Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
There is a quiet, but still audible to those listening with trepidation and the silent thanks of steely fortitude in such matters, countdown before Jessie Solange kicks off the Wednesday showcase with a smile on her face and a quick word for the audience who made their way to the Paul McCartney Auditorium.
The smile, gracious, burning with intensity and commitment was encapsulated and framed in that moment, the countdown had indeed begun but it was signalled by Irish musical desire rather than the metallic tones of worry captured by those wanting to get the night underway. It was that intense drive and glimmering sense of fun in the eye of the musician that made her a joy to listen to as she cleared the way for all to follow her on a Wednesday afternoon in which the sun beamed down with as much radiating beauty as had been seen for months.
If there was tension in the air, if there was any sign of pressure to be felt in the venue, then none of it emanated from the stage. The anxiety that could be teasing experienced was in the hearts of those that had come to watch Ms. Solange perform, for those who hadn’t been able to make the journey from across the Irish sea and who sat nervously waiting for the feed to come through as the talk of 30 seconds became a whispered one moment in time, that anxiety, though real and understandable, was eased and then dissipated by the songs that echoed round the room as if being shot out time and time again from an stoppable cannon.
Songs such as Travelling On, Letting Go, Deidra’s Song, the charming but heart pounding Before You Love Anybody Else and Try were greeted with the authority of appreciation and the cheer of admiration rightly deserved.
Music can be a division as well as a salvation, it is rare for songs to contain both aspects and be performed with confidence and the rubber stamp of fragile beauty. In Ms. Solange’s music, the division is felt keenly, it drives home the underlying anger at life’s indiscretions and inequality but also reminds the listener that above all, love must overcome. For Jessie Solange, as she leaves L.I.P.A. love for her music will set a clear path for her to enjoy.
For anyone seeing this charming performer for the first time, love was easily defined and captured. Commitment to a new songwriter complete in many hearts and minds!
Ian D. Hall