Emily Barker & Band
Northern Rock Foundation Hall
The Sage
Gateshead, Uk

2017-12-01

I've long been a fan of Emily. Like a lot of people, found her via thw Wallander theme and...never looked back really. Adored what she did with The Red CLay Halo. Still do. The last couple of years have seen her change direction somewhat. For me, whilst still enjoyable, I miss the sound of the Halos...rich strings, accordian, flute and the harmonies of Angels.
Regardless of the places I favour that Emily passes through on her musical journey, I'll always follow her. She means what she does, she's always friendly and accessible and we should celebrate and support talent of this type. Always come away from her gigs glad that I'd gone (and, invariably with a fist full of "merch" and a smile).
This is very much a "Tyne-Tees" production, my partner in this particular crime being the inimitable Boro Bri...Teeside's answer to Storm Thorgerson and who's been following Emily for even longer Than I have.
The Northern Rock Foundation Hall is a lovely room. A wood-lined cube, for want of a better description. All the acoustics of the main hall, but far more intimate. Not quite sold out, but a warm, healthy quorum nevertheless in attendance.
Despite initial...reservations about the latest album "Sweet Kind Of Blue", it all makes sense when done live. She's been playing these numbers a while now, and is more relaxed and lends more of "herself" to the performances as a consequence. The album gets a decent airing, with anecdotes behind a number of the tunes along the way. The supporting cast in the band work really well. They know how to play, and when to play and generate quite a "groove".
Mind, whilst seeing these tunes sung live shone new light on them, tunes like "Little Deaths" still really hit the spot, although a new take on "Sunrise" from the new album was...quite a moment too.
Another fabulous night of entertainment, another evenng when I was glad I'd gone...and another fist full of merch (including a bag of coffee beans).
Emily's a class act, a fine writer and performer, and lovely to boot. What's not to like...?

01 - Dear River
02 - Tomorrow Be Now
03 - Hold On
04 - No 5 Hurricane
05 - Sister Goodbye
06 - If We Forget To Dance
07 - Letters
08 - Over My Shoulder
09 - Little Deaths
10 - Nostalgia
11 - Change
12 - Ghost Narrative
13 - More
14 - Sweet Kind Of Blue
15 - Sunrise
16 - Encore Break
17 - Precious Memories
18 - Disappear

Emily Barker - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Lukas Drinkwater - Bass, Double Bass, Vocals
Pete Roe - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Rob Pemberton - Drums

Lineage :

SP-CMC-4U >
TASCAM DR-40 >
Sound Forge Pro 10 >
Trader's Little Helper (level 8) >
Torrent Site

Get out there and support these artists. So much fun, so little money, like minded souls...and remember to come away with a fist full of merch to keep them on the road.