Sari Schorr/The Fargo Railroad Co. -
Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield, Friday April 14th, 2023
Well we had heard about this venue existing over the recent months since its had host to numerous bands in the last few months. Located in the Neepsend part of Sheffield which leads off after Kelham Island. Its fairly packed when we get there so they've obviously got the word out well for this ahow. Good on 'em.
Set List: Hard Work/Jackie/London Road/Barroom Band/Bought And Sold/Drinking Alone/Vegas.
First up are no strangers to the area who are those local bearded country cookin-up, urban heroes, Fargo Railroad Company. They have a warm loving feel with a kinda organic earthy Eagles vibe to their music and are extremely likeable.
Highlights included the autobiographical 'Barroom Band'; the country coolness of 'Jackie' with its great little solo section or the humorous 'Drinking Alone' with the classic audience participation part. Fargo' are full of smiles, good fun and tight quality performances.
I always think they could be way bigger than they are and need a nice tour support to hit all over the UK and beyond. A fine dose of Americana indeed!
Set List: Freedom/Demolition Man/Ain't Got No Money/My Friend/Coal River/Cat & Mouse/Back To LA/Ordinary Life/Oklahoma/I Just Wanna Make Love To You/Damn The Reason/Black Betty/King Of Rock & Roll/Valentina.
Encore: Suicidal Nation/Beautiful.
Coming all the way from New York City is our headliner tonight, the beautiful Sari Schorr. She graced us with her soulful blues and raw heartfelt emotional songs from the albums 'A Force Of Nature' & 'Never Say Never'.
It was a packed crowd who were very receptive to all of her material with Sari herself saying how pleased she is to be there and what a wonderful audience we were. I think her vocals should have been higher in the mix because it sounded too much on the same level or buried somewhat.
That aside, the lighting was marvellous - nice and bright with the band bang on form and all the members standing out. I even recognise Bassist, Roger Ennis too who has also been treading the boards with When Rivers Meet not too long ago. Gotta say, her voice puts me in mind of Janis Joplin with a touch of Aretha Franklin in there too.
Miss. Schorr has some really good audience interaction going on and makes everyone feel like they are part of the show, even coming into crowd mid song and shaking hands and giving hugs too. There is banter at the front from one loud drunken dude but it's all positive from him as he is a big fan of her. She chats to him from the stage and all are loving the camaraderie that takes place.
There were plenty of powerful songs featured in the show including the bluesy, ballsy, southern tinged opener, 'Freedom' with its almost Gospel like chorus; the emotional balled 'My Friend' and the touching 'Coal River' about a miners life. Another lovely standout was the beautiful 'Ordinary Life' that was originally dedicated to the people of New York City. Tonight it was our turn for the dedication.
I loved the high calibre covers of 'Black Betty' that is slowed down giving a new dimension to the 'Ram Jam' classic and the raunchy 'n' fabulous take of Etta James's 'I Just Wanna Make Love To You'. They went down so well here in Steel City.
Then there was 'Oklahoma' with its 'Light My Fire' (Doors) like melody where she joked about not to go there even though it's her original home according to the song, the stupid cupidness of 'Damn The Reason' with its hard-hitting lyrics relating to mental spousal abusers who as rightly put by the crowd member that they are “Bastards”.
Or how about the epic guitar heavy soloing to be found in 'King Of Rock & Roll' and rocking 'Valentina' that closed the main set with Sari balladeering us with 'Beautiful' as the end number in the encore.
This gig was as soul satisfying as it possibly gets!
By Glenn Milligan