Sarah Jarosz review

With no support act on the undercard a real value for money ticket as she performed two 45 minute sets, of which I caught the second act.

A host of warming acoustic melodies mixed with traditional and new age progressive bluegrass vibes. Band mates Nathaniel Smith and Alex Hargreaves added some ferocious play to what was an overall rather relaxed unplugged set. Sarah's own skill set across the mandolin, octave mandolin, clawhammer banjo and guitar transpired across songs such as 'My Muse', 'Old Smitty' and 'Here Nor There'.

The Boston based student has an equally gifted singing voice; one can only class it as a timeless piece of artistry incorporating all the emotive song-writing hallmarks of her native Texas. A powerful clear and crisp vocal delivery, she was bang on note with a highly impressive range, the strings just the perfect accompaniment to showcase her natural singing talent.

Not shy to incorporate her own concepts as well, as she illustrated on the solo led acoustic number 'Gypsy', a song she penned when riding the subway in New York City. Charming, quirky and affectionate lyrics, she mixes the old school with the new to both her play and song-writing. Good math then, gearing her towards full marks.

She also paid homage to her hero, bluegrass legend Doc Watson (who sadly passed away a few weeks ago), with an inspired and passionate cover of 'Deep River Blues', a song Sarah told the crowd she learned as a youngster by listening to old recordings of the flatpicking pioneer.

Sarah's connections with Scotland go beyond simply ending her UK tour in Glasgow, her college roommate Hannah hails from Edinburgh, and her adopted Scottish parents were in the crowd to lend their support, which she humbly acknowledged. Sarah and her band mates clearly had a merry time this side of the border, paying tribute to some of Glasgow's pubs and curry houses with spicy shouts of 'Butter Chicken, Butter Chicken', seems as if they enjoyed Glasgow's offering of Indian food then!

Like the pre-show meal, a melt in the mouth performance from Sarah which gave you the feeling that you were at a live venue somewhere across The Lone Star State.

Her final number of the night before a medley encore was the Edgar Allen Poe inspired 'Annabel Lee' from her second album 'Follow Me Down' which I played as part of our regular 'Playing in Town Earlier Tonight' spot.

Haste ye back Sarah, Nathaniel and Alex.