And it’s certainly not every gig where the artist comes strolling through the assembled throng singing the first track off her debut album followed by two six foot, almost spookily identical twins harmonising along with her. But then it’s not every day you get to see an obscenely talented artist like Jenny Lewis in such a small venue - a chance to watch emerging greatness up close and personal. After that wonderful ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’ opening, we were treated to a complete run-through of that masterful debut. It’s all delivered in the style of a 1920s Deep South gospel revival show, but with a curiously modern sensibility thrown in. The Big Guns showed this former child actress to have not only have a great side of pipes, reminiscent of the late great Patsy Cline - no greater tribute for any female vocalist - but to be a surprisingly good guitarist into the bargain. Rise Up With Fists is as near as Lewis gets to the work she does with her day band and it’s amazing how powerful three voices, two acoustic guitars and a lap steel can be if played with utter conviction. A special mention should go to Chandra and Leigh Watson, who are far more than mere backing vocalists. They may not seem to do much but without their pinpoint harmonies, these songs would have no soul. Jenny rounded things off beautifully with a simply beautiful reading of Rabbit Fur Coat, and you could hear a pin drop as she drove her hurt deep into our hearts.Ìý She denies her work is that autobiographical, but the story of a rag to riches rise told through the metaphor of a rabbit fur coat was clearly her story.Ìý It’s something that Dolly Parton could have written and that isn’t an honour I would easily band about. In an odd age when a pop faker like Katie Manure sells out the Arena, we can only hope that genuine talents like Jenny Lewis find a bigger audience. On this showing, she will and if it is only critical acclaim she wins then she will have won a victory for taste and class. I suspect this gig won’t be bettered all year. The only disappointment was the promised ‘singalongaJenny’ didn’t happen but hey, maybe next time…
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