Melissa Greener is an
American singer songwriter originally from Detroit who certainly puts
in the work and the miles. About ten years ago, while living in a
village in China studying ceramics, she decided that what she really
wanted to do was pursue a career in music. So she headed back to the
States and spent a cold and rather unsuccessful winter busking in
Memphis, or it might have been Nashville. Such are the stories she
tells between her songs that it is hard keeping track of where she's
been and what's she's done. But the music is the important thing.
Dressed in black and accompanying herself on
a black Gibson semi-acoustic guitar most of her set comprised
material from her latest release, Transistor Corazon, and her last
record, Dwellings. Starting with 'My Country Home In Summer Glow'
from the latter, her voice grabbed the attention of not just this
reviewer but everyone in the room. Transistor
Corazon was recorded with a backing band but songs such as 'Ghost
in the Van' and 'Everybody Wants Some' sounded incredibly powerful with
just guitar and voice.
Many of her songs come
from her relentless touring around America and beyond but her home is
in Texas as the songs 'It Gets Harder To Leave Texas Every Time' and
'On My Way Back Home' remind us. We were treated to some covers too
including John Prine's 'Angel from Montgomery', which she
dedicated to any fans of his and Bonnie Raitt, the Jesse Winchester
song 'That's What Makes You Strong' while her beautiful version of
the Beatles number 'If I Fell' concluded her set.
Support came from duo
Luke and Mel who went down pretty well with the Lancashire audience.
Their set included a nice cover of Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire'
though it was a bit disconcerting to hear Mel introduce songs in an
English accent and then sing in an American accent. But I guess
that's par for the course if you're singing Country music. They
joined Melissa for the encore which got the crowd singing along and
rounded off a very enjoyable evening at the Kenlis Arms.
Colin Bertram
20/05/2014
