Ravi's Southern Fried Festival Review

Southern Fried Festival 2012

No open fields, camping and all night partying this time round. Instead a more relaxed and serene setting celebrating American Roots music covering all the bases from blues, country, Americana to gospel, swing and soul.



Scotland of course has a long standing association and love for American Country music which dates back to when the very first Scots immigrants sailed to US Shores from the mid-eighteenth century onwards; a point in time where two sets of folklore, instruments and cultural customs integrated. This long standing cultural love affair still blossoms to this very day as a three day strong crowd embraced and enjoyed...

So, an array of international stars and home grown talent descended on the fair city across various venues including Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre to share emotive heart-warming/breaking and joyous life tales in spirited song.

Friday's performances centred on the works of Johnny Cash, as this year would have marked the 80th birthday of the man in black. As a tribute, his legacy as a songwriter was celebrated with a fine selection Cash classics and lesser known gems with performances from Ruthie Foster, Dick Gaughan, Lera Lynn, My Darling Clementine, Jeb Loy Nichols, Dean Owens, Darrell Scott, Charles Walker and AJ Roach.

I took in the late night Saturday performance of the current darlings of UK Country and Western scene; the combined talents of real life husband and wife team Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish, who were in session on BBC Radio Scotland back in June with Ricky on Another Country.

This couple really take it back to the old skool and golden era illustrated not only through song lyric based on a remit of 'grown up songs for grown up people'...add to the mixing bowl a heavy dollop of real rootsy musicianship with vintage 60s & 70s Southern State wardrobe styles and you have all the elements that will transport you back to heyday of American country music.

Performing mostly from their debut album as a duo - 'How Do You Plead?' (Drumfire Records); highlight's of the night included 'Departure Lounge', their lead country pop-tinged single '100,000 Words', 'Nothing Left To Say' to one my personal favourites from the album 'Going Back To Memphis'.

They pride themselves on original song writing, a feat accomplished with flair but what takes it to that next level is that these duets genuinely sound as if they were written back in the 60s and 70s. A few Elvis Costello numbers too on the night being covered including 'Almost Blue' which Hubby Michael told an entertained and amused crowd of how his love affair with country music began in earnest.

The show they put is almost like a theatrical production with playful acts of tongue in cheek domestic bliss & bickering. This flirtatious couple clearly share a love for one another as well as the music they write and perform, backed up by a very classy band, this act pays homage to the indigenous roots of it all as you hear influences of Tammy Wynnette, George Jones, Elvis Pressley, Hank Williams, June Carter and Johnny Cash et al...

So How Do 'I' Plead? Guilty! I'm a big fan and can't wait to see My Darling Clementine perform their classy and heartfelt country act in Scotland again.

I also managed to catch a cheeky half hour of Bap Kennedy's roots inspired showcase on Sunday afternoon - a sincere, mellow and fun set from the Belfast born singer-songwriter. Bap was in good form not only in song but his on stage banter raising a few smiles and giggles with his infectious stories of working with living legend's such as Steve Earle and Van Morrison...oh and how 'nervous' both were working with him...quality! I loved his cover of Van Morrison's 'Madame George' delivered in an easy bluesy style.

Sadly didn't get to catch Gretchen Peters on Sunday but one of our regular listeners gave us a glowing review on Monday's show as part of our 'Playing In Town Earlier Tonight' spot. Her performance summed up neatly by one of our regular late night listeners Billy from Cumbernauld;

"Ravi, Pity you missed Gretchen Peters. She was in scintillating form. Also an acoustic set. She is a fine guitarist and it worked a treat"...

Glad you enjoyed Billy, I'm still a bit gutted I missed out! Also a wee hello to regular BBC Radio Scotland listeners Norah Strange from Springfield and Margaret McColl of Kingskettle, Fife who I bumped into at the festival, they had a thoroughly enjoyable festival and a pleasure it was to meet you both.

Sunday night also saw performances from American singer-fiddler Carrie Rodriguez and John Prine who was in 'stunning form' performing for over two hours with songs from his back catalogue which all equated to a 'modest but totally distinctive set' (with thanks to former BBC Scotland colleague Richard Bull).

*Further thanks to Marc Marnie's photography contributions