perform a great duet of one of his songs, the amusingly titled Too Stoned To Cry and a full band version of Shanghai Cigarettes. The second encore was genuine and saw the band (including singer-songwriter Robert Ellis, in town after supporting Richard Thompson the night before) joining her at the microphones on front of the stage, clinking their beer bottles together and laughing while Rose led the chorus of There's An Answer In One Of These Bottles with the audience gamely singing along loudly.

All in all a great return from Caitlin, who continues to prove that country music, the good stuff, is still out there and, like on the TV show Nashville it may not be in the charts but it's alive and well in the smaller clubs, drinking beer, having singalongs and singing songs of true heartbreak, and I don't know about you but that sure makes me feel better.

Caitlin and Andrew Combs