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Go wild in the country
Nashville comes to Glasgow as the Big Big Country festival dusts down its chaps for the third time.
Words: Kenny Mathieson
Big Big Country rolls around again. and there is no denying that it is bigger than ever. And probably better. too. although the proof of that will only come when the artists start to tread the boards in earnest. The omens look good. though. and if a strong start is always a big asset to any festival. then how about two of the biggest women stars in Nashville’s current firmament'.’
'l‘risha Yearwood's only previous Scottish appearance was as part of the New American Music package with Marty Stuart and Emmylous Harris a couple of years ago. but this time she will headline her own show at the Concert Hall (a distinction shared by Alison Krauss later in the festival). That is an indication of her standing in the country rankings. given that it seems little time since she was being hailed as a promising newcomer.
‘Yeah. it‘s nice not to be the new flavour of the month anymore — that's a real exciting stage of your career that only comes along once. but it is nice to get past it as well. I feel that alter six successful albums the challenge is not just to make something commercial. although that‘s important. but something that will last. that people will want to hear ten years from now. That isn‘t easy. but my aim is to establish myself as an artist of that kind.
‘With the livery/wily Knows album. I started otit
'I don't really like the "star" mindset, and I don't want to pick up the kind of arrogance that people are offended by along the way.’ Suzy Bogguss
Bogguss and Yearwood: giving country a feminine touch
just trying to take it to the next level. but I think it turned into the most balanced album I have made. I spent a lot of time on it. and recorded a lot more songs than I would usually do. just so I could live with them for a while and see what felt right. It's more considered than anything else l‘ve done — the pressure is often to get it done fast. but 1 resisted that for this one.‘
Yearwood is preceded in the festival by another of
the prime movers in the great surge of female country artists in 90s Nashville. Suzy Bogguss. For a while
there. however. it looked as if Bogguss's career
momentum was slipping. Having notched up successful albums on a year by year basis from 1989 until l‘)‘)3. the singer then managed only a collaboration with Chet Atkins in 1994 until the release of Give Me Some i’V/IW’IS last year.
Part of that hiatus was down to her taking time out to have her first child. btit she has acknowledged that she is not as driven by ambition as most of her music business contemporaries.
"l‘here is a side of me that doesn‘t like to take any more responsibility than l have to. I don‘t really like the “star” mindset. and I don‘t want to pick tip the kind of arrogance that people are offended by along the way. I guess I have put some limitations on my career. because I‘m afraid of what I might become ifl got to be that successful. but I do want to live up to my potential. and I'm feeling really good about singing again.‘
These two should get the festival off to a great start. and with Alison Krauss. Roger McGuinn. Dale Watson. The llolmes Brothers and Tim and Mollie ()‘Brien among those still to come. it is shaping up to be another memorable step forward for the event. which runs until 7 June.
Suzy Bogguss, Old Fruitmarket. Glasgow. Wed 28 May; Trisha Yearwood, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Thurs 29 May.
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Quotes which have tickled our fancy and sobered our mood this fortnight.
'He didn't owe nobody no money. That's bullshit. He was just at the party having a good time. He didn't have no threats, no problems at the party, nothing like that. We was driving and I just heard shots behind. BlG's car was behind us.’ Sean Puffy Combs, label boss of Bad Boy Entertainment, describes the last night of Notorious 8/6, the rapper who was gunned down in Los Angeles in March.
’We're more than aware of the concept of a quiet night out.’
Ben Harding, guitarist with 3 Colours Red, at their debut album launch party which featured 5&M merchants, lipstick lesbians and our old acquaintance from last year’s Festival, John Kamikaze, the man who likes to launch fireworks from his arse.
’You know how in certain tribes, they eat the elder's brains so that they inherit his knowledge? Well when these two die, I'm going to eat their breasts so I can inherit their tits.’
Punka Lauren from Keni’ckie describes her idea of the concept of a quiet night in.
‘We got Doctor Martens and I've got Adidas trainers, and I wear both . . . but not at the same time.’ Paul of Manson ponders over the vital footwear question which has split indie kids ever since trainers regained their street cred.
'We got a really weird one on the Internet. It said: "My boyfriend and I would like to have sex with you. He is a miner and he has handcuffs . . . We live in New York.” '
Tim Dorney, keyboard man With Republica, recalls a few fan mails from peep/e who sound as though they might get on well with Mr Molko from Placebo.
'What's the difference between being in a band that used to play King Tut's and being in one that now headlines at the Barrowland?
E Well, I guess that everyone wants to fuck me now.’
Placebo ’5 Brian l‘vlo/ko explains the perks, or otherWise, of the rock star job.
rem May 1997 rucusm