Sturgill Simpson: Sage Gateshead

SINGER-songwriter, bandleader Sturgill Simpson and his seven-piece band made an impact all right when they graced the Hall 2 stage, and though the full-bodied sound featuring New Orleans horns performed by fine players he stepped a little too far off shore.

Simpson utilised, to the full, his horn section, keyboards, lead guitar (who impressed greatly), bass and drums as he pushed music’s boundaries to the degree, he lost me on occasions. Simpson has deviated from his country origins to become a champion of Memphis soul country, and with three guys from New Orleans in the ensemble there was every chance this music was going to show through. During a jam on stage the meaning of his lyrics were lost, in spite of some excellent electric and bass guitar and a sampling of pedal steel.

Among his finest and best-received songs, from his experimental record A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, there was the pulsating Keep It Between The Lines, and a sensitive version of Kurt Cobain’s In Bloom. Early on, Simpson ran through the Lefty Frizzell classic I Never Walk Around Mirrors without threatening to take the crown away from him, Merle Haggard or Keith Whitley.

The performer lit the flame with Long White Line and Turtles All The Way Down, but there wasn’t enough of of these songs where his diction was as sharp. The debate will continue if this is the way for a man with such a great country voice to progress as an artist.

Maurice Hope