Having already recorded and released one of the most beautiful songs of the year so far (March’s If I Told) Courtney Marie Andrews returns with another extraordinarily gorgeous piece of music. Burlap String was written for what Courtney describes as one of the great loves of her own lifetime. “I reckon with grief in this love story, wishing things could’ve gone differently. This song is very special to me, and I hope it is for you too,” she says. It seems that whatever happens with Courtney’s personal life, her music can do no wrong. As always her vocal possesses a vulnerability and sadness: “I’m a sceptic of love,” she sings; you’ll probably find yourself wilting immediately. It’s heart-breaking but oddly comforting and necessary as well. The video for the song was shot in Arizona at a place called Young Blood Hill. The end of the video finds Courtney placing flowers on a memorial to two of her musician friends, Derrick and Amy who died unexpectedly within 24 hours of each other. Courtney’s next album Old Flowers will be released on the 5th June and I’m already sensing that 2020 could be a good year for acoustic singer songwriters with Laura Marling having already delivered a wonderful piece of work that feels like a Mercury Prize nominee / end of year list possibility. Courtney could easily be next (for end of year lists anyway - she won't qualify for the Mercury). Did I say this was gorgeous? Well sometimes a message is worth repeating. Courtney Marie Andrews - Burlap String
I’ve made no secret of my love for Courtney Marie Andrew’s latest album, the divine May Your Kindness Remain. Ten songs of showstopping country / soul beauty that are delivered with an empathy and truthfulness that show that not every form of art has to be progressive if it’s done with skill. Today, following some recent UK dates, Courtney has released a new song that could have very well fitted on that record. However, this is no throwaway out-take but another genuine piece of brilliance that once again finds singing Courtney singing her heart out. Heart and Mind was written after the Women’s March in 2016 and around the time it was revealed that amongst the many hurtful things Donald Trump has said he had made some gross comments about women and the way he treated them. “It reminded me of all the times I, or someone close to me, had been harassed, sexually abused, cat-called or body shamed. The song is intended to empower, and to conquer our demons,” Courtney has said. It’s a striking piece of work. Doleful guitars create the canvas for Courtney to paint her striking voice over the top – if the wind is blowing outside listen to the way even that drops – this is a song to silence everything. The video is a compilation that Courtney put together of mother and daughters from all around the world to celebrate the bond between the two. Fun fact: I’ve mentioned this before but Courtney’s voice reminds me a lot of Maria McKee, the ex Lone Justice singer. If you’ve never heard of Maria take a listen to her solo song Nobody’s Child (click here to listen on Spotify), which has a similar ambience to Heart and Mind and then listen to the whole of her self-titled debut. And if you haven’t listened to May Your Kindness Remain yet, make sure your put that on your list as well. Courtney Marie Andres - Heart and Mind (Video)
If there’s one thing there’s not enough of, that there really should be more of, is weekend matinee gigs. Have a nice spot of lunch before, stroll down to the venue, enjoy some live music without having to worry if you’re going to cut it too fine and miss the last train home and be home in time for tea – ready for either a night in relaxing and an early night, or going out again to do something else. Maybe even another gig. Sadly, in all of my gig going years, having seen thousands of bands live, outside of festivals and record shop in-stores I think I’ve only ever been to two matinee shows. This weekend I’ll be making it a third with Courtney Marie Andrews. Andrews has already placed herself firmly in my musical affections with her previous gospel tinged song May Your Kindness Remain (posted here) and now the caring theme continues, this time with Kindness of Strangers, a song that came from the idea that sometimes when you’re feeling low, a few simple words or a nice action from another human being can mean everything. It’s pretty simple really isn’t it? Just be nice to people and the world will be a much better place. I’ve already written about how Courtney’s new material reminds me of some of Maria Mckee’s work and this song with the soulful backing vocals and piano in amongst the country guitars does the same. Then of course there’s her voice; strong, commanding and full of emotional clout. The new album seems to be shaping up very nicely and it should be a pleasure to see her in a tiny pub mid-afternoon this weekend. (Both of her Guildford shows, matinee and daytime are sold out, but she returns to the UK this spring for a larger tour in bigger venues). Courtney Marie Andrews - Kindness Of Strangers
I first came across the music of Courtney Marie Andrews early last year when Leigh from Just Music I Like Blog (R.I.P – the blog, not Leigh) recommended her Honest Life album to me. If I remember correctly Leigh had bought the vinyl in Resident Music in Brighton simply because he liked the very sixties styled cover and the write up that was posted with the record in the shop. Upon listening, I found I enjoyed the songs but as a complete album it didn’t blow me away. Perhaps Andrews’ acoustic country sounds, whilst lovely, were just a bit too samey over the course of a whole record for me. However, the title track from Andrews’ forthcoming long-player May Your Kindness Remain, which premiered on NPR Music today, is a revelation and leads me to completely reappraise her work. For this is stunning. Here Andrews steps out beyond just simple country music to something bigger, bolder, warmer and more soulful. It reminds me in places of ex-Lone Justice lead singer Maria McKee’s more mellow songs on her solo self-titled album, particularly with the touches of bombastic gospel that punctuate the latter part of the song (or maybe it’s just because she sings of ‘a good heart’ – the tune that McKee wrote and Undertones man Feargal Sharkey had a UK no.1 with) In a world that seems harsher and ever more judgemental than before, Andrews takes a step back with this piece of powerful beauty and offers a simple antidote to the subject of her song: “If your money runs out and your good looks fade, may your kindness remain.” She’s right of course. Being nice to people is actually far more important and will make you much more content than what culture tends to push down our throats as 'success', namely monetary gain, physical perfection and attaining status. Courtney Marie Andrews plays a handful of shows in the UK in a few weeks time (Glasgow on the 31st Jan, Oxford 3rd Feb and a 2 tiny pub shows in Guildford (one of which is a matinee show and still has a handful of tickets left), then heads over to the US before returning to the UK in April for a larger tour. The album May Your Kindness Remain is due March 23rd and can be pre-ordered from her Bandcamp by clicking here. Courtney Marie Andrews - May Your Kindness Remain
