Welsh singer songwriter Laura Evans releases Live & Loud cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Arkansas” – Featuring guitarist Chris Buck.
Release date 15.02.23
Laura Evans is back this time with a first ever LIVE recording of the Chris Stapleton cover “Arkansas” with her full band featuring guitarist Chris Buck.
For anyone who has seen Laura’s live shows will know that her cover of “Arkansas” is a big highlight in her set and there was a demand from her fans that she record it live and finally release it. It’s quite a mean feat for a female vocalist to take on the iconic Chris Stapleton, but there is no doubt that with Laura’s effortless but powerful country/blues tone she delivers the perfect vocal, putting her own stamp on this song. Couple that with her full band which comprises of Joe Coombs (guitar) Daisy Pepper (Bass) Jamie Dawson (drums) and her welsh buddy and one of the UK’s finest guitarists Chris Buck – and you have the perfect combination of Bluesy, Country, Rock and Roll.
Laura had a standout year in 2022 with the release of her critically acclaimed debut album ‘State of Mind’ which topped the iTunes Blues chart at number 1, made her the face of the ‘Nu Blue’ editorial playlist on Spotify, landed on Apple Music’s “Todays Country” playlist received praise from blues legend Joe Bonamassa, as well as continued support on the BBC Welsh A List and Planet Rock and rave reviews by music press all over the country. The album has now racked up nearly 1 million streams on Spotify.
Talking about the how the recording of the live cover came together Laura said “It was an idea I had a few years ago to make a big rocking Chris Stapleton country song more bluesy with the broken-down intro and really put my own stamp on it. When I first played this version live, it was a real crowd pleaser and so it’s a been a staple part of my set in my live shows ever since. When I had the opportunity to record it live with my full band and my mate Chris Buck, it was a no brainer. We all got together at Acapela studios in South Wales and treated it like a live show. It’s such a fun song to play, we didn’t over think it, we pressed record and we ended up using the first take – it wasn’t perfect but it captured the magic”
Laura had a very busy touring schedule last year she toured as special guest with Californian southern rock band ‘Robert Jon & The Wreck’ on their sell out UK Tour in April, as well opening for Welsh rock band “Cardinal Black” on their UK tour in September and then Canadian Blues artist “Matt Andersen” on his UK sell-out in October. Laura is now gearing up for her own headline full band, 5 date tour this February 2023.
Laura will kick off in – Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on February 21st
Gullivers Manchester 23rd Feb, The Cluny 2, 24th Feb, The Greystones in Sheffield 25th Feb and The Grace, London 26th Feb.
For more info on LAURA visit the website HERE
“Laura Evans sounds like Stevie Nicks, jamming with Blackberry Smoke, embracing notes of americana, pop, and bluesy rock and roll”
Classic Rock Magazine
‘Breakout Star of 2022 Laura Evans is sent for fans of Countrified blues, Rock & Soul’. Rush on Rock Magazine
“Laura Evans is fantastic” Wyatt Wendells, Planet Rock
Photo Credit – Megan Jenkins