Annie Clements Music

Sugarland Sparkles with Help from Locals at Jazz Fest

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by annie in Media

by Keith Spera | The Times-Picayune | Friday May 01, 2009
Strip away the lights and videos that normally accompany an arena act and all that’s left are songs and musicianship — or the lack thereof. Sugarland has both in spades, as evidenced during Friday’s closing set at Jazz Fest on the Acura Stage.

They were this year’s designated country headliner, despite a decidedly mixed pedigree. Sugarland principal Kristian Bush’s background is as an Atlanta singer-songwriter. Long before Sugarland, he toured with a folk-rock band called Billy Pilgrim. Sugarland’s keyboardist is Kristian’s brother Brandon Bush, recently recruited from the pop rock band Train. And Sugarland employs a New Orleans, rather than a Nashville, rhythm section: Bassist Annie Clements, daughter of Twangorama guitarist Cranston Clements, and former Better Than Ezra drummer Travis McNabb, who also spent time with Billy Pilgrim.

Their most obvious, and undeniable, country connection is Jennifer Nettles’ sassy, brassy twang of a voice. She brought it to bear with a presentation and attitude that was equal parts sexy and strong. She wore a tight white shirt, short shorts — and motorcycle, rather than cowboy, boots. Skulls and crossbones decorated her guitar strap. And she knows her away around a guitar and, as demonstrated during “Blood On Snow,” an electric bass.

Bush and Nettles played up their rhythm section’s hometown roots. Showcasing a sturdy country voice of her own, Clements sang a few lines of the open road anthem “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” McNabb flashed the fleur de lis tattoo on his forearm — its appearance on the jumbo screen earned a big cheer — then kicked a second-line beat.

The drummer also instigated a guest appearance by the Wild Red Flames Mardi Gras Indians during the bump ‘n grind “That’s How I Like It.” Nettles and Bush disappeared in a scrum of pale blue, light green, vermilion and purple feathers. “What a fun town ya’ll have,” Nettles declared, before rounding up the Indians for an on-stage photo.

Elsewhere, she delivered a lovely take on R.E.M.’s “Nightswimming.” An organ beefed up “Joey,” an especially forlorn good-bye, even by country standards. For the acoustic lament “Genevieve,” the musicians gathered in a semi-circle and took it to the mountains. “All I Want To Do,” by contrast, was an elated pop song with slide guitar accents. “Something More” crashed to a
big rock finish.

Bush served as Nettles’ equally engaged foil, swapping off on guitars and mandolin and singing. For a final romp through the B-52’s “Love Shack,” he played Fred Schneider to Nettles’ and Clements’ Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The women wore wigs rather than cowboy hats — and seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as anyone.