The obvious place to hear two genuine Nashville country singers: an old indoor market in Hove..!?  The Old Market Theatre is a small, modest venue, replete this evening with candlelit tables, and having tonight's theme set with a background "disco" of folk and country songs.  The opening artist  Paul Burch provides an impressive acoustic set of Hank Williams inspired tunes that could have been written, recorded or performed in any year since the nineteen twenties, but were nevertheless an ideal introduction to Laura Cantrell's set.  During the support slot, those present were teased with a brief appearance from Laura as Paul Burch's backing vocalist.  Not long after that, Laura and her skilled backing band take to the stage for an hour and a half of well-performed traditional and original country songs.

On paper, Laura Cantrell's band seem a strange collection of individuals: her regular pedal steel guitar/twelve string electric guitar/ukulele player was accompanied by two session musicians from Bath and the Teenage Fanclub's drummer (the boss of her UK record label, Spit and Polish), but any reservations are soon overcome on hearing how well they all know Laura's songs.  This is a night of no fancy mixing tricks, no elaborate effects and not one instrument without a set of strings (drums aside, of course) - just good, well-played songs that make you wish you were actually listening to them in a Tennessee bar, instead of rainy East Sussex.  The tables directly in front of the stage are somewhat restrictive for any audience participation, but most seem content to happily toe tap and clap in between songs.  Laura looks slightly wary of the audience's understated reactions, but relaxes when one fan explains to her that "we're English"!

Laura Cantrell's songs and vocals in particular are often compared to Dolly Parton's, but there is a fallibility about Laura's voice that appeals to music lovers, rather than putting them off as would probably be expected.  That frailness in her singing makes it seem as if you could be listening to a shy, first time singer anywhere in the States, and it's that unspoilt essence that makes her music sound so open, honest and fresh.  Although songs similar to these have existed for decades, you feels as if it's the first time you've ever really heard country music.  You've never truly heard a pedal steel guitar until you've been there to watch someone playing it live: Jon Graboff may look as if he's sat there studying a collection of stamps, but the harmonies and melodies he soothes out of his instrument are utterly gorgeous and compelling.

Laura's well-arranged songs are complemented by her polite in-between song banter, telling the audience tales of her songwriting girlfriends as well as the stories behind her song lyrics.  Although quietly spoken, her loquaciousness when introducing each song highlights another of her skills as a radio presenter.  She satisfies the audience by quickly having "band conferences" and responding to the small crowd's impromptu requests for songs, and in our own, understated way we all made her feel welcome.  Highlights include the plaintive, honest 'The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter', a beefed-up 'Not The Tremblin' Kind' (courtesy of a rock guitar middle instrumental), 'Pile Of Woe', 'Wait' and the latest album's opener 'Too Late For Tonight' - although it's impossible to fault the musicianship on any of the set.

All but a few songs from both Laura Cantrell albums are played in a truly magical evening, far, far removed from the pop, rock and indie gigs I've attended in the past.

Review: Andrew Morrison