review is written by Nigel Foster and shared with his kind permission
Images By Ken Jackson
Georgia van Etten – The Tuesday Night Music Club – 23 September. When you are part of this amazing music community that I am so privileged to be such a part of, there is something so heartwarming when you pick up on an artist early in their career and you watch them blossom and come into full bloom. After seeing Georgia tonight that is definitely happening as the songstress and her gifted band showcased songs from Georgia’s forthcoming second album entitled Well To The Water
that will be shared with the world in spring next year. Georgia and her four boys are undertaking a short tour to road test the new songs, and tonight we at The Tuesday Night Music had the absolute pleasure of hearing these songs for the very first time, and that was a privilege. Georgia has a wonderful voice; it being classically trained, she has exceptional voice control, and she can therefore take on many styles of music, and that was very much in evidence tonight. Georgia is also a superb lyricist, and like the songs on her debut album, these new songs have vivid lyrics that are real and are depictions of many facets of modern life. The lady also has such a warm and charming personality and when all of these elements are put together in front of you, as they were tonight,
Georgia and her music are beguiling. The band of four are also the perfect foil for the leading lady in that throughout the whole show, the rhythm section of Edwin Ireland on bass, Oscar Reynolds on drums, David Ferris on keyboards and Michael Redfern on guitar never sought to dominate Georgia; they created musical sounds that wrapped around the voice, and when the song dictated, they lifted Georgia and her voice higher. The gig actually began in fine style with a vibrant delivery of Deep Black Water, the title track of Georgia’s debut album.
Oscar and Edwin laid down a low groove, Dave wove in sweeping organ patterns and Michael pieced together sharp and clipped guitar lines. All creating a platform for Georgia’s pure and melodic voice that carried the lyrics. The ‘big love ballad’ from the new album was a pure delight as Georgia’s fractured and fragile voice floated along on the gentle instrumentation that the guys laid down, and Michael conjured additional feel with a searching slide run.
Blood Orange was identified by Georgia as a favourite of hers on the new album, and it is obvious why. Georgia wove delicate piano flurries together with her soft vocals, and gradually the band eased in to add controlled power that took the vocals higher. Another new song ended the first set and lightened the vibe as it raced along on a heavy groove, organ and guitar riffs that all framed themselves around Georgia’s forceful vocal. I have commented before that I adore the guitar harmony of electric and acoustic dovetailed together, so I was very happy to hear Michael and Edwin in sync to build the basis of The Breeze.
Oscar’s drum patterns and those of Dave added texture and helped Georgia pour out a climbing vocal. A hush then enveloped the room as Georgia began solo, sat at the piano, and she teased out soft notes that nestled gently beside her crystal clear voice; then deftly the band slotted in, and such was Michael’s tone that the guitar sounded like a lap steel to me. The words to ‘Creatures’ are deep and thought-provoking as they relate to mental health issues, but in the composition, Georgia has managed to lift the otherwise heavy mood. To lighten the mood considerably, the band swooped and soared through an alt-pop romp, layers of keys were swept up alongside the punched groove and guitar licks that Georgia danced over, all with her melodic voice.
This ended the set and brought us to our feet. We wanted and we got a fabulous encore of a double shot from the debut album. First the mood laden Suddenly with its sparse vocal delivery draped over the rhythm section passages and those of the keys and guitar. Then to follow and go out on a high, the band swept into the bright summery vibe of Emma Lee. There was a bounce to the music that conjured joyful images, and locking tight together, the band took us all home. A deserved second ovation hopefully showed our appreciation.
To the five musicians, my heartfelt thanks to you for the entertainment laid before us. To Richard and Rosalind, thank you for making this happen. I asked Georgia if there was a secret to both albums having the word ‘water’ in the title, and she shared the secret with me, but of course I am now bound to keep the secret! There are now only 4 dates left on this tour, and they happen in Nayland, Essex, London and Bath. If you know Georgia or are intrigued by my words, grab a ticket to one of these gigs and experience brand new quality music.
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