It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a new female solo vocalist that really impressed me. Until now, that is.
I was lucky enough to see 20 year-old country-folk singer/songwriter Lucette (real name Lauren Gillis), who is from Edmonton, Canada, play a support act for The Secret Sisters at The Ruby Lounge, in Manchester a few weeks back. And she blew me away.
I was instantly reminded of Bobbie Gentry and when she did a smouldering cover version of Ryan Adams’s Sweet Carolina, I knew that she had impeccable taste. Another highlight of her set was the moody River Rising, which rolled along on a bed of bluesy piano.
Recorded in Nashville, with producer Dave Cobb (Waylon Jennings and The Secret Sisters) Lucette’s three-track debut EP – Baby I Want You Home – includes gorgeous, 60s-styled, twinkling pop balladry (the title song) and sweet, shuffling back porch country (Dream With Me Dream), but the real surprise is Bobby Reid – a dark and haunting tale of murder and a blood-red river, set to a clanking chain gang rhythm. It has echoes of Bobbie Gentry’s eerie classic Ode To Billie Joe.
Lucette is currently recording new material in Nashville – it will be great to hear what she comes up with. She’s also promised to find some time to do an interview for my blog, so maybe we’ll get an exclusive…. More news soon.
Say It With Garage Flowers 