Top performances at County Session

The now regular County Sessions - and the weather - drew gig goers in Chesterfield, all eager to see what the night held before the sun went down.
Jason BarkerJason Barker
Jason Barker

First up was Tom Barnett, who has been gracing Chesterfield’s pubs and venues for a couple of years now with his graceful take on country and folk.

Barnett has a striking element to his performances of Spanish Moon and Come On Up To The House; the ‘strike’ being the odd sense of nostalgia and heartbreak felt when watching him perform.

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The anguish was equally matched with talent, which makes up a very sincere set.

Tom BarnettTom Barnett
Tom Barnett

Jason Barker was up next; and while both he and Barnett were performing solo with their guitars, they couldn’t have been more different.

Barker took on Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark, Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead Or Alive and even Adele, and although he didn’t develop a cockney accent to perform Skyfall, he carried it off seamlessly.

His own Hole In The Sky was great too, Jason is a refreshing watch.

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Out On The Couch could now legitimately be deemed as a ‘County regular’ now, their second performance for the sessions unearthed their sophistication and growing confidence.

Their set was laced with an energetic, rock and roll style; covering Foo Fighters’ Learn To Fly and Babylon by David Gray.

Just a two piece tonight, the lads managed to perform a spectacular set, showing their ever-growing talent.

Finally, Whiskey Bob Shaker took to the stage; the suave songwriter delivered his usual eclectic performance, using everything imaginable to add to his sound.

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Whiskey Bob covers songs in such a unique and original way, he completely makes them his own; he had a go at Tom Petty’s Freefalling and a few Tom Waits covers, as well as his own, beautifully honest songs.

I hope the contenders in the next rounds of the County Sessions are ready to perform exceptionally, because the artists here really raised the bar this week.

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