CANAAN COX and JAMES STEPHEN & THE GOOD ONES
A decent evening’s entertainment from two acts that should be better known.
Waterfront
From Stockport, JAMES STEPHEN & THE GOOD ONES play blues-Infused Americana. There’s something about them that makes me think of Bruce Springsteen’s less bombastic, more introspective moments. There are also hints of Josh Ritter, Jason Isbell and even Howe Gelb. Towards the end of the set, Stronger With You adds some funk and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section-style southern fried soul.
Stephen is a warm and engaging frontman and the band seem to be enjoying themselves. There’s a Morgan Wallen cover which I must confess means nowt to me. The crowd’s response is positive and, whilst it is all a bit too, erm, polite for me, it is enjoyable and, given the right breaks, Stephen and band could be playing bigger venues than the (admittedly lovely) Waterfront Studio.
Likewise, tonight’s headliner, CANAAN COX, is a little too middle of the road for me but I don’t understand why he isn’t playing to bigger crowds. For a lot of the set, the music reminds me of Bryan Adams circa-Cuts Like A Knife whilst the vocals and song structures aren’t a million miles away from Ed Sheehan. On vocals, acoustic guitar and fiddle, Cox - a Bachelor in Fine Arts in musical theatre who, outside of music, works as an artist, actor and dancer - is an energetic performer who builds a strong rapport with the crowd through entertaining between song banter.
A significant proportion of the crowd arrive in Cox merchandise and sing along word perfectly. Guitarist Tyler plays some mean lead and drummer Matt is a hugely entertaining watch - particular, the mean part of me wants to say, when the extravagant stick tosses go wrong... Along with the rock, there are big hits of country in what Cox and band do. Underlying it all is a big pop sensibility.
If I am honest, I would be unlikely to listen to Cox or Stephen at home but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the craft and skill in what they do, nor does it mean that I can’t enjoy the live show. Both are entertainers who could well go down a storm at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, on Later... or on Radio 2’s daytime playlist.
