ONCE the harmony-singing Wilsons of America meant Brian, Carl and Dennis of The Beach Boys.

Now, a new Wilson three has emerged, Bill Wilson’s sons, Abe, James and Sam Wilson, from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Accompanied by non-Wilsons on bass and drums, they are on their second British tour of the year already, promoting their fourth album of classic roots rock, Love And Logic.

Schooled in music appreciation from an early age by their father, these Sons Of Bill are vintage yet still fresh, writing nigh-on perfect songs with three-part harmonies of sibling interplay and beautifully textured instrumentation.

James is the front man, but Abe took Monday’s first lead vocal on his composition Higher Than Mine and his keyboard playing throughout was divine.

James teased Sam over never needing to re-tune his guitar as he had been to music college, but such brotherly affection was full of admiration too, because Sam’s solos were breathtaking, beautifully executed without ever being showy. He could handle the spotlight too on his one lead vocal.

James pulled it all together, standing tall in his check shirt, bonding with the crowd, and leading the way on such highs as Bad Dancer and Brand New Paradigm.

Sons Of Bill evoke the alt.country of Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks and early REM, but such is the quality of their southern tales they deserve a much bigger crowd on their next visit. In the meantime, James wanted to shake everyone’s hand at the end; the feeling was mutual.