Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Some will never know the sheer thrill of walking through a venue’s door and being greeted by a fanfare of noise emanating from an excited audience already in the firm grip of the reveal that is about to take place on stage.

Some will feel the tension and the love but never truly understand the belief that entangles the heart and the soul as they watch with closed senses the spectacle and drive…and then there are those who will feel the weakness in their knees, the strength in their very being, and the beauty of the experience, close up and personal, the heady aroma of silk music and playful performance which is akin to a night of heavy drama in a theatre, and be forever captured by love.

For anyone who has had the seismic pleasure of being in the company of Sebastian and The Poor Valley Marauders, the sense of drama is accurately drawn akin to a sizzling night of vaudeville meets high octane production, it has all the mystery of an evening as if perused through the lens of those introduced to sparkling entertainment as the heat of a summer’s night takes the breath away, and the openness of a soul pleading to be heard by those who hold the compass of good fortune.

In Live Vol: 2, erstwhile musician and producer Mark Sebastian D’Lacey brings the gracious and fun sense theatre to the music as tracks such as Angel Eyes, Holding My Breath, Gypsy Soul, Boudoir Stomp, and I Forgive You fill the room of the venue and the listener’s heart with an expression of what can only be described as the fabulous embodiment of entertainment.

The E.P. is not only strong, versatile, and foaming with intricacy, it has that defining emotion that is invaluable in such releases, it is passionate, it has a heart so large that you cannot but help feed off it and feel the pulse of energy that emanates off the stage.

Sebastian and The Poor Valley Marauders are something special, a sight to behold, a sound that bathes in your soul. 

Ian D. Hall