There were many lovely moments at Oran Mor on Sunday night. It was there and then I finally got to experience Allison Russell and The Rainbow Coalition live and, if you were in that select audience too, you’ll know experience is the right term for the gig. Allison gives everything to her performance and in that giving there’s a real sense of acknowledgment about the contribution of her band members and a recognition that none of this has happened overnight. That last point, however is, interesting.
Allison has a ton of Grammy nominations as well as several gongs to place on her mantle piece, though her career is moving at such speed, I doubt there will be time to pause and appreciate them all. Reflecting on my earlier comment that none of this happened overnight, it’s plain to see how Allison has been working hard at her music for the last twenty years but also recognise that since she set out on her own for the ‘Outside Child’ album in 2021 her rise to national and international recognition has been meteoric. That’s why it was great that 400 of us got to enjoy an intimate performance at a packed out Oran Mor on Sunday and see at close quarters an artist at the top of her game. When she stopped to reflect how her life and career had taken off with the help of Brandi Carlile a couple of years back Allison told her audience, ‘When someone opens the door you gather up your friends and rush through together.’ That she included her friends says everything about Allison Russell. That she is on the other side of that door is also without question. We’ll play a highlight moment on this week’s show.
Similarly I recall seeing Ashley McBryde back in 3rd and Lindsely in Nashville and having the distinct impression we were part of the lucky few who were witnessing a star on the way up. Last week Ashley played two sold out nights at Glasgow Barrowlands and I hear from our AC reporter, Emma, who was there that the gig had some great moments which made for a Glasgow/Ashley love in.
Elsewhere we’ll introduce you to some fine new things including Our Man In The Field, Loving and the fab Wilder Woods whose current single features our new friends The War and Treaty. There will be plenty familiar names too enjoy and as ever you can join us from five past eight on BBC Radio Scotland FM or on BBC Sounds live and after at a time and place of your own choosing. Either way I’d be grateful for your company.
