A Night on the Town - Hannah Thomas & Amy Rae Both Put on Killer Shows

The Piedmont Chronicles

- est 2010 - 

April 22, 2018

This writer got the opportunity to check out the two fabulous shows last night that I'd previewed in this week's Music Minute. Both were fantastic. 

Hannah Thomas at The Lahrceny 

TPC rolled down Hwy 81 to see our old friend & professional musician Hannah Thomas. I got to check out a full set of Hannah's show & as always I am - was just blown away. The strength, depth & range of her voice is a something to witness, but moreover, it's the power of her voice, both emotionally & sonically, that really sets Ms. Thomas apart from just about any musician I've ever personally witnessed. But, the real tour de force of the Hannah Thomas experience is her guitar playing. Superb technique, especially with her strumming, she creates a masterful sound that is thick & full & very rhythmic that wholly accompanies & complements her vocal work.



And the mastery of her craft & stage presence is simply captivating. To paraphrase an old Country song, when she's performing - she makes you feel what she feels. That is truly a rarity & is proof, in this writer's opinion, that Hannah is just on a higher plane.

As has been written about many times over the years, her career has already been a great success: 

Hannah Thomas has been playing professionally for more than a decade, touring with Indigo Girls and opening for or sharing the stage with Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, Kristian Bush (of Sugarland), Terri Clark, Lydia Loveless, Chely Wright, Michelle Chamuel, Capital Cities, Shawn Mullins, Michelle Malone, Randall Bramblett and more. 

Thomas's various influences can be heard on her new album produced by Lester Nuby III (St. Paul and The Broken Bones) in Birmingham, Alabama. "Fault Line" is her first full-length LP since 2012, spanning the gap between Atlanta's eclectic roots rock revival and the soulful, classic rock sound of Muscle Shoals. Thomas is joined by an all-star band comprised of Brandon Bush on keys (Sugarland/Train), Sadler Vaden on guitar (Drivin N Cryin/Jason Isbell), Jimbo Hart on bass guitar (Jason Isbell) and Chad Gamble on drums (Jason Isbell). The LP includes a song co-written with Michelle Malone. Malone plays lead guitar on that single, alongside Gerry Hansen on drums (Chuck Leavell, Randall Bramblett, Shawn Mullins) and Michael C. Steel on bass (Randall Bramblett). The album also features guest vocals by Terri Clark and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls.

But you just know that the best is yet to come for this supreme talent...

Hannah's most recent album, "Fault Line," is tremendous piece of work. I actually got a copy last night when I had the opportunity to chat with her between sets. As always, she's staying very busy & is splitting her time between the metro ATL & Nashville, TN. A new album is in the works as is a new side project that piqued this writer's curiosity quite a bit - a full-band, Grunge project. Now that sounds pretty cool! Also, for fans in & around the home county, she'll be playing the big 4th of July show on the Covington Square. Very exciting. 

A Wonderful Album!

Visit her webpage & her musician Facebook page to stay up to date on current happenings. 

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Amy Rae Live at The Mystic

Rae's great stage presence complements her wonderful voice

Out on Mystic Grill's incomparable rooftop lounge, Amy Rae, along with collaborators Joe Duke (guitar) & Jonah Meredith (percussion), impressed the patrons with her blend of Country & Rock. Superb sounds, and as always, her wonderful voice.

A full, rich sound by this 3-piece

Learn more about Amy at her website & also at her Facebook page

It was truly a great night of music in the home county. We're all so fortunate to have this wealth of musical riches in our area.

Til next time, friends.

MBM

The Piedmont Chronicles