Shining in The Caves Light
Elles Bailey – The Caves, Edinburgh, 16th March 2023
Elles Bailey – The Caves, Edinburgh, 16th March 2023
Travelling into Edinburgh to see multi UK Blues & UK Americana award winning songstress Elles Bailey for, remarkably, the first time, this reviewer was reflecting, through her smoky vocal style, songwriting talents and albums such as the critically accliamed Shining In The Half Light, how exceptional an artist she is.
That said there is always that little part of your brain that brings on the trepidation that a live performance won’t match up.
Fair to say that is not the case with Elles Bailey and her band.
Special mention first however to support act, Morganway.
The Caves audience were treated to a more stripped back version of the Americana rock/ country band for this performance (singer SJ Mortimer and guitarist Kieran Morgan performing as a duo as opposed to the full six-piece) but either way this is a quality act (no strangers to awards themselves, the band won Best Group at the 2021 British Country Music Awards; they also performed at Country2Country London this year).
The duo delivered a thoroughly enjoyable and impressive set, which acted as a great advertisement for the uninitiated who have not seen or heard the band.
For Elles Bailey’s spring 2023 UK tour the focus was on latest album, the aforementioned and critically acclaimed Shining in the Half Light.
A year on from SITHL’s original release has proven to be the perfect time to tour the album as a Deluxe Edition with four additional tracks (plus some live performances) has now been released, dovetailing with this tour.
All four new tracks (two original, two covers) are excellent, which meant it was particularly pleasing to see & hear all four showcased within the set list, with rootsy lullaby 'Spinning Stopped' a highlight of the entire set.
Elles Bailey sang the lyric (about becoming a mother in the crazy time of a world stuck in limbo during a pandemic – new life bringing some joy and meaning to that otherwise unpredictable time) with genuine feeling and meaning, as she does in all her performances. She really pulled the audience in on this one.
The two covers recorded for SITHL Deluxe Edition were equally standout.
John Martyn’s 'Over the Hill' sported an up-tempo, roots 'n' roll arrangement (which, dare I say, may even be preferable to the late and legendary Martyn’s original) while Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Long As I Can See The Light' was accompanied by some great piano from Jonny Henderson.
(It's not coincidence both songs lyrically tell of travelling home or a homeward journey; Elles Bailey (pandemic lockdowns notwithstanding) seems to live her life on the road).
That said there is always that little part of your brain that brings on the trepidation that a live performance won’t match up.
Fair to say that is not the case with Elles Bailey and her band.
Special mention first however to support act, Morganway.
The Caves audience were treated to a more stripped back version of the Americana rock/ country band for this performance (singer SJ Mortimer and guitarist Kieran Morgan performing as a duo as opposed to the full six-piece) but either way this is a quality act (no strangers to awards themselves, the band won Best Group at the 2021 British Country Music Awards; they also performed at Country2Country London this year).
The duo delivered a thoroughly enjoyable and impressive set, which acted as a great advertisement for the uninitiated who have not seen or heard the band.
For Elles Bailey’s spring 2023 UK tour the focus was on latest album, the aforementioned and critically acclaimed Shining in the Half Light.
A year on from SITHL’s original release has proven to be the perfect time to tour the album as a Deluxe Edition with four additional tracks (plus some live performances) has now been released, dovetailing with this tour.
All four new tracks (two original, two covers) are excellent, which meant it was particularly pleasing to see & hear all four showcased within the set list, with rootsy lullaby 'Spinning Stopped' a highlight of the entire set.
Elles Bailey sang the lyric (about becoming a mother in the crazy time of a world stuck in limbo during a pandemic – new life bringing some joy and meaning to that otherwise unpredictable time) with genuine feeling and meaning, as she does in all her performances. She really pulled the audience in on this one.
The two covers recorded for SITHL Deluxe Edition were equally standout.
John Martyn’s 'Over the Hill' sported an up-tempo, roots 'n' roll arrangement (which, dare I say, may even be preferable to the late and legendary Martyn’s original) while Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Long As I Can See The Light' was accompanied by some great piano from Jonny Henderson.
(It's not coincidence both songs lyrically tell of travelling home or a homeward journey; Elles Bailey (pandemic lockdowns notwithstanding) seems to live her life on the road).
Outside of the SITHL songs, of which the bluesy swagger of set opener 'The Game' and the rugged Delta blues stomp of 'Stones' (featuring some great slide guitar from Joe Wilkins) were picks of a great bunch, a few earlier album fan favourites were performed.
Older highlights included the gritty and slightly southern 'Medicine Man' from 2019's Road I Call Home (a title that reinforces the "life on the road" comment) and an excellent band performance of soulful ballad 'Perfect Storm,' from 2017’s Wildfire album.
There was also a great encore in the shape of Mary Gauthier’s delicate & poignant 'Mercy Now' (originally recorded for Elles Bailey’s Ain't Nothing But lockdown/ covers performances) and another SITHL gem, the Nashville styled rock 'n' roll boogie of 'Sunshine City.'
Elles Bailey is a fantastically talented performer with a great band; additionally, the set was beautifully paced, with every song feeling like it was exactly where it should be for maximum effect.
Miss Bailey is also a down to earth and very approachable artist who engages with her fans throughout the whole gig, as emphasised by the through-the-crowd walkabout (embracing audience members while singing to them during her performance of soul-groover 'Help Somebody') where the crowd parted like the Red Sea for her (leading to her saying she "felt like Moses!").
In short, this was yet another successful show for Elles Bailey, as witnessed and welcomed by a packed house Shining In The Caves Light of what is a beautiful venue in Edinburgh.
If you haven't already caught Elles Bailey live I urge you to do so. Her wonderfully smoky voice and excellent song delivery will welcome you into her 'Wolfpack' of fans from the first note of the first number.
John McIntyre
FabricationsHQ
All Photos – John McIntyre Shutter Time Photography/ Stage Time Promotions
https://www.facebook.com/stphqphotos
Older highlights included the gritty and slightly southern 'Medicine Man' from 2019's Road I Call Home (a title that reinforces the "life on the road" comment) and an excellent band performance of soulful ballad 'Perfect Storm,' from 2017’s Wildfire album.
There was also a great encore in the shape of Mary Gauthier’s delicate & poignant 'Mercy Now' (originally recorded for Elles Bailey’s Ain't Nothing But lockdown/ covers performances) and another SITHL gem, the Nashville styled rock 'n' roll boogie of 'Sunshine City.'
Elles Bailey is a fantastically talented performer with a great band; additionally, the set was beautifully paced, with every song feeling like it was exactly where it should be for maximum effect.
Miss Bailey is also a down to earth and very approachable artist who engages with her fans throughout the whole gig, as emphasised by the through-the-crowd walkabout (embracing audience members while singing to them during her performance of soul-groover 'Help Somebody') where the crowd parted like the Red Sea for her (leading to her saying she "felt like Moses!").
In short, this was yet another successful show for Elles Bailey, as witnessed and welcomed by a packed house Shining In The Caves Light of what is a beautiful venue in Edinburgh.
If you haven't already caught Elles Bailey live I urge you to do so. Her wonderfully smoky voice and excellent song delivery will welcome you into her 'Wolfpack' of fans from the first note of the first number.
John McIntyre
FabricationsHQ
All Photos – John McIntyre Shutter Time Photography/ Stage Time Promotions
https://www.facebook.com/stphqphotos