Live Review-Lior

3rd March-The Basement

Although Liors' support band was wonderful (Busby Marou), the audience was captivated as soon as he stepped on stage. The crowd went wild. He's got this boy-ish charm to him, that makes you think he'd never curse in front of your mother.

I honestly believe he is better live (in real life) than recorded. Even doing an acoustic show, it's more full of life, more free. Free to have moments like forgetting the words and waiting expectantly for the crowd to notice, or having your amp drop out for a guitar solo.. The best thing was, he laughed about it, then chose to do it vocally.

The range and strength Lior shows vocally is only accentuated further by his immaculate guitar skills. He treated us to some solo time, with "Autumn Flow" and a new track "Days to Remember". The string quartet he used, were just amazing, they added a depth, and further complexity of sound, a sense of floating to his melodies..

He talked to us, told us stories, like the many Daniels' (link is purely for vocals) he's never met, but written songs about, or being conscripted (before he was widely known) by a fan to play "This Old Love" whilst they proposed to their partner.

We shared special moments with Lior. He touched us with his humanity and honesty. Everyone walked from the room more lively then when they went in. And whether it was the intimacy of "The Basement" or just a lack of Oxygen, we were taken to a new and glorious place.

Sign me up for round 2.

Pour L'amour

Live Review-Mama Kin

20th January, Newcastle Lizottes.

Elana Stone opened the night, wandering around the stage, tripping over various instruments and telling us little stories. She certainly paraded her vocal talents, only being accompanied by her keyboard or her accordion. She is an interesting songwriter and she has a quirkiness that makes her quite lovable.

As MamaKin swamped onto the stage with her rockabilly inspired dress and her cow boy boots, you couldn't help but be drawn to her. Her support, "Brother Michael" and "Drummer George" (therefore her very own George Michael, as she put it) had Mamas' groove down to an art. Changing positions and instruments to complement her perfectly.

We were treated with yet to be released tracks and stories of her world.. moments of darkness, contentment and joy. She made you feel at home, very true to her name. She writes from such a honest place, songs like "Apple Tree", "The Colour" and "You Tore My Heart Out".

Her toe tapping beats, sultry huskiness and general openness (and a little scotch) made it a musically and well as personally inspiring evening, that I will definitely do again.

Pour L'amour