Jo Bywater, Threshold 2015, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Jo Bywater stands aloft on the stage at Constellations and the world feels as though it is about to shift, quake and feel the pressure of talented guitar fury. To be fair to Ms. Bywater, whichever stage she graces, that same feeling emanates from the tips of her fingers to the assembled crowd, it is not new but it is surely immensely powerful and as part of the fifth year of Threshold, that guitar fury, not thrashed, not beaten, just quiet reflective anger but held in a song which sounds as sweet as the first drops of rain after a long protracted drought, is as needed as the very act of breathing, it is a Liverpool soul.

Weather though conspires against the very best, wind and cold, perhaps a finger picker’s worst nightmare, is a harsh and mean spirited mistress and it was soon evident to Ms. Bywater that the plan had to change. With the very cool Silence Changed quickly out of the way, old school Jo as she called herself came out of hiding and the anger welling up heroically, swelled and swayed. The wind and March cold would never stand a chance against this performer. The resoluteness of the songs, beautifully played, emphasised, almost dramatic and collar seizing, laid waste of the wind coming in of the Mersey River.

With Empty Promises, the superb Wave and the very early knockout song of Disclaimer being played, Jo Bywater was not just heroic in adversity, she highlighted the resilience that lives within her frame, within her soul. No matter the challenge, from dealing with young, inexperienced University radio presenters with kindness and stern affection to showing that the weather in this country may have a mind of its own but can still be tamed by the roar of a lioness, Jo Bywater stands aloft, untarnished, unbridled and able to spread hope in performance.

An absolute gift of a set, one in which despite the elements conspiring against her, Ms. Bywater’s natural ability shone through with great determined courage.

Ian D. Hall