Hayes Carll: Jumpin Hot Club, Cluny2, Newcastle

AFTER a break of eight years, Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll was back in the area, this time with his two-piece band.

Tall and lean with strands of hair falling across his face and acoustic guitar in his hand (exchanged a few times for electric) made known his intentions as early as the first ballad.

Steel guitar, electric guitar and percussion (a single drum and a bunch of tools) ensured the sound was perfect for Texas shuffles and pulsating bar-room fare. Gripping, heartfelt and often funny, he introduced irony as the unit made themselves at home. He started out in venues not unlike the Cluny, and was quick to admit the vibe present was just like back then.

Apart from working various odd venues during his formative days Carll, through tutorship from the likes of adopted Texan Ray Wylie Hubbard, soon learned the finer points of songwriting. As the audience soon realised, he was good learner.

Older material requested by the audience was Hey Where You Been, the terrific fun-loving I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, irony-filled She Left Me For Jesus and, arguably his best song to date, Poet’s Dream enjoyed space alongside Carll’s new work.

We weren’t subjected to a false encore but Carll simply announced before the final song the night was over. Here was the real deal, and a band and leader able to could cut it anywhere.

Maurice Hope