Nikki Talley is many things — a descendent of Carolina mountain musicians, according to her website, a "country, folk, sultry, goth and that hippie-chick from the South," a multi-instrumentalist and a wearer (lately) of face paint. One thing she isn't: afraid of the microphone. Talley has undeniable stage presence, which she showcased at a recent — and packed — Jack of the Wood performance.
It was actually Christmas Jam weekend, a testosterone-fueled occasion, and the bar was not short of beer-guzzling, flannel-wearing men. Flanked by her band (Talley's husband, Jason Sharp on guitar; bassist Bryan White from Bushfire Stankgrass and Leigh Glass Band; drummer Richard Faulk of the Honeycutters), Talley held her own, growling the low notes of "Santa Fe" from her new release, Beautiful Charmer.
A song about cheating lovers took a slower turn. A strong beat served as the base for Talley's aching vocal — her conviction and powerful voice reminding a bit of an "I Can't Make You Love Me"-era Bonnie Raitt. That song was followed by one Talley introduced with, "This song is so new I don't know all the words to it, so I'm doing what I've always hate seeing other people do … " But far from halting and incomplete, the song took off at a 4/4 gallop, increasing in its ferocity during instrumental breaks. Dancers broke out their clogging moves. Talley channeled Stevie Nicks, swirling her long skirt and hair.
The band never missed a beat, transitioning from slow burners to blues rockers to the road-house-y country that Talley does so well, her sweet voice dipping into a snarl. A beefy, rugged guy pushed away his pint glass and started dancing, telling his friends, "That's awesome. I can't wait to buy this CD."
During a song about a California rodeo (Western motifs often make their way into Talley's music), the singer demonstrated a huge range, abandoning her bluesy low notes for her soaring upper register. A few times she rolled her eyes at a high note, but she never slipped from key.
Talley demonstrated a knack for arrangements with the gospel tune "Wayfaring Stranger," piling on country affect and vocal acrobatics. But the slinky beat added both levity and funk, and the band pulled it off. Likewise, a slow and wrenching cover of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May," in lesser hands, could have been a train wreck. Earnest and emotive, it edged toward cloying, but the rich warmth of Talley's voice was so genuine and the band played with such sure-footed tenderness that the audience had little choice but to enjoy the outcome.
Ultimately, Talley is wholly likable. Her songs are solid, her writing is dependably good, and even if a listener isn't a fan of country music, Talley's band provides such a solid delivery that it's hard not to get swept in the feel-good Friday night-ness of it all.
Learn more and find show dates at nikkitalley.com.
I was at this show and Nikki really blew me away! Her range is incredible and she is a true showperson!!! Next time I’m in Asheville I hope to see her, altough at that point maybe she’ll be touring to the Philly area?
Dave Harris