Hiss Golden Messenger

Thursday 12th February. Bush Hall. Hiss Golden Messenger. After a nightmare two hour drive to the ‘bush’ there’s little time for drinks and pleasantries and we’re off the venue. Support is provided by multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook who has played on recent albums by Matthew E White, Kathleen Edwards and Bon Iver and we catch the last twenty minutes of his set. Its impressive stuff although somewhat disconcerting as he is the spit image of Gary Louris.

We saw MC Taylor (aka Hiss Golden Messenger) solo acoustic last year and it was a moving, atmospheric set. Tonight he’s plugged in with a full band with Phil Cook sitting in on guitar and organ. The lights dim and we hear a quiet acoustic guitar and voices coming from the back of the hall. The audience turn as one to find the band in a corner at the back opening with ‘Brother do you know the Road’ that until this week had no physical album to sit on. They walk through the crowd to the stage, playing and harmonising and continue seamlessly with the song while plugging in not missing a beat to crank it up and jam out for a full ten minutes. It’s a nice trick and one of the best openings of a gig I have seen for ages.

What follows is 100 minutes of country rhythm n blues, if there is such a genre, from a tight band with tracks largely culled from their latest album. The songs are transformed from the album with an energy you get from ‘plugging in’ with many extended grooves. Phil Cook really is a talented musician both on the slide guitar and the organ and he provides the perfect accompaniment to Mr Taylor. MC reminds me from his mannerisms down to his white telecaster of one of my all time favourite artists Chuck Prophet and thats high praise from me.

The songs are punctuated with asides and anecdotes, a pop quiz and almost a Skynyrd tribute. It’s difficult to pick a favourite tonight but Southern Grammar and Mahogany Dread do stand out. They’re back on just before curfew to run through a Waylon Jennings cover. At the end of the song MC singles me out in the crowd (hey you the guy in the checked shirt) to advise the gathering that they will be reconvening next to me for their final unplugged sing-along ‘Drum’ performed in the round.

It’s a fitting end to a perfect night for a performer at the top of his game in amongst the crowd with us hardy souls providing backup vocals to him and the band. Next up Ryan Adams and he’s got his work cut out to top tonight.

Wednesday 29th August, Islington Assembly Hall London, His Golden Messenger. After a hop skip and a jump across from Hackney and the thundering White Denim we arrive with plenty of time for something a little rootsier.
Hiss Golden Messenger led by Mike ‘MC’ Taylor hail from Durham, North Carolina and tonight he is joined on stage by arguably the finest incarnation of the band with Brad and Matt driving the rhythm and the multi-talented Phil Cook on lead electric guitar, acoustic, harp and anything else he could probably turn his musical hand to.

I have reviewed HGM a few times before and they never fail to impress. Despite Mike’s protestations he is a fine songwriter sharing his thoughts about those things that matter, love, life and everything. And with this band behind him it all seems so effortless.
The set tonight is drawn in the main from his last album the excellent ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’ and a bunch of new songs which they are about to record all of which hold up with the reminder of the catalogue.

There’s a great mix of light and shade switching between electric and acoustic throughout the night but sometimes the constant retuning between songs does break the rhythm and flow of the night. That gripe aside there’s room tonight for my favourites ‘Jenny of the Roses’ ‘Jesus shot me in the head’ and the funky ‘Southern Grammar’.

There’s ample opportunity on the electric numbers for both MC and especially Phil to show they really have the licks playing off each other like a folky roots Richards and Wood. (Ed’s note. Checkout Phil Cooks solo stuff and his excellent new gospelly ‘People are my Drug’).

It’s a perfect way to end a fun night bringing it down a notch from the raucous White Denim. Two bands, two venues, two contrasting but in the quality of music similar shows

Until the next time keep on rockin y’all

I can definitely get behind the way that someone plays guitar, in a way that’s not just strumming chords with a plectrum but really going all out and doing something a little different. “Southern Grammar” is a song that does that for me. Hiss Golden Messenger, plays and sings with a Deep South American drawl of an accent, on his orchestral model acoustic guitar, which is a shape of a guitar that was originally used to play bluegrass music. There is a captivating honesty about his voice that definitely draws you into his lyrics, which are worth listening to again after the first time. His music is definitely more on the minor side of composition with hooks and melodies that paint the picture of darker lyrics, but as a musician, you can definitely appreciate M.C Taylors brainchild, that is Hiss Golden Messenger, which he has been doing for the last five years releasing five albums in the process. Definitely worth a watch if he comes to a town near you.

AWESOME!!!

2 hours lost to the rollicking gospel blues groove experince that is Hgm. From the Ry Cooderesqe opening of the annoyingly talented Phil Cook through to the post curfew set closing acoustic singalong (with band in the middle of the crowd) the pace or the joy never let up. lateness of Dancers almost knophlereque and pleasantly laid back country alt rock is interpreted here as a joyous snarling behemoth of ry rythem driven country boogie funk. Each element of the o so tight band shines, but as MC Taylor asserted these guys can swing and groove. As I was lucky enough to be met the guys post gig I was able to (hopefully) compliment them with a comparison to a young and vibrant NY and Crazy horse with all the fun and no excesses. Unbelievable evening and next time I'll bring every friend I have

Amazing show! MC Taylor and Phil Cook's chemistry was a highlight of course, but it would be a crime not to applaud the entire wildly talented 9 piece outfit that brought down the house with funky, bluesy, folksy, soulful music for hours. Would highly recommend seeing them to anyone who likes any music at all, honestly, given their propensity to blend genres in an apparent quest to find exactly the sound demanded of each beautifully written lyrical masterpiece. Even got to meet MC Taylor and Phil Cook after the show, who could not have been more down to earth and grateful to be living the lives their living. Wonderful people, wonderful music -- gotta love Hiss!

How this talent has flown under the radar for so long is beyond me, but I'm happy I was fortunate enough to stumble across his music a year or so ago. Absolutely one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. What translates so beautifully on record is amplified in his performance. An amazing experience. A big thank you to the artist.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Hiss. In the later part of the concert M.C. Taylor jumped down into the audience playing a tambourine, and ended up right beside me. There were many highlights, but most memorable was a cover of Neil young's "Motion Pictures."

Such a great show. This was the first time I’d seen them and they did not disappoint. Lily Hiatt opened up and was great as well. Even better, they came out after the show for meet and greet!

A beautiful magical solo show by AC Taylor. So many great songs sung but 'Caledonia, My Love' was my stand out favourite! He was as always funny and warm between songs. Will be seeing him again!

A huge talent with a hugely talented band, dedicated to their product. Fabulous songwriting...they played all in for a small show on a great Sunday night, always love Neighborhood Theater.