Eleanor Nelly at Zanzibar in Liverpool. January 2016. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Holding back from praising an artist is perhaps arguably the hardest job when it comes to comes to reviewing, you want the whole world to see what you have seen for a couple of years, the flourishing and blossoming of a musician before your very eyes, you can’t wait to tell those around you just how good they are…but you wait until it’s appropriate to do so; it is only the right thing to do and they in turn reward you with a performance that is measured, controlled and full of illumination.

Eleanor Nelly may be a name that is so familiar to those who find the day strangely missing a beat without a quick peek into any of the music venues in Liverpool and yet this young woman continues to astound as a voice of a youthful Liverpool proceeds in her musical career, it’s not the demureness of her stance before she even lifts a finger to her guitar, it’s the attitude, the change in perception, this is not a young woman going on stage hoping to catch the ear of a new fan or ten, this is a carved out, ready to rumble musician who already has something of the young Janis Joplin about her. It is that beautiful modesty that makes her so impressive and as she entered the January touring fray with the first of two gigs on the night, those who found themselves in the Zanzibar club audience should consider themselves fortunate to have witnessed the true birth of a future great.

Supported by Andrew Waite, Andrew Hawley and Tom Donahue, Ms. Nelly’s lungs must have been transformed to steel on the night as the roar of satisfaction that growled down the microphone was that of a thunderous roar, not so much a star exploding in the vacuum of space but that of a lioness atop of a plateau announcing herself to the world below.

With a new E.P. having been released in time for her 16h birthday already causing a stir, Ms. Nelly and her band played out a set that hit home the anger and love that resides in the youth of the city but with true dedication to satisfying the ears of those prepared to listen. Songs such as Wannabe, the excellent Insane and Loved, Something’s Gotta Give, Blue Eyes and a truly terrific version of The Fratelli’s Whistle for the Choir all left their mark and all were appreciated fully by the Zanzibar crowd.

Sometimes you hold back, sometimes you have to but when finally the time comes, praise is something that should and must be given; Eleanor Nelly is a woman with huge presence, humility and a humble but powerful roar.

Ian D. Hall