Gig review: Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery
Friday 23rd April 2010
Maybe We’ll Fly is a title from one of the artists who played, and pretty much sums up the feel of an evening’s acoustic, fresh feminine folk.
On Friday 23rd April (better known as St George’s Day) a LIPA Special was hosted at The View Two Gallery.
Well done to Liverpool Acoustic Live organisers Graham Holland and Stuart Todd who started the gig at the advertised time of eight-thirty. Doors at 8pm as stated on the ticket meant there wasn’t a spare chair in the house. Quite right too!
Featuring the work of new LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) graduates, an extra special surprise for all was this four act line-up starred young women. The city bars, clubs and backstreets are dominated by male musicians, it’s great to see female musicians are being taken seriously.
Lost love or craving love; cathartic lyrics in lullabies was the evening’s overall theme. Silly love songs, Sir Paul might add: “…well, what’s wrong with that?” LIPA’s fall-out of fresh faces will undoubtedly find their individual causes and paths. Congratulations to all on your graduation. A professional evening of music doesn’t need credentials, but whichever way viewed, a degree from LIPA is an incredible achievement and adds kudos to a creative C.V.
Photo © 2010 Andy Sunley
Tina Refsnes (pronounced Reffs-ness) myspace.com/tinarefsnes is a welcome addition to our plethora of adopted Scousewegian singer-songwriters was first up and timely rhythmic.
“I’ve been told…told…told…” Tina gives a straight style vocal and has a clean, fresh demeanour in performance. Her songs are poetic, simple folk, and well-received by an attentive crowd. Rosie Jones (also coming up on Saturday at LIPA, see above) accompanied Tina’s guitar with a small electronic keyboard and joined in vocal harmony.
Tina’s singing drama increases, but her strumming guitar is understated behind vocal. “In My House” (an extensively long house). Tina’s steady rhythmic pace “lock down your dreams” (lyric) found a harmonica to add design.
I like how Tina repeats certain words for effect and builds to a crescendo, such as in “City City”.
Tina gives sleepy, sad, contemplative songs. A new song, as yet untitled, gave a lively picture of Concert Square, Liverpool – a party square of bars likely unsuited to the meek and mild at heart.
She has an interesting vocal; if singing loud her tone is reminiscent of a violin. A feisty finishing track slid away from sweet lullabies.
Tina’s new EP can be downloaded at tinarefsnes.bandcamp.com
The top floor, main exhibition space at the gallery is looking fine at the moment thanks to Frank Maudsley; known primarily for music and bad (or cool) hair. Front man for eighties band, Flock of Seagulls, Frank’s artistic leanings took him to canvas, and now he’s a bald bloke who sure can paint – in an interesting, surreal style. Exhibition ends 15th May 2010. Go see it.
viewtwogallery.co.uk/archives/exhibition-from-chord-to-canvas-by-frank-maudsley
Following wake-up from regular grand piano tinkling in the changeover-interval (with pianist, Roger Edwards, talented and lively instrumental)
Photo © 2010 Andy Sunley
Rachael Wright myspace.com/rachaelwrightmusic is a City of Liverpool, urban beauty (yes, we have plenty). Dressed casually in jeans with a T-shirt, she has cropped brown hair and cool, sophisticated, talent. Rachael has performed throughout the UK. www.rachaelwright.com
Rachael asks questions in her songs and answers herself intelligently. She solves problems presented e.g. Lyrics: “Do you know what’s right?”… “Do you know what’s best?” Her vocal is clean with occasional, well-placed vibrato. Rachael has well above average guitar skills, her lyrics could speak louder if she brought a range of topics to the mic. This was a hugely-expressive performance from Rachael Wright, and the crowd leaned in.
Female writers are less eager to be mildly contentious and express political opinions or talk about taboo social injustice for fear of personal judgement. Times have changed. I believe in Rachael Wright, and I noticed I’m not the only one.
Photo © 2010 Andy Sunley
After a break, Rosie Jones and the Mystery Machine myspace.com/rosiexjones (Rosie had already performed accompaniment for her musical friend, Tina) played an acoustic set of some of the songs usually performed by her band.
Rosie is a songwriter-soloist, this evening, but has several other projects ongoing. She is a friendly performer.
Master of guitar, mandolin, harmonica and vocals; it is clear this young woman from Devon has been wrapped tight around her enthusiasm for music. Rosie’s voice is as fresh as linen on a line waving through a summer breeze. “Maybe we’ll Fly” is well-received with foot taps from the audience for its beautiful chorus.
Rosie is unafraid to be expressive and works well in bringing folk acoustic to present day. She swears like a lady on “1996”. She emphasises certain lyrics with drama from her voice, yet keeps controlled physical poise.
Tina Refsnes returned with some long bowing on the violin for accompaniment, but staccato bars may have pricked more life during this capable, going somewhere, just-you-wait-and-see, performance.
Photo © 2010 Andy Sunley
Zoe Nicol and the Worry Dolls myspace.com/zoenicolmusic charmed everybody on Zoe’s CD launch night.
A young, innovative line-up of six “worry dolls” nicely explained with merchandising and a cute ethos. Headed by a flame-haired Rossetti-in-cotton, Zoe, along with some fabulous, fresh-sounding song-writing, morphed into lyrically quirky and endearing at once. Her band this night is a row of mini-keyboard, banjo, mandolin, guitar and violin, with choral harmony.
“I am a Boy” and “Amy Long Socks” deserve to be heard. Please visit her website, see them play-out, or buy her CD: “These are the Stories” now for only £6.
This LIPA Special proved the ladies of LIPA have got it going on already, and we should listen out for more. It was a total pleasure to see and to hear all acts presented.
Don’t forget the next Liverpool Acoustic Live will take place at View Two Gallery Friday 28th May – doors 8pm, tickets £5 on the door, or £4 in advance from wegottickets.com/event/80097 Visit liverpoolacoustic.co.uk for more info.
Review © 2010 Amanda DeAngeles myspace.com/amandadeangeles
Photos © 2010 Andy Sunley flickr.com/photos/andy_sunley