Sierra Hull in Tallmadge, Ohio, 2015

Sierra Hull in Tallmadge, Ohio

March 20th, 2015:  Concert Review

     Last night, Sierra Hull performed a show in the Tallmadge High School Theater in Tallmadge, OH.  Sierra brought in the spring season with an incredible assortment of bluegrass music - with songs ranging from the traditional bluegrass-style, to a more modern style, as well as many that she has written herself. 

     With Sierra, who featured all of the main vocals, bluegrass mandolin, as well as the octave mandolin (which sounded incredible), were Justin Moses, Bryan McDowell, and Jacob Eller.  Justin Moses performed on the guitar, banjo, dobro, fiddle, and sang harmony.  Jacob Eller played killer bass, and Bryan McDowell rang out on the fiddle and guitar, while joining Sierra and Justin with harmony.  

     They highlighted several songs from Sierra's last album Daybreak, including Best Buy, Bombshell, and What Do You Say?  Sierra has done an excellent job of taking these songs above and beyond their recorded version released in 2011.  They truly showed that she is always progressing forward, with no plans to stop.  

     Sierra performed a few songs from the album that she has just finished mastering.  (This album does not yet have an official release date, but Sierra hinted at this fall, and includes some special guests.)  One of note was Weighted Minds, and with all of the new songs, Sierra has once again outdone herself.  These songs were a great sample of what's to come on the new album.

     There were also several instrumentals performed, all with ease and flow from all the members playing.  Sierra & Justin did a mandolin duet, which was one of the highlights of the evening.

     Among the highlights of the evening were the solos sung and played by Sierra.  One of the most memorable songs of the night was Easy Come, Easy Go, which Sierra performed impromptu and solo at the request of an audience member.  She also soloed the Tennessee Waltz, among a few others.

     One of the closing numbers was a song written by Sierra, in which she sings about the life of a traveling musician.  It describes some of the downside of a traveling life, but ends with remembering that it's about the music, and what it can bring to others.  Sierra Hull truly is taking joy and purpose around the country (and other countries as well!) through song.  

     We'll close with these lyrics from Sierra.  "This music that can drive me mad, is the best friend that I've ever had."  Thank you Sierra Hull for all your music, and keep moving on!!!

Keep up with Sierra Hull at http://www.sierrahull.com/
You can find her on Facebook, and Twitter as well.

This article was written by Brandon Merritt, March 2015.

Brandon Merritt is an amateur writer, a bluegrass enthusiast, and an aspiring musician.