Ally Venable – Live – La Belle Angele – noblepr

Review By Darren McIntyre images by Scott Anderson

Ally Venable is singer / guitarist / songwriter from Kilgore, Texas who has been active since 2013, Ally began her journey into the music industry when she began singing in church aged 4, by 12 she had picked up the guitar and by 13 started her own band. Through her early learning of Stevie Ray Vaughan she captivated her passion and a yearning for a deeper blues genre, Ally has given us No Glass Shoes in 2016, Puppet Show in 2018, Texas Honey in 2019, Heart Of Fire in 2021, Real Gone in 2023 and she has just delivered her blistering new album Money & Power earlier this year.

To promote the new record Ally has brought her band to Edinburgh @ La Belle Angele to rock the house, remember Ally was last here in 2019 as part of the Ruf Records Showcase, the place is packed and there is only standing room at the bar lol. Ally saunters onstage dressed in a cool Tartan mini skirt which brings a huge cheer from this capacity crowd as she thanked us for coming out, remember there are 4 other shows in Auld Reekie tonight – Chris Holmes, Dirty Sound Magnet, Spear Of Destiny & Wild Hogs all within 500 yards of each other but we chose to take in the incredible guitar skills of this talented young Texan, the house light & PA fade as Ally launches into –

Penitentiary Philosophy – The track erupts into life as Ally and the boys kick off and really get into it as this six string tornado rips through Edinburgh tonight as we watch in awe. The fingerwork is sublime and is just engrossing to witness that a young, talented six string musician can shred like this and really keep the groove going, the funky low end is wrapping itself around this scintilating opening salvo as Ally warms up the crowd with this epic musicianship that is the perfect way to kick off tonight’s proceedings as we slide into –

Brown Liquor – The rhythm section is commanding the groove as it hits us with punchy snare drum beats that let Ally get this rousing number off the ground as her Texan soaked vocals really give the track attitude and swagger as the boys come through and EJ slams the bassline and really delivers a soulful, meaty groove that fits this crunching arrangement perfectly. The slick, crisp guitar licks are just dazzling us all with their precision and depth as the band have really hit the gas early and are really dropping the hammer as this foot stomping bruiser certainly leaves it’s mark as the place goes nuts for this incredible Texas six string slinger as she thanks us for coming out to support live music, her and her band as we roll into –

Unbreakable – Ally asks us are we ready to hear some blues – rock music tonight and she gets a huge cheer as the band kicks into a crisp, galloping guitar lick that is just on the money. The funking low end is dropping in and really letting us feel the delicious tones that are running freely through the venue tonight, the sizzling guitar work is just off the scale good as Ally stands front and centre and just drops the hammer and socks it to us as we feel the energy oozing from the stage tonight. The punchy, bruising rhythm section is pounding away at the back of the room and really letting the beat control the night and how it flows, the crowd are silent and loving every minute of this colossal, young musician as she shows why she is older than her years with incredible skills that just dazzle Edinburgh tonight, up next –

Steamroller(James Taylor) – The track kicks off with EJ kicking in with a cool, dark, delicious low end that lets Ally set out her stall as she lets her bluesy, rasping vocals lead the charge as this toe tapping blues explosion comes to life. The cool snare drum taps allow the groove to flow as the cymbal snaps let the track open and soar as Ally lets rip with her awesome vocals that just take the track to another level as she cuts loose and begins to shred like there’s no tomorrow just insane, the place is silent as Ally & the boys go about their business as the guitar licks fill the air and just put smiles on people’s faces as I look around and just feel the energy oozing from the stage tonight. The musicality is something else let me tell you as this young firebrand guitarist gives us what we came for tonight as she really cuts the mustard with her awesome fingerwork that lets this track breathe, we are getting a real mixed bag of tracks tonight as Ally and the boys mix it up and take us into –

Texas Louisana – Allt tunes up her guitar and lets the boys take the track down the road as this punchy beast erupts into life as the funking bassline drops in with cool, meaty grooves. The rhythm section is hitting us with sweet, punchy snare drum kicks that are joined by a deep bass kick that really lets this track breathe, the awesome guitar work is just incredible as we watch in awe as the band really settle into their stride and bring us a mesmerising display of Texas blues at it’s finest. Ally is really enjoying herself as she lets rip with a salvo of slick, crisp riffs that are putting a smile on our faces as we sit back and take it all in as the band twists us one way then the next as this epic arrangement really hits the mark as we revel in the quality of guitar work that is on display here tonight, we are whooping and a hollering as Ally tells us she has been so excited to play Edinburgh again as it is such a cool place to come visit, play and really enjoy ourselves so up next comes –

Broken & Blue – A dark, delicious guitar lick wanders freely through the intro as the wah wah pedal comes at us as this epic composition rears it’s head and really grabs our attention. The vocals are heavy with real attitude and bring a ballsy approach to this incredible song as the boys join the party and bring deep, grooving bassline tones that work well with the cool rhythm section that is commanding the room with it’s cool beats and cymbal crashes that are raining down on us. The guitar work is simply exquisite as Ally drifts away and cuts loose as she really brings the blues effect to Auld Reekie tonight with her incredible tone and quick fingerwork that dazzles this sold out audience as we sit back and let ourselves be taken to somewhere new with this awesome sound that is just filling us with so much joy as we stroll into –

Stopper Back Papa – Ally lets the boys bring the track to life with a real sludgy, funking beat that reminds us that we are taken to a blues club and hear this incredible sound for the first time which just stops us in our tracks. The raspy, gritty vocals are flowing effortlessly through the track as we watch in awe as this toe tapping blues explosion take s La Belle to pieces with it’s intense, slick, melodic riffs that are giving us goosebumps, the whole track is just a real funk laden groover track that has a real intense beat, soaring bassline chops and colossal guitar work that is just sheer joy to watch as Ally and the boys bring the heat to us tonight as we get a real walloping from the low end as it hits us time and again with it’s delicious grooves and punchy tones as the rhythm section brings the backup with a solid snare drum kick that allows the track to flow and let us feel the epic guitar work that is on show tonight as Ally shreds like crazy and really elevates tonight’s show to another level with her awesome musicianship that is just wrapping itself around us tonight, up next –

Fire( Jimi Hendrix Experience) – Ally and the boys get us to sing back ‘let me stand next to your fire’ and we duly oblige as this classic track erupts into life as the punchy rhythm section hits us with solid snare drum punches as the bass kicks bring the heat as a cool, funky groove flows from the bass as Ally steps up and just kicks in the doors with her colossal guitar work. The vocals are heavy with intent as she really gets into character with her take on the classic Hendrix number as she steps forward and really slices through the track with her sweet, slick fingerwork that really lets her express herself with her cool, flowing licks that are just awesome and it is very well put together as she stands at the front of the stage and just drops epic licks with a real sultry groove that really let us know that this girl is something else and then some, the place is going nuts as she and the boys let rip and show us what we have been missing the last 6 years as we feel the energy rise in the room. Ally is really taken aback by the huge support and shouting that is coming from us as she can’t believe we feel the love for her, it’s true as we roll into –

Feel That Sting – Ally tells us that this is the first time she has worn a kilt which brings a huge cheer from the sold out crowd as she steps up and brings us a real sludgy, dark, riff that lets the track take shape as Isaac & EJ let rip as the place just goes nuts for this incredible musician as she brings the groove to Edinburgh with ease as the stage is on fire with the electrifying sounds of this young Texas Troubadour. The full on bassline is hitting us with dark, brooding tones that allow Ally to take to another place as she brings the riffs and groove as we feel the energy rise in the room with ease as the punchy rhythm section leans in and brings the beat with a cool, dark bass kick that sets the scene for this gritty rock n roller that has depth, attitude and plenty of guts, as we hurtle through the setlist Ally thanks us for coming out and making her and the boys feel welcome as we stroll into –

Lenny -(Stevie Ray Vaughan) Ally gets ready to take us on this journey as she offloads with incredible guitar licks that silence the crowd as she opens the track with a clean groove. The rhythm section kicks in and brings snare drum taps that work well with the cymbal snaps that fill the air as this colossal track opens and shines, the cool, dark bassline is wrapping itself around this sensational track that has us all standing watching in awe as Ally lets rip with her awesome fingerwork that just pours off the stage as we feel the intensity coming at us from this exciting musician as she chops away with not a care in the world. The place is swaying from side to side as the band is kicking in the doors and giving us what we came for tonight with a real showstopping display of colossal guitar playing that is wrapped in a punchy rhythm section and a dark, brooding low end that is sensational, the people here tonight certainly have been treated to a display of guitar playing at it’s finest with an incredible young musician who certainly knows how to play, entertain and wear a kilt to a Scottish show that really shows she knows her audience, we come to the last track of the evening and I for one am glad I chose to attend tonight as I would have kicked myself if I had missed this young troubadour do her thing and have someone tell me I missed a crackin show, fear not as we have one track left and it comes to us like this – 

Ain’t That A Bitch – Ally steps up and thanks us for comine lets the boys take the lead with a thundering rhythm section that is hitting us with cool, punchy snare drum beats as the dark, delicious bassline wraps itself around the track as Ally lets her rasping vocals do their thing. The crunching toe tapping groove is just reaching fever pitch as the band gel together and feel the tone oozing from each musician as this last funky groove beast leaves it’s mark on Auld Reekie tonight, the place is silent as Ally lets rip with a colossal lick that leads into EJ bringing the low end to us with a real funking groove that has us clapping and dancing around. Isaac leans in and hits us with a thundering beat that showcases his incredible timing, beat and tone as the place is clapping along as we reach fever pitch with this rousing last track that is on fire let me tell you. This has been an incredible night of blues that will be up there with one of my shows of the year.

Ally Venable Band  –

                               Ally Venable  –  Vocals / Guitar

                               EJ Bedford  –  Bass / Backing Vocals

                               Isaac Pulido  –  Drums

Setlist  –

            Penitentiary Philosophy

            Brown Liquor

            Unbreakable

            Steamroller(James Taylor)

            Texas Lousiana

            Broken & Blue

            Stopper Back Papa

            Fire(Jimi Hendrix Experience)

            Feel That Sting

            Lenny(Stevie Ray Vaughan)

            Ain’t That A Bitch