CRAMMED in the upstairs studio venue, the sell-out audience was all keyed up and ready to savour the bluegrass and western swing music of the Toy Hearts. Made up of Hannah, Sophie and Stewart Johnson – plus Spike Barker on upright bass – a tonne of energy was released.

First came Dutch guitar player, singer-songwriter Vera Van Heeringen. Her smart picking, covers and own material would have made a greater impression if she had support, but this did not prevent her winning over the audience with the likes of Old Man, and snappy piece Pass Me The Whiskey.

Birmingham-raised Toy Hearts are moving to Texas in two weeks, so this was a perfect time to catch them.

Awash in great talent all-round, Hannah’s lead vocals and mandolin playing were complemented by dad’s banjo, Dobro and steel guitar, and elder sister Sophia’s exquisite guitar playing.

The Toy Hearts’ harmony vocals, like the tight playing of Barker anchoring the unit, whisked us through material ranging from Hank Thompson, Marty Robbins, Gillian Welch, Kate MacKenzie and Bob Wills as well as their own.

Tequila and High Heels and Stutter Blues well deserved a place aside Sophia’s fabulous version of the instrumental Beaumont Rag.

What a send off. I hope they don’t forget to come back, but with many performances like this, Texas will want to adopt them – lock, stock and barrel.

Maurice Hope