Independent (label)
15 March 2024 (released)
06 March 2024
I have been following Elles Bailey’s career for about nine years (some may say stalking but…), from playing third on the bill at the 100 Club to playing festivals and headline shows, and in that time I’ve seen her live about a dozen times. For various reasons I missed the 2023 tour for ‘Shining In The Half Light’ but with this release I feel I’ve made up for lost time.
Elles Bailey is a superb performer. Constantly in motion but without ever letting it affect her vocals, and when you add that she is a terrific songwriter – either solo or in collaboration with some terrific writers – and has a brilliant band behind her, it’s easy to see why she is a festival favourite and multi-award winner.
So, did I miss anything? Well, yes. It looks like I missed the lady at her peak.
The ‘Shining In The Half Light’ album is a monster and her performances of the material is right on the mark. Not slavish copies of the original tracks, the live environment adds a space, a texture even a greater focus on the words more than just that smoky voice and the great playing of her band. Jow Wilkins is playing his guitars with all his usual understated genius, Jonny Henderson’s keyboards add a great texture to her music, Demi Marriner’s backing vocals fill out the vocals and the driving force of Matthew Waer on bass and Matthew Jones drums is tight and has a real groove to it.
15 tracks and none of them filler. Her version of John Martyn’s ‘Over The Hill’ is a delightful rendition of the classic and ‘Perfect Storm’ has a really soulful feel to it. Her song to her, then, new baby ‘Spinning Stopped’ is utterly gorgeous, dripping with that sweet shock you get the first time you see your newborn. ‘Cheat And Liars’ is cold and angry, ‘Halfway House’ and ‘Perfect Storm’ both have a stark and soulful feel to them. She encores with ‘Sunshine City’ and it rolls along with real force and pace – terrific slide from Joe and a fine vocal from Demi.
The whole set makes me wish I was there. But that’s ok. I will be there for the next shows that I can. The lady is a real star and with a top band behind her, a force.
