Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Shannen Bamford’s E.P., Paper Planes, was one of the surprise wonders of 2013. The intensity in which she put together a cracking set of songs was gently effective and musically comfortable, a real find.

As the young woman took to the stage at Zanzibar this thought would have been paramount. She has more than proved herself as an artist with a future ahead of her, her music, at times beguiling, serene, ethereal and unflustered but always a pleasure to listen too, especially when the trusted piano is or keyboard is there to soothe the audience down after a bustling set by ME and Deboe. It is an effect, the delicate nature of the artist’s songs that calm the nerves, ease the tension of all around and make the audience, should they really wish too, take in fully the words of a lyric that add something to life, if not its meaning then at least the reason.

After all, life doesn’t always have to be one of perpetual motion, of constant speed or the meaningless pursuit of productivity; sometimes the flowers have to grow around you to make you stop and breathe.

Although missing her superb cello player, Stephanie E. Kearney, who provided the strings for Ms. Bamford’s E.P., the muse was alive and well and added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. Tracks such as If You Want, the superb Control, the deftness and subtly of Change and the beautifully performed Without You kept those who went to listen to some quality music and away from the never-ending rain, intrigued, interested and fully fascinated.

Shannen Bamford is one of those special artists who seems to instinctively understand the relationship between musician, song and audience, the desirability of not being made to feel rushed in the pursuit of a great set and above all, the dedication needed to rise above what is thrown at you and give even more of your life to it. For this alone Shannen Bamford should be congratulated. Super stuff.

Ian D. Hall