Lindi Ortega live in London
- By Jon Bye -
- Jan 31, 2012
The UK has never been big on country and western, conjuring only the negative images of line dancing in Devon to ‘Achy Breaky Heart’. Yet as UK folk scene fizzles out in a flourish of boredom, the masses turn their cravings elsewhere. Bluegrass is already catching on, is country such a leap?
Lindi Ortega will certainly be hoping not. The country singer from...err…Canada has been touring the UK a great deal recently. With a petite frame and very pretty features, she definitely appears at odds with the crowd of predominantly gruff male punters. However her friendly demeanour throughout the night makes her an instantly likable character.
Of course it’s all about the music, so opener ‘All The Angels’ is an unfortunate starting point in a way. A quaint little number executed impeccably, it’s unfortunately a bland uniform country example. Given this ‘Dying Of Another Broken Heart’ is far more tongue in cheek approach to the typical heartbreak number.
The night proceeds in good humour, with Ortega mixing her naughty and nice side with ‘Bluebird’ providing the sweeter side of country while ‘Little Red Boots’, her signature song, is a far more seedy affair and one for which she will seemingly always need red shoes.
A cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ may not be as gruff as the man in black but certainly packs the spirit while ‘When All The Stars Align’ draws again on the idealism of a country love song. A new number beckons the audience to take Ortega as their new addiction (and many appear tempted) before she rounds off with ‘I’m Not Elvis’ – a poke at what fame and status mean these days.
It's clear that a club like 12 Bar, though quirky enough, is already too small to hold a talent such as Ortega. The only hope is that her performances don’t lose any of their intimacy and character as she climbs up the venue ladder.
By Jon Bye. Tweets at @jonbyehome
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