Review of The Secret Sisters at The Olympia: March 4th 2011.
Review by Vanessa Monaghan
On a mission to become familiar with as much new music as possible in 2011, I headed off to see The Secret Sisters who were opening for Ray LaMontagne in the Olympia Theatre.
Having interviewed the ladies in the afternoon, I was hoping that their bubbly personalities would shine and that the pureness of their vocals would be heard.
I entered the auditorium as the ladies started their first song and it didn’t take the audience long to warm to the Rogers sisters. Beautiful harmonies fill the room accompanied by a single guitar and that’s all they need. Their traditional country sound with these harmonies, echo recordings of the World War 2 era. But even saying that doesn’t to the sisters justice.
At the end of each song, the stage lights are lowered as if to signal the end of a chapter. Laura takes this opportunity to introduce themselves before playing the song ‘Did You Ever Love an Apple’.
Ray LaMontagne’s band The Pyriah Dogs make an appearance, playing on three tracks including the sisters’ first single ‘Big River’ which originally featured Jack White on guitar. The full band sound doesn’t overpower the vocals but sits beautifully complementing them.
On The Secret Sisters debut, there are just two original songs while the rest are covers. They decide to do an original with the full band. ‘River Jordan’ immediately takes them from war era nostalgia to relevant contemporaries. Their Church background shines through with the lyrical content but this track could stand alongside Jewel or Carrie Underwood. The track gets the sign of approval with the audience clapping along.
Eric from The Pyriah Dogs remains on stage to play lap steel for ‘Tennessee Me’ another self penned track. Although the debut maybe dominated by covers, the feedback from the audience to these, show The Secret Sisters have what it takes to go with a fully self penned album next time round.
The girls’ let their personalities shine, although Laura does more chatting than Lydia. She introduces their parents who get a huge cheer. They had surprised their daughters by flying in for the show.
Laura tells the audience that they will be by the merchandise stand after the show to ‘Hug Your Neck, Sign Your CD or whatever.. ‘ Laughs fill the venue before she corrects herself ‘Within reason’.
The girls won over the audience easily and finish their set with ‘Sweet Bye and Bye’ , a timeless gospel tinged song which I can only imagine someone playing on an old guitar as they sit on the porch in an old Western movie.
Amazing performance, beautiful voices, fantastic charisma.. It’s a long time since I’ve heard the audience call for an encore for an opening act. They’re called The Secret Sisters, though they won’t be a secret much longer.