09 October 2010 (gig)
12 October 2010
For me there are few artists that truly realise the passion and fervent mix of joy, melancholy and madness that acoustic music can offer in the world today.
With the dreaded X-Factor in full flow it seems that the human instinct of creating inspiring organic music is an art form very much in decline but I'm glad to say that within a few minutes of entering the small but perfectly formed confines of Kilburn's Luminaire there was a perfect example for all to see.
Sometimes expanding to a five-piece tonight Ezio play as Ezio Lunedei and Mark "Booga" Fowell, the solid folk/pop partnership that has been widely overlooked by the mainstream press, but none-the-less still religiously tour their eccentric brand of upbeat acoustic folk these past 20 years.
In my eyes it's as this stripped back due that Ezio veritably shine. The first tracks of the night include some from the forthcoming album and sees them in classic mode with Ezio forever the endearing storyteller and Booga the giant charismatic guitar slinger. The evening is peppered with humorous asides from Ezio that would not see him out of place on a stand-up stage but it's in the first 'big' tune of the night that the familiar chemistry starts to boil over. 'The Further We Stretch' is greeted with welcome cheers and is duly sung back at the stage with the odd participant breaking into the groups choreographed hand dance routine.
'Deeper' is also received enthusiastically but its 'Black Boots On Latin Feet' that truly reflect the majesty of the band. Take a look at the clip below and tell me otherwise.
Always played with an awe-inspiring burgeoning pride Ezio embody everything that is right in home-grown UK branded folk and I hope that after 20 years sooner rather than later the world will be let in on one of the best kept secrets in music.
