I’m in lack of superlatives. After following each step of Sierra on YouTube the last years, listening to her phenomenal debut album times and times again, last night in Oslo, my expectations couldn’t have been higher when I for the first time was able to see her live – still, the force-of-nature Sierra Ferrell overwhelmed me and brought me to tears.

Some of you might have read my blogpost “”Hey Me, Hey Mama” – The Rise of Sierra Ferrell”, my own light introduction to the artist who, for me, is the most promising find in the whole Americana bag the last ten or maybe twenty years. I have to go back to Iris DeMent and Mary Gauthier to find “new” artists that so easy and in short time found their way deep into my musical heart, and stayed there. Here comes Sierra.

Though partly in lack of words after last night’s show, I just feel obliged one more time to spread the word about a fabulous show and about a unique artist. Go see her if you can. Life is short.

I have a deep respect for personal taste, and I know all about acquired taste, we are different, and we just don’t always like the same, that’s okay. If you don’t like the videos from last night presented here, then there are plenty of great artists to delve into. Of course.

A packed venue was immediately silenced when Sierra came to the microphone, and from the first notes she got the audience in the palm of her hand. Magic. It stayed that way the whole night.

Sierra’s voice is as flexible a tool as a swiss army knife, she got it all, and integrates a long string of voices, seemingly with no limits when it comes to range and strength. She can sometimes give you both Tammi, Loretta, Janis & Dolly – in the same song! I was so happy to see her get the Americana Awards for best newcomer last year, but still, even the Americana label might be surpassed by this artist, integrating elements from both soul, jazz and french chansons, even some touch of Eastern Europe, latino rhythms & much more, but always the strong inspiration that come from drinking of that great old well of bluegrass & country music. What’s not to like? It’s jambalaya.

Her exquisite band just makes it all come together, virtuosos on both guitars, mandolin & bass. What more is, their work on the harmonizing with the sound of the lonesome sparrow makes us think of the masters of close harmony.

Just listen to how she caresses each word in the beautiful West Virginia Waltz, how she finds the perfect low notes to paint the song true.

The band is superb, but Sierra reigns supreme also when the guys leave her for the beautiful, dark & delicate storytelling of “Rosemary”:

“I killed that witch that was on my back
No more feel like the night will attack
I killed the witch that was on my back
Now I feel like I can relax
Like I can relax”

I think we were all mesmerized by the beauty of “Lighthouse Song”, new for me this night. The close harmonies with hints from the best of bluegrass, the precision in delivery & rhythm, like a snake that bites. I never look or listen for perfection when it comes to music, still, this was close. And yes, she is a great songwriter, too, reminding us that there’s a new album in the coing.

“To send me a life line
Search and recover me
Im running out of time
The waters getting too deep
I’d almost given up
When I felt the touch of your gentle hand”

An example of what we are waiting for in a new album, might be the beautiful gem “The Garden”. An instant classic.

The great “Jeremiah” from her first album “Long Time Coming” is an exercise in her unique risk-taking trapeze artist vocals, making it all seem so simple in all its elegance, but this isn’t easy if you’re not uniquely equipped with a voice without restraint.

Charlie Poole, who recorded “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” in 1925, would have been very proud listening to Sierra’s version last night, as would Flatt & Scruggs, Bob Dylan and all the rest who took a shot at this great classic song.

Another fabulous vocal on the wonderful “In Dreams”, where Sierra’s songwriting makes us feel a set back to previous times in all its simple beauty.

“But that river will flow on
Even after we’re all long gone
That river will flow on
Take me with you now before I’m one”

I didn’t get to film the very soulful version of Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down, where Soul Sister Sierra used all of her Magic Power. Including an earlier version to give a hint.

I’ve seen a lots of shows on the little stage of “John Dee” through the years, even Van Morrison, but I don’t think I ever heard such applause as when Sierra and band left the stage last night. The public demand was endless and powerful. They came back and Sierra introduced the song as: “I’ll willie your nelson” before breaking into another great classic, “Seven Spanish Angels”. And then it was over when the applause continued long after she was gone, till the light was turned on. My thoughts was that I one day will be able to tell that I saw Sierra Ferrell in this little club in Norway, and no one believes me. Larger venues are waiting, I’m sure. Also in Norway. Last night we were the lucky ones.

She’s not so tall, but she’s a giant. Mind my words. Listen to Sierra.

Johnny Borgan