Music > Live Reviews
Grapevine Triple Bill
The Guildhall
13/01/18
Music gigs are notoriously thin on the ground during the first two weeks of January. Many artists take an extended break ahead of spring tours, and promoters are worried that audiences may not have been paid since before Christmas. Thank goodness, therefore, for the courage and conviction of Norwich's Grapevine For Music, and to Britannia Bistro in the Guildhall, for attracting a packed audience last night to a triple-bill of amazing songwriting talent.
First on is David Miller's curiously named The howtocuredyslexiaband, which is essentially David and an acoustic guitar. Grapevine introduced us to him almost exactly a year ago, and once again he captivates the entire room with his slightly surreal, slightly eccentric view of the world, and songs with outrageously clever wordplay and brilliantly engineered pauses. Saints, Chrysalis and Magic Exists are just three songs that tonight remind us of the legendary Ray Davies and Nick Drake at their lyrical best.
Laura Goldthorp is a 21 year old songwriter who graduated last year from the UEA. No longer based in Norwich, so a genuine treat to enjoy her return. She has a beautiful vulnerability in her voice that draws you in, sharing with her in delicately crafted stories of hopes and fears faced in the search for fulfillment in life and love. Her new single Candy Shops is far from the frothy confection that the title might suggest, and numbers like Digging Up Bones display heartfelt maturity in their ability to offer advice as well as receive it. There is a lovely duet performance of Love Stay Young For Me with Peter Bye, and possibly the most moving Leonard Cohen cover I have ever heard – her version of Paper Thin Hotel literally gave me goosebumps. Laura is a real talent to watch out for.
Stromm have been on the local scene for a few years now, but this is the first time I have managed to catch them live. Ross Mitson (guitar and vocals) and Claire Kidman (vocals) are joined tonight by Kate Ross on electric bass. When Mitson announces that drummer Stuart Paterson is 'no longer with us' Kidman is quick to reassure us that he is indeed alive and well, but not performing tonight.
Stromm as a live act impress through the hugely versatile voice of Ross Mitson, but also with the wonderful harmonies that he and Claire create. Every number features impressively strong melody and some lovely chord progressions, yet when switching from acoustic to hollow bodied electric Ross' guitar work conjures a complete change of mood and style. There are times when vocals blend with acoustic creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Paul Giovanni's The Wicker Man soundtrack. Conversely, the electric guitar produces a richer, if darker, mood akin to a David Lynch movie. Away from the cinematic influences, the songwriting reminds of some of this country's modern greats – names like Terry Hall; Butler and Fletcher (The Bees); and Dunford andThatcher (from 70's band Renaissance). Kate Ross' flute playing on one song even brings back memories of Jethro Tull. Such variety, and such talent, makes Stromm a hugely enjoyable band to both listen to and experience live. Highlights for me included the acoustic beauty of Smoking; the faster, trip-hop vibe to Tracks; the up-tempo Always The Bride; and, of course, the new single In Your Shoes.
Congratulations to Grapevine for an all-round excellent start to 2018. A real treasure chest of local talent (because we have obviously 'adopted' Laura as one of our own), and I really look forward to their next evening on February 8th.