Nigel Stonier at The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

When you are an accomplished and forthright musician and producer, it must be high level of instinct that drives the musical notes down the veins and out into the public arena; especially when you are opening the evening for a very talented lady who can charm the socks off an audience just by opening her mouth and letting the lush tones fall where they may.

For Nigel Stonier, as well as being Thea Gilmore’s extraordinary producer, guitar player and of course husband, he makes superb songs as well and as double headers go, the audience were treated to a night of great music at the Epstein Theatre and not for a single minute did they truly miss being at the Echo Arena for the arrival of Dolly Parton to Liverpool.

Nigel Stonier was on top form, the humour dry and in parts self-effacing, the music accomplished and enjoyable and above all, the perfect opener for Thea Gilmore. The lyrics of the songs played across the half hour set seemingly catching some of the crowd unawares but pleasingly so. It was a case of once played, perhaps forever appreciated, it would be a crime on the basis of this particular gig if his next album didn’t get more of a fan base in Liverpool, for by the end of his set, the relish was almost pouring off the crowd and hanging over them, taunting like a wispy, hot steamy vapour, half hiding in the mist of musical regard.

Nigel Stonier opened his set with the song Cold Beers and Acoustic Guitars and the smile inducing lyrics understandably give food for the imagination of just exactly are the best things in the world when it boils down to it. With tracks such as Where Did I Go Right, Messin’ With Fire, which was originally written with the artist Claire Teal, but stripped back to a more intimate understanding, Love in Hope and the excellent A Lot of Nothing Going On, Nigel Stonier gave a performance worthy of a support act, an act within an act, a diamond in a cluster of precious jewels.

There are those that never go into a venue to see the support act, like many occasions, if anyone missed Nigel Stonier as they weighed up the main gig in their mind, then they missed a decent man give a very cool performance.  Not to be missed!

Ian D. Hall