Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel - Nov 22 I’m back at the legendary Hope and Anchor in Islington for the last gig of the year to be put on by Runnin’ Blue. This time they’ve pulled a cracker with Sarah Borges and Eric Ambel coming across from the USA, ably supported by Boss Caine and Carol Hodge who’s brought the whole shebang this time.

Sarah Borges is a Boston based artist who straddles that fine line between country and punk. Having released her first album back in 2005 she brings a wealth of material with her. Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel played with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts around the time of the ‘I love Rock N Roll’ album before forming the New York based Del Lords and their East Coast take on country rock. Stints playing with the likes of Dan Baird and Steve Earle, and his skills as a producer have only enhanced his reputation.  Having produced Sarah’s last three records, it was natural for the two of them to head out on tour again.

Starting the night’s entertainment, we have the ever reliable Boss Caine. I’ve written a lot about Boss Caine previously and his recent support slot to Ginger Wildhearts and the Sinners has seen him reinvigorated after the slumber of the covid years. Starting with ‘Ghosts and Drunks’, Dan’s rich baritone voice and impressive guitar picking skills soon has the crowd listening intently. Favourites ‘Truckstop Jukebox’ and ‘Father Time’ follow by which time even the talkative ones at the back of the room are won over. A mixture of old and new songs completes the set and reminds us how you can never have too much Boss Caine in your life.

The Carol Hodge Band - Nov 22 When she’s not singing Crass songs with Steve Ignorant or playing keys with the likes of Ryan Hamilton and Ginger Wildheart, Carol Hodge ploughs her own field with an impressive line of songs ranging from heartfelt ballads to epic stompers that should be massive if there was any sense in the world. I’ve seen Carol a couple of times as a solo artist but never with a full band, so this was a good chance to hear her songs in the same vein as they were recorded.

Opening with ‘Stop Worrying Baby’, Carol’s crystal clear and passionate vocals dominate the room whilst the laid back rhythm sets the scene for an all-engaging set. ‘Magic Bullet’ ups the pace and is an all out rocker. There’s a new album due any day and we are treated to ‘The Price’ which is a little more electronic than the last album but still sounds fantastic and bodes well. ‘Virtue Signals’ follows and sounds incredible with the full band, all swirling guitars, pace changes with ethereal vocals that soar into something truly uplifting.

Throughout the set Carol is as engaging as ever, with her winning northern charm completing the package. Kudos to Carol’s bass player who has to have been the happiest bass player I seen in a long time bouncing around the stage and punching the air frequently in wild abandon.

The Carol Hodge Band - Nov 22 The stunning ‘Waving Not Dreaming’ slows the pace down and almost enters power ballad territory but without the spandex and dubious lyrics. ‘The Moan of a Thousand Years’ is a cracker of a song with its 80s keys and power chords – the full band treatment raises it to a different level live. By the time ‘Twenty Miles Up’ concludes the set, Carol has the audience singing the harmonies along with the band.

Solo Hodge is always good; the Hodge with a full band was incredible.

Carol’s set would be a hard act to follow, but Sarah Borges and Eric Ambel pulled it off. Joined by John Powney from The Warner E Hodges Band on drums and the impeccably cool looking Keith Voegele from The Bottle Rockets on bass they have brought together a powerhouse of a band.

Dividing the set between them saw Sarah predominantly singing most of the first half of the set with Roscoe taking main vocal duties for the second half. Sarah opens with ‘Same Old 45‘ from her debut album with its tumbling drums and bass line and almost rockabilly stomp. It’s good start with Roscoe getting an early solo and it sets the scene for the remainder of the set. ‘She’s a Trucker’ was written about Sarah’s lockdown career and is a chugging rollick of a song which proudly wears its road travelling country roots. Between songs, Sarah is an engaging orator with her Massachusetts tones and the tale of her witch tattoo was endearing, and any tales about Salem are good by me.

Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel - Nov 22 ‘Wouldn’t Know You’ is the first duet between Sarah and Roscoe of many and is a pleasing juxtaposition between their vocal styles. Most of Sarah’s songs are rocky in nature, but in a change of pace, ‘13^th Floor’ starts with a hint of the haunting chords of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ before becoming a melancholic ballad.

Roscoe’s part of the set ranges through songs from his solo albums, a Del Lords track and a few choice cover versions. ‘Monkey With A Gun’ from his Yayhoos days is particularly welcome addition with its incredibly hummable chorus. ‘Let’s Play With Fire’ is followed by a cover of Nick Lowe’s ’12 Step Program’ which is most appropriate considering this is the venue where the Damned recorded the video for ‘New Rose’ which was produced by said Nick Lowe.

Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel - Nov 22 A proper Americana version of ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ has the crowd dancing around shouting for more. Finishing with rock n roll exuberance, the band knock off a cracking set with the likes of ‘The One I Love’ before returning for a short encore, although this being the Hope and Anchor, leaving the stage is a little pointless so the band launch straight into a final song and it’s all over. The smiles on the band’s faces say it all – this was a victorious night in the Capital.

This was a highly impressive set showing off the skills of both Sarah and Roscoe and contrasted nicely with the early support acts. The quality on show tonight was clear to see and it is a very good contender to feature in my top ten gigs of the year (and there have been a lot).

Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel - Nov 22 Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel - Nov 22