Hannah Aldridge – Live – The Tollbooth – scary biscuits promotions

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

Hannah Aldridge is a celebrated Dark Country / Americana singer from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA. Hannah is the daughter of American Hall Of Famer Walt Aldridge so she comes from a great pedigree of talent that is for sure. Hannah burst onto the music scene in 2011 with her debut EP Wanderer, since then we have had Razor Wire in 2014, Gold Rush in 2017 and recently we have had Live In Black & White.Hannah comes from very good stock as she is the daughter of American Hall Of Famer Walt Aldridge, it has been a couple of years since I last sat with and chatted to Hannah with one thing and another. Hannah is back on the road and has been out across Europe and has been back on our shores for a couple of dated and tonight the Queen Of Southern Gothic brings her electrifying full band to The Tolbooth in Stirling to dazzle us with her soulful lyrics and fantastic stories from the road. Please join me as I take in this epic show that will surely gather her more fans from the UK, the venue is a little gem with awesome sound and great acoustics. I had a chance to catch up with Hannah before the show and you can catch the video on Facebook, YouTube as we chat all things music, family and future commitments, the place is filling up nicely as Hannah and her band hit the stage to rapturous applause as we dive straight into –

Aftermath – A punchy snare drum beat rings out through the venue as a cool, slick, datk guitar lick oozes from the stage as the funking bassline drops in and really gives this track a cool, melodic feel. Hannah leans in and strums heavily on her acoustic guitar as her incredible, sultry vocals lead the charge as this toe tapping groover is brought to life with a full band production that is just awesome, the songs are booming at us and really showcases the incredible tone that Hannah posesses as the band join her with sweet, mellow backing vocals that let us feel the depth, emotion and where she gets her incredible lyrics that bring this awesome piece of music to life as the dark, brooding vocals fill every corner of the venue as the place takes this musician to their hearts as she takes us on the journey with her and the band as we get to grips with a full band rock n roll show that just ticks all the boxes for sure, the audience shows their appreciation as we clap loudly and really make her feel welcome, Hannah thanks us for showing her and the band some love as we stroll into –

I Know Too Muxh – The track erupts into life as furious strumming chords pour from the stage as Daniel leans in and hits us with a cool, solid punchy snare drum beat that really lets the track flow. The soothing, vocals are coming at us and really getting the crowd involved with this rather fine musician as she delivers a well thought out gig that takes us back in time as she rolls through the years with a real mxture of her back catalogue. The low end comes through and hits us with soulful, melodic grooves as Katie provides sweet, mellow backing vocals as the rasping electric guitar licks wander effortlessly through the track and instantly give it a real beefed up sound as Andrew stomps around the stage and gives us a slick, clean sound that really elevates this rather intimate show that really lets Hannah deliver a night of dark Americana music that just grabs our attention, we get some chat from Hannah as she says the band and her wandered around the town and saw some stunning architecture that was just incredible as she leads onto the classic –

Portrait Of The Artist As A Middle aged Man – The snare drum taps combine with cymbal taps that let Hannah bring her southern drawl tones that set the scene as this slow paced dark track oozes from the stage. The arrangement really pops as the low end leans in and hits us with a real soulful groove that wraps itself around this epic piece of music, the cool, light guitar picks are flowing freely through the track as the rhythm section builds and builds as the snare drum beats fill the air as this melodic number grabs our attention as the tempo changes pace and really lets the deep, dark, southern vocals leave their mark on the fine folk of Stirling tonight. The toe tapping beat really allows the track to tell it’s own story as the groove builds and builds as the band really deliver a slick, clean beat that just tells us that Hannah and the band are firing on all cylinders, the place shows it’s appreciation for this celebrated Americana star who really puts on a show and then some. Andrew steps forward and sizzles with aclean, sharp solo that packs a punch as we roll into –

You Ain’t Worth The Fight – The tempo comes at us with a real gritty groove as the pounding snare drum beats let the rhythm section command the track as the bass kicks get the place rocking. The smouldering vocals come at us with a real dark, mellow tone that sees Hannah strumming heavily on her guitar as the band really hits the ground running, the crisp, clean electric guitar riffs are letting the groove flow freely through the venue as Andrew brings the sizzle. Hannah asks us to join in with You Ain’t Worth The Fight as we reply and help the guys bring the track to us, we have a meaty, funk laden low end that is dropping epic tones that really let the track breath as we slip into –

Dorero – Hannah brings the track to life with her incredible vocals as the strumming tones fill the air as the killer low end hits us with real dark, brooding grooves that just set the tone. The snare drum kicks are letting the rhythm section drive the track onwards as the band settles in and really gets us focused on the evenings entertainment as we are fixed on the stage as a delicious vocals wraps itself around us and really tells us that it’s been way to long since Hannah brought the dark, soulful lyrics to the fine people of Scotland. The crowd look like they are really enjoying themselves as they sit and fix their gaze on the stage as Hannah lets het powering, soulful vocals take the track onwards as we feel the emotion, and attitude ease from the stage as we roll into –

Beautiful Oblivion – We have Hannah & Katie on stage as Katie takes on guitar duties as the stack oozes quality and has a mesmerising tone that really grabs our attention as this incredible arrangement takes our breath away. The soulful vocals are just grabbing at your heartstrings as the whole piece really takes us on the journey as we are getting powering lyrics that just immerse you in the world of Hannah Aldridge as she captivates us with her direction, depth and downright effortless vocals that are flowing freely through the venue as Katie brings her smouldering tones that just elevate this track somewhat as we lose ourselves as we float away with Hannah & Katie as this acoustic laden number really lets us feel the emotion oozing through the venue tonight as Hannah lets his colossal dark vocals tell the story as Katie comes in with fantastic backing vocals that just wrap themselves around us tonight. This is one of those tracks that just stops us in our tracks as Katie delivers the final guitar picks that lead us into –

Yankee Bank – Soothing acoustic strumming tones ooze from the stage as Hannah lets her smouldering, melodic vocals lead the charge as this cool anthemic track wraps itself around us as Katie again brings the electric tones that accompany this terrific number. The arrangement is a real soothing, blues, country number that allows us to be taken on the journey as the girls command the stage with their colossal tones that let us feel the emotion pouring through The Tolbooth tonight. The crowd are really enjoying themselves tonight as their is a different take on how Hannah usually does her show and I must say that this is a real welcome addition to her repertoire, we have been taken through the catalogue of Hannah’s songs that are personal, touching and really heartfelt which is a joy to watch, we get something a little different as Hannah brings us a couple of new numbers that will hopefully lead to some new material in the near future, the boys leave the stage as Hannah introduces us to –

Birds In Paradise – Sweet acoustic strumming chords ease in as Hannah lets hir incredible vocals fill every corner of this fine room tonight. Katie drops in with incredible bassline tones that really give this arrangement depth, attitude and emotion as the lyrics really wrap themselves around us as the two girls really get into this fantastic new number. Katie stands over the piano as she delivers wholesome tones that just allow the track to take us on the journey with them as they leave their mark on us tonight. The lyrics pull on the heartstrings as we sit silently and rightly so, it is a nice way to bring some new tunes to her electric set that tells us she is busy writing and getting her creative juices flowing which is just awesome, up next comes another track in the form of –

Babylon – Hannah strums lightly on her guitar as her smouldering, melodic vocals let this track break free and let us feel the emotion pouring from the stage tonight. Katie leans in and brings sweet, mellow guitar picks that just gives us goosebumps as the twin vocals really capture the whole meaning of this superstar Americana artist, the lyrics instantly grab your attention as we float away in this colossal piece that really lets us feel pure emotion coming at us as the crisp, clean guitar tones ripple through the track and just stop us in our tracks as this piece just tells it’s own story. Katie comes in with sweet, crisp chords that just allow Hannah to reach out and deliver a real deep, wholesome arrangement, Hannah & Katie are about to leave the stage when she says ‘Boys stay right there as I have something else to do’, Katie stays as Hannah tells us that she is bringing us another track but it is for someone special, she asks where is Darren – I wave and she says this one’s for you, I will say that Hannah is not only an incredible musician but is also a friend who I hold very dear to my heart. I sit silent and listen to Hannah bringing my song to life we await her instruction as she says I thought he would ask for an uplifting track but instead chose –

Lace – Hannah tunes the guitar as she tells us about her upbringing and what she is all about in her thoughts as we let her tell us about a witch with posession issues and the track bursts into life with dark, brooding strums that let Hannah unleash her powering vocals that have us all sitting in silence as she tells the story that I have just come to know and love. The story grabs your attention as the awesome lyrics wrap themselves around us and keep us deep in the story as the sweet chords do their thing as we watch in awe as the story unfolds and really sucks us in for sure. The track is just incredible as the vocals go up a notch and really fill every corner of this incredible venue as I am sitting alone in my thoughts and thinking about my future and how this track really defines my thoughts and feelings as I navigate through my own life, I really appreciate her dedicating a track to me as it means so much that she even thought to include me in her thoughts, the boys return and normal business is resumed as we stroll into –

Some Ghosts Don’t Make A Sound – A murder song that just rises up and lets the cool strumming chords lead the charge as a cool, meaty low end groove rolls through the intro. The rhythm section comes in and hits us with a cool bass kick that lets the cymbal crashes rain down on us as the soulful track grabs our attention as the band brings their voices as they deliver cool tones that give this track a cool foot stomping, punchy beat lets Hannah bring her mellow, gravelly vocals that tell their own story as we nod our heads and feel the energy rolling through the venue as we feel the band shift through the gears and really give us a gig that we will talk about for a long time to come. I will say that it will be one of my ‘Small Gigs Of The Year ‘ for sure as this girl is something special for sure, we come to another of my favourite tracks in the form of –

Howlin Bones – A crunching, slick guitar riff wanders freely through the intro as the rhythm section kicks in the doors and hits us with a pounding snare drum beat as the cymbal snaps let the groove cut loose. The soaring, dark, melodic vocals ease into the track as Hannah and the band shift through the gears and give us a real sludgy, dark arrangement that grabs your attention as it slowly builds and builds as a clean guitar solo ripples through the track as Katie leans in with her deep, delicious low end that just wraps itself around this foot stomping rocker track that has us singing along and feeling the warmth, depth, emotion coming at us as the band race through the setlist and get us nearing the end of this colossal show that has given me goosebumps for sure, Hannah than chats about Jackson and how he is off to college and starting a new chapter and that gives Hannah more time to get back into her spiritual groove and write and record some new music which brings a cheer from the crowd, we roll into the incredible –

Black & White – Hannah gets the arrangement moving with a real cool strumming tone that allows her to bring her incredible, dark, soothing vocals to this fantastic track. We have cymbal taps that let the rhythm section lean in as Katie drops sultry, delicious basslines that just wrap themselves around this real emotion filled number as Andrew brings slick, crisp guitar licks that echo all around us as we settle into the mesmerising vocals that accompany this crowd favourite that really draws you in and lets you feel the journey with Hannah and the band. The story is just phenomenal as the band gels together so well and remember this is only Andrew’s second show of the tour, incredible, he shows his mettle with an array of crisp, awesome tones that really let the track breathe as the snare drum kicks really give the rhythm section depth, swagger and bags of attitude as this incredible night of Dark Americana / Country music just takes us on the journey, we are easing through the track with an incredible guitar solo that stops us in our tracks as Andrew stoats around the stage and just drops chop after chop of delicious licks that really give this track a backbone as Hannah furiously strums on her acoustic guitar as this bruiser leaves us wanting more, next –

Burning Down Birmingham – Hannah kicks off the track with soft, melodic strumming chords as she asks us to sing along to the chorus to get the track off the ground.Piano tones are littered throughout the arrangement as the rhythm section brings the heat with punchy snare drum beats that let the bass kicks fill the air as this soulful, brooding beast flows effortlessly through the venue as Andrew slips in and brings the sparkle with slick, clean licks that give this track a real edgy, funky groove. The track is a real thought provoking number as Hannah really brings the depth with her asonishing vocals that just wrap themselves around us as the chorus lingers in the background as the crowd join in as the sweet, clean acoustic srums give the track body as the soulful tones flow through the song as the crowd really joins in and takes the track on wards. The low end is dropping in and hitting us with a real funky, dark groove that just allows the track to flow and let us feel the love as we roll into the second but last track –

Dark Hearted Woman / Night Of The Vampire – The track kcks off with a nice, cool guitar pick that lets Hannah lean in and bring her roaring vocals to The Tolbooth tonight. The rhythm section kicks in the doors with a real solid, meaty snare drum beat as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as we let the crunching, mellow guitar licks stop us in our fracks as this colossal number shifts through the gears and really delivers something special. The dark, brooding low end comes at us with a cool, funky tone that fits the arrangement perfectly, the soaring, smooth, melodic vocals are filling every corner of the room as the track switches groove and leads us into the finishing track of the evening as a rasping, gritty guitar riffs give this track real attitude as the band gives it their all in this finishing salvo that is just the perfect way to end a Hannah Aldridge show with a real gutsy, rasping vocal that shines in all it’s glory tonight. The band looks particularly spooky with their dark cloaks on to celebrate halloween as the end track ripple through the auditorium as the soulful vocals combine with a cool strumming guitar lick that really lets this track grow as we are just enjoying the night, we have been thoroughly entertained by this incredible musician who really knows her stuff.

Hannah Aldridge is a Dark Americana / Country superstar who begins her story and manages to drag you into her journey to feel the emotion and depth that she takes us to. The band really played their part in this incredible night of music that will live with us for some time to come.

Hannah Aldridge –

Hannah Aldridge – Vocals / Acoustic Guitar

Andrew Lachey – Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals

Katie Bates – Bass / Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals

Daniel Juter – Drums

Setlist –

Aftermath

I Know Too Much

Portrait Of The Artist As A Middle Aged Man

You Ain’t Worth The Fight

Dorero

Beautiful