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Hatful of Rain & Zoë Brownrigg

Venue: Prince Albert
Town: Brighton
Date: 30th May
Website: http://www.hatfulofrain.co.uk

This evening was a celebration of the formal release of Hatful of Rain's debut album 'Way On Up The Hill'. Released by Union Store Music, the album and the accompanying video has turned many heads, not least Bob Harris and Mike Harding at Radio 2, creating a palpable excitement around the band at the moment.

Before Hatful of Rain, we are treated to label mate Zoë Brownrigg. Zoë is joined on stage by Sam Allan and treats the audience to a stripped back set that leaves us in no doubt of the beauty of her voice and growing song writing skills. 'Follow Me' & 'Smooth Edged Stone' from debut EP 'Not Once Did I See Your Face' are joined by four new tunes. Zoe's vocal delivery has a certain fragility, that compliments some challenging song construction, but its power is never in doubt. Its lightness of touch on 'Smooth Edged Stone' is a lovely thing. Zoë is definitely an artist to watch out for.

Hatful of Rain fly out of the blocks with the foot stomping 'No Return'. The band, huddled round a single microphone, generate a mass of sound and energy to propel the song forward. However enthralled you are by this chugging rhythm, you cannot help but be amazed at the beautiful vocals that Chloe Overton layers over the top of the music. For a band that show supreme musicianship throughout, Chloe's vocals are their secret weapon; the effortless delivery takes the band to another level - we are talking about that certain something that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

Next up is a waltz, 'Winter Rose' and then comes a tune too new for the album, 'One Promised Land' letting us know that Hatful of Rain have plenty more in the locker.

On 'Strawberry Leaves' Chloe duets with James Shenton, a tune that defies you to not tap your feet, this is the kind of invigorating tune Hatful of Rain seem to turn out for fun; music which makes you smile for its sheer enthusiasm and apparent simplicity. Later in the set 'Whiskey' and 'Rockin' Chair Daddy' have a similar effect. Let me make this clear, there are no fillers in this Hatful of Rain set, but it is these storming tunes that punctuate four moments of brilliance.

'Welcome To The Family' starts with a haunting fiddle and provides us with the first chance to hear Fred Gregory's vocals. This is classic country/folk storytelling in the Steve Earle mode. As soon Fred introduces us to "My brother Billy he could never say no" we know that we are in for the kind of drama that includes killing and heartbreak.

Another new tune, 'Little Bird' is followed by instrumental 'Jerusalem Tart', and then comes 'Exit Song'. For me, on both the album and live, the band have set their stall out with a very high quality product. That said, there are always certain things that push the bar even higher. 'Exit Song' is one of those moments; a beautiful, haunting vocal from Chloe, that silences everyone in the audience, is accompanied with the heart breaking lament, 'cannot force the sun to shine and I can't make you want to be mine'.

The band releases the pressure for a moment with a breathless 'Rockin' Chair Daddy', the charismatic Phil Jones taking his turn to provide the vocals. However we are then back into the intensity of 'Way On Up The Hill' a tune that'll stick around in your mind for days. It is a fitting end to the set and shows another example of the heights Hatful of Rain can reach.

For an encore we hear the band's take on the traditional 'Angeline Baker', where many of us get our first exposure to Flatfoot dancing, and 'Never Hear Me Complain'.

This was a great show from a band on top of their game. They are riding high from a very fine record and such accomplished musicians will always do the songs justice in a live environment. 2012 has already been an exciting year for Hatful of Rain and with this collection of songs, Chloe's voice and the skill and camaraderie present on stage this evening, it is only likely to get better.

Jeremy Verrall
www.someofitistrue.com