I would be amazed if there is anyone in the country who is not aware of him as a result of media saturation recently and much hype. Billed as the saviour of soul we are about to find out if he can live up to the hype.
Well he certainly opens the set impressively coming on stage solo with just a guitar for accompaniment. Belting out an impassioned version of ‘Reuben’s Train’. Bedecked in a T Shirt that resembles one of those Magic Eye pictures he is the joined by the band.
What follows is an hour or so of OK soul tunes that don’t really move you or force you to take that step back and think wow. There are moments of course when he hits the highs and really unleashes the voice but they are few although the breakthrough single ‘Human’ is top drawer.
It’s difficult to know whether you want him to let go and really belt out the songs or take a step back, shut the band down, and build some intimacy and feeling.
The crowd love it though and maybe I’m just a cynical old man but I think the quality of songs needs to improve if he is going to sustain the current industry train he is riding. I suggest that they go back to listen to how it should be done from the sixties.
Clearly a talent and with more consistently good tunes and a bit more felling he could be the real deal.
A good not great night and keep on rockin y’all