How Jeff Buckley Introduced Me (Indirectly) To Hannah Williams And The Affirmations

The story of Hannah Williams seems to be written in lore from day one. Her father was a musically gifted minister, and her mother let her join the church choir at the age of 6. Hannah could read music before she could properly read words. Now she‟s an unstoppable force of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime talent.

At an Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute, I met a drummer from Bristol. Somewhere between Grace and Mojo Pin, he mentioned he was a drummer in a band. He then asked if I had ever heard of Hannah Williams. 

Europe had the opportunity to enjoy Hannah Williams since 2012. Hannah is a phenom who was "blessed by Sharon Jones" and remind me ever so much of Helen Terry. Backed on the 2016 album Late Nights and Heartbreak by the sensational Affirmations, the band is finding fame across Europe. The album is filled with classic soul, songs of heartbreak, and the title track has been sampled by Jay Z's album 4:44.

What? How come you've never heard of Hannah Williams and the Affirmations? I honestly don't know. They are not known well in the States - yet.  Having seen them for their performance this year at Brooklyn Bowl, the raw emotion and high caliber talent of the band will propel these talented musicians quickly into larger venues and hopefully more music festivals. Spread the word and let's hear more of Hannah Williams and the Affirmations on this side of the Atlantic.

You can check them out on tour in Europe this fall.

 Thank you to Jeff Buckley and to Jai for introducing me to the Affirmations and to Hannah Williams.

The Affirmations are:
James Graham - Organ, Piano and Wurlitzer
Adam Holgate – Guitar
Adam Newton - Bass Guitar
Jai Widdowson-Jones - Drums
Nicholas Malcolm - Trumpet
Liam Treasure - Trombone
John Pratt - Baritone Saxophone
Victoria Klewin, Hannah Nicholson and Hannah Williams- Backing Vocals.  

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

I can’t assume to know where our heroes go when they die. Nirvana. Heaven.The tremendous band in the sky, assembled in the round, together there on a sun-kissed, better shore. Whatever it’s called, wherever it is, you can betthe farm that today the bells are ringing there, and the people are singing.Because Levon knows what we can only guess: That there is no last waltz.That we’ll forever file in through the barn door with the ones we love, drawn by the firelight, grab our children and go round and round in a dance interminable. We doe-see-doe. We stomp the boards. Shout. Kiss. Cry. Sing.Spin. Laugh. Squeal. Study the stars through the gaps in the ceiling. Simon Felice Requiem for Levon

The Weight

I have been to many a concert in my 34 years, but I think I may have been witness to musical perfection last night at the Brooklyn Bowl. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, A Benefit to Save the Barn was held in honor of Levon Helm who passed away in April. With acts such as Nicole Atkins, Ian Felice, Marco Benevento, Joe Russo ... you knew great music was going to be played. The energy was incredibly high and positive from the first note of Ophelia to the last beat of The Weight.

The musicians played musical chairs all night, never taking a set break, and performing some of Levon and The Bands greatest songs. The crowd, a mix of eclectic hipsters and Ramble veterans (such as myself) sang, danced and reminisced together, celebrating the music of Levon. There were many highlights to the night - each moment a special musical memory. Ian Felice taking lead on The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was beyond stellar. Don't Do It's jam kept going and going with incredible energy - you'd think these guys have done this song for over 20 years together. And Levon himself would have been so proud of the lovely ladies singing Anna Lee.

There have been and there will be many more tributes to Levon. But last night's show embodied the soul of the man and the pure joy that music can bring. We each had our moments that brought us to tears, made us dance up a storm and pause to reflect on that smile that Levon would get when he played. Whether you have been a lifelong fan or were just introduced to his music, the night will go down as memorable and just they way Levon would have wanted: a bunch of strangers becoming friends, singing songs together as if soulmates, laughing,loving and dancing at our ramble, our own last waltz.




Courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl Instagram @brooklynbowl