Concert Review:  Jackie Bristow, Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, 21 February 2021

Country music artist Jackie Bristow plays like she was born and raised in a Winnebago travelling constantly between Nashville and Memphis. She is from Gore, so she is Kiwi. And raised in the home of Country music New Zealand.

Supremely talented singer-songwriter of Americana and Country Rock. Many years absorbing the spirit of Nashville, Memphis, Austin and Fame Recording Studios.

Stuck inside Mobile with the Memphis Blues? World madness of 2020 has seen her homebound for now. She is a solo troubadour with acoustic guitar tonight.

The sun is beating on my shoulders/ Take me as I am and a lived-in Heartland Country voice. Laurel Canyon Stevie Nicks with a Southern twang and a whiskey huskiness.

You walked right into my life when I needed you most. When she’s slow, she is full of soul.

Whistle Blowin’ and it is cold and fog-shrouded. A shuffling train rhythm on guitar and some atmospheric train-whistle calls.

Aotearoa was written from the point of view of exile, and so it has a longing quality. Hokonui Hills to Lake Whakatipu. Sounds Folk as a solo tonight.

Fallen Youth originated as a poem from an Anzac soldier in the First World War. A death song     that has the tones of Americana going back to the music of the Civil War.

The last time Jackie played in the Garden City was backing Bonnie Raitt. Her most recent single Blue Moon Rising is R’n’B with a sensual voice wrapping around you as she sings about howling hounds and rocking you all night long.

Caroline Jones

Opening tonight is surprise guest Caroline Jones from New York City. I had not heard of her but she is a young Country artist and tipped as a fast-rising star by the likes of Rolling Stone magazine.

Very easy to see and hear why. Bounces on stage lookin’ right purty and blonde. A strong, crystal-clear voice with a pronounced Country accent. Not too far from stadium singers like Ariana Grande or a Taylor Swift.

Coming out of quarantine and looking for a band. Found the Father of New Zealand Bluegrass, Paul Trenwith. So, the Trenwiths are accompanying her tonight, with sons Sam and Tim, and mandolin player Keith McMillan.

She plays a few of her own. Chasin’ Me. Traditional lyrics but the sound is Alt-Country from the band. A powerful voice with piercing and sustained high tones.

Rise is more rocking. A bouncy rhythm led by a walking acoustic bass and a nice strutting and sexy vocal. The mandolin plays a high melody line to counter-point.

Doesn’t take long for the Bluegrass to appear. Traditional song Wayfaring Stranger and the drama and passion rise with the singer. Some Black Gospel tones. The banjo takes a fast break and the mandolin harmonises with him.

Roll in my Sweet Baby’s Arms rolls and tumbles in classic style. I know your daddy don’t like me is pure invitation.

Covers some of the greats. Townes Van Zandt’s If I Needed You. She can sound like Emmylou, tender and yearning. Banjo does a slow solo and the mandolin steps in with an off-load. Nice ensemble harmony vocals to finish.  

Finishes her set by picking up a resonator guitar and trading slide licks with the banjo. Southern Swamp Rock.

Jackie Bristow

Jackie Bristow’s music can seem to carry a lot of the vastness of the country she seems to have a good emotional understanding of. Warrior Spirit took inspiration from a spiritual quest. A Country Soul voice and a lament to healing and forgiveness. Eastern spirit tones haunt in the background.

A new tune Rocking Chair is Blues blending with Country.

If you play it faster it becomes Rockabilly. On a song which starts my bedroom is a shambles. And then hightails it out of there.

Closes tonight with the title track of her album Freedom. The loose wild spirit of the Sixties. It is Country Rock but has the loose rhythm riffs you find tumbling around the Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street.

A superb set from an artist of Americana, who has the ability to encompasses that vast land of music. And the smaller homeland. She said she will be performing more, likely with a band in tow. Take the opportunity.

Rev Orange Peel