The title should just say Jo Bywater Chasing Tales EP Launch.
So normally I blog about the concerts I go to but I have recently missed one which was Soundgarden at the Manchester Apollo the reason being I was stood about 20 feet away from the right side speakers and I couldn't hear any sound. Having seen Chris Cornell last year doing his acoustic set I know they're awesome but I could only sum up that night with buzzing for atmosphere but unfortunately also for sound. The reason for this preamble was because I was already comparing this nights venue and sound quality to my last outing and I was very pleasantly surprised. We hadn't been to the View Two Gallery before on Mathew Street and we were a bit wary as we saw the entrance to a narrow building squeezed between the noisy bars and nightclubs which all seemed to be named The Cavern. Going through the door was a bit like going through the wardrobe into Narnia you were in a different world protected from the stereotypical British city center nightlife that was carrying on regardless outside the door. Climbing the stairs we were watched by some lovely artwork lining the three flights of stairs and as we neared the top we could hear the warm clear tones of Jo Bywaters guitar getting ready. I was immediately put at ease because even before entering the room my ears were telling me this was going to be an acoustically fantastic night. On first entering the room I almost felt a bit under dressed I even took my beanie off out of respect for such a pleasant looking venue Lol ;] .
This night was going to be a night of discovery in the main because I had not heard three of the four artists before which is always exciting, I like the unknown. First up for the evening was Little Sparrow which is normally Katie Ware and four band members which tonight was reduced to one due to transportation issues. Now I know you shouldn't prejudge but I couldn't help thinking this was going to be you're usual finger picking with a small but pleasant voice which I knew I would enjoy but you can see in a million places up and down the country... How wrong was I. Ok there was some lovely finger picking guitar but when Little Sparrow opened her musical wings I realised she was a soaring Albatross her voice filled the room beautifully. It was wonderful as her voice soared then swooped taking us with it and all accompanied by some tantalising violin. It's great seeing how versatile a violin can be as it's played and then picked and then used percussively. So I think you can tell we thought this was a great opening to the night.
In contrast to Little Sparrow Anna Corcoran had increased her ensemble to two as she was joined on stage by Steph (i hope this is right) playing Cello and I am a sucker for a Cello sound. It's not very often I get to listen to a piano based artist so this was a refreshing change. The mood and sounds were very mellow and I could hear why she had been nominated for a Liverpool Music Award. It was a warm chilled sound (hold on is that right, what am I on about 'warm chilled' anyway you know what I mean) that had a lot of interest from the audience.
Now at this point in proceedings there was a real shift in pace. Me and Deboe started strumming frantically and they obviously had Bluetooth equipped guitars that were paired with my leg because my foot started tapping frantically I felt like thumper the rabbit. It was superb. I'm actually listening to their EP as I type this and my leg is at it again :) . I apologise for not knowing which one is Mercy Elise and which is Sarah Deboe but the main singer has a wonderful bite to her voice which grips you by the throat and shakes you about insisting you sit up and listen. This is all complimented as the harmonies kick in and fill out the sound, simply superb!!(have I said that already, I'll have to get a dictionary and find some more superlatives). As soon as they finished their set my wife chased them down to get the EP CD so we can share their music with my guitar playing 11 year old daughter because we're trying to give her as many female guitar role models as possible and Me and Deboe are a great example for her. I was trying to think of a music genre that best describes Me & Deboe because Country & Folk as it comes up in Itunes doesn't seem to fit their edgy sound. I plumped for the description Grace and Tony have given themselves on their bio page which is Punkgrass(you can make your own mind up).
So by the time Jo Bywater hit the front I was already on a musical high. Now I was introduced to Jo's music by Brian Player(Who asked me to say hello on the night for him and I was kind of carried away with the music and forgot. So 'hello Jo' from Brian better late than never eh) what seems like forever ago as I've been listening to her 1st album 'Cycle Grace Pulse Break' a lot since I've had it. So no pressure but this had to live up to a sound I was in love with , bluesy, mellow with pointy edges ( I have no idea what that describes but it's too late I've typed it now). From the first strum of her guitar I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Jo started with songs off the first album gradually being joined by musicians on the Cajon and backing vocals and much later on electric guitar. The wonderful bluesy tones floated around the room filling my ears and lifting the edges of my mouth into a contented smile. As if that wasn't enough to leave me happy for the evening Jo then picked up a Gretsch Resonator(I think) and started to play a mixture of slide and picking to showcase the tunes of the new EP Chasing Tales which after all was what this evening was all about. It wasn't just the sounds that had me captivated I was mesmerised by Jo effortlessly coaxing interesting sounds from her guitar.
Just in case you are in any doubt I really enjoyed the music and would definitely recommend going out(or staying in) and getting a copy of Chasing Tales EP by Jo Bywater.
I seem to label the latest gig I've seen 'One of the best I've ever seen' and my wife tells me you say that every time rendering the statement a bit useless. All I can say is if it makes me want to give it that accolade I had a great night so that was 'One of the best I've ever seen'.
Big thanks to Little Sparrow, Anna Corcoran, Me and Deboe and Jo Bywater for filling my night with musical wonder. Also a big thanks to Liverpool Acoustic and the View Two Gallery for putting this all together and hosting it in such a lovely venue.
For everything Jo Bywater go to
http://www.jobywater.com/
Me and Deboe can be found here
http://www.meanddeboe.com/
Anna Corcoran home on the web
http://www.annacorcoran.com/
You can find Little Sparrow flying here
http://www.littlesparrow.org/
