Sam Outlaw: Jumpin Hot Club, Cluny 2, Newcastle

LOS Angeles-based singer-songwriter Sam Outlaw is one of handful of new acts currently turning heads in the Americana world. His album Angeleno, produced by legendary act Ry Cooder, has already given an insight into his worth. They say seeing is, believing, and on viewing Outlaw (his mother’s maiden name) and band member Molly Jensen in the flesh, and armed with their acoustic guitars, there was star quality on stage.

Relaxed throughout, there were entertaining anecdotes about his mid-west roots, LA and songwriting, plus how he feels meeting people face-to-face is still the way to interact. Outlaw has a wonderful country voice steeped at times in a distinctive nasal whine. He is a natural. Jensen adding a terrific part both on guitar and vocally.

As the evening progressed she played a great part on the latter, to the degree it was like they were a real, old-fashioned vocal duo and a fine one at that.

Among the outstanding songs were crowd favourite Jesus Take The Wheel (And Take Me To A Bar), a song about his family in Ghost Town and the one that started off their memorable performance, If It Don’t Kill Me.

They used the audience guinea pig fashion as new songs were tried out, and they too were the business. One was the cleverly entitled She’s Hard To Get Rid Of, and a song about a long-distance relationship before it had even started. Come back soon won’t you

Maurice Hope