Edgar Jones at District. Hope Fest 2015. Photograph by Lis Garrett. Picture used with kind permission by Lis Garrett.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Back in March of this year the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool was treated to the re-emergence of one of its most favourite musicians in the form of Edgar Jones on the stage as he opened the evening for the musical colossus that is Dr. John, it was a return to which many in the home grown audience could, if propriety had been thrown out of the window, have wept with solemn joy at the sight. Many it was to be seen, were certainly on the verge of letting such stifling actions go and no one would have blamed them for being so honest and in touch with their feelings over such a talented man and his much missed voice.

As the darkness of autumn creeps in without a flashlight or a naked candle marking its way, that return was once more seen and enjoyed as Edgar Summertyme Jones opened up the evening at District as part of the 2015 Hope Fest weekend and that same searing voice, the sheer rampant nature of his voice catching the early evening aflame and the sparks of disturbed embers as the voice blew gently upon them, scattered and proclaimed, Edgar Jones has really returned in force.

Many a venue has come under the banner of this year’s Hope Fest, many an artist and band giving up their time for arguably one of the most noblest of causes, a cause that highlights the shame of Government inaction and waste of human potential, of despair that is keenly felt, but for those attending the evening at District, Edgar Jones’ steely resolve, a voice that just sits in the gut and prays with a subtle twinkle was a large part of the evening’s entertainment.

With songs such as Something Inside, What’s A Boy To Do, the excellent Anything Goes and the truth of the evening for Mr. Jones, Hard Act To Follow all being played with so much conviction and raw exuberance, not only has the six month patient wait between performing as support to Dr. John been worth it, the result is one in which to send the message out, Edgar Jones rocks, Edgar Jones is perhaps the act of 2015 in which thought and praise must be all.

An evening of Hope could not have got off to a better start.

Ian D. Hall