Alexander Carson Album Launch

 
Milly Hirst is familiar to many of us, both for her solo music and as a former member of Norwich genre-fluid folk quintet Wooden Arms. Whilst claiming to be nervous last night, having not played any gigs for quite a while, nobody would have guessed as she led us faultlessly through a collection of her gentle love songs, her delicate electric guitar playing being the only accompaniment (save for an overhead electric fan which switched itself on halfway through one song and whirred rhythmically, though not quite in time with the music). If you love the sound of artists such as Lisa Hannigan you will adore Milly – both singers have that ability of getting the hairs on the back of your neck to stand, creating goosebumps, and shivers that run right down your back.

 
Alex is fighting a bad dose of laryngitis, which is a rum old way in which to host an album launch party, and has led to some last minute re-jigging of the set list. Out goes anything which demands the reaching of notes at the higher end of his vocal range, and in come a couple of older songs and a Tom Waits cover instead. The result is a mellow performance, still 'typically Alex', and heavy with heart-felt emotions and laconic lyricism, a pinch of self-deprecation, and a bewitching melange of tremorous vocals and elegant keyboard playing.
 
Tracks like Ghosts and Lovers ably demonstrate what a beautiful album Ellipsism has turned out to be. Alex has consistently eschewed the concept of three minute verse-chorus-verse-chorus songwriting. Instead, each composition meanders down in its own unique path, sometimes in quite unexpected directions. Tonight, a song which he is not even sure is finished gets given a showcase premiere, and is delivered with a combination of pioneer spirit, bravado and seat-of-the-pants panache, and with violin player Jessica Diggins adding a little bit of Wooden Arms magic by way of accompaniment.
 
Whatever you may think about encores, the night was deservedly brought to a wonderful conclusion by Alex, accompanied by Jessica, Milly and Miles, joining forces to re-create a version of the classic Wooden Arms track, False Start.
 
Thanks to Georgie at Odd-Box Promotions for such a really strong line-up – this was something different from her usual, more rock-orientated gigs, and it suited the ambience of The Birdcage, itself the fashionable hub of the Norwich Lanes, like a proverbially well-fitting glove. Enjoyed by an appreciative and attentive audience, and enhanced by attentive sound monitoring from Conor on his mobile phone (I kid you not!), this proved a triumphant triumvirate of an evening for everyone present.
 
PS Another awesome gig poster by Joel Benjamin. That man is genius.