Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Miriam Jones & Flocks 11 October 2012

The Live at All Hallows series of gigs returns for our autumn run. We start with a rare trip to Leeds for Canadian singer-songwriter Miriam Jones with support from Leeds's own Flocks. Miriam is probably best know in the UK for her appearances at the Greenbelt arts festival. She's passing through Yorkshire enroute home from Scotland and we jumped at the chance to host her. class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Miriam has a way of singing the soul back home without putting it to sleep. Poppy and light? Yes. Soulful and reflective? Indeed. Folky and human? Absolutely. She has a particular gift for writing earth and angels side by side, and a voice to sound them so. Described in a recent live review as 'Springsteen in a Kitchenette', Jones' skilful and passionate performances (whether as a no-frills bass and acoustic duo or her full-band the Red Sea), along with a vulnerable writing style, never fail to delight her audience. This will be a duo gig with Miriam's husband Jez Carr. Following two studio albums recorded in Canada, (Sign & Semblance 2005 and Being Here 2007) Miriam moved to the UK, wrote an EP (Inside Free 2008), recorded and released a song a month in 2009 (The Solitary Songs), and then finished her third album Fire-Lives in late 2010, subsequently rerecording a couple of tracks at Abbey Road, for radio play. Recorded live in her Oxford terrace with a band of bass, drums, electric guitar and Miriam's own acoustic guitar and straight-forward piano, Fire-lives sparkles with raw spirit and power in a thoughtfully combined set of heartening songs, sometimes buoyant and winsome, at other times slow-burning and dark. "Miriam isn't just mining the usual female singer-songwriter vein. She's got some fresh ideas, rhythmically and harmonically. It was a privilege to be a part of her project. I hope lots of people find this music. It's got beauty and surprise all in one package. Which is a lot like life, right?" Charlie Peacock, Sr. A&R Consultant-Sony/ATV www.miriamjones.com Support is from local 4 piece Flocks. Two of Flocks played LAAH back in January 2012 as members of Hunting Bears: Reece Jacob stepped out from behind the drums back then to treat us to some of his own songs: this has developed into Flocks, and we are delighted to welcome Reece and co back to play for us. http://www.facebook.com/Flocksmusic Doors 7pm, Tickets £5 in advance, more on the door. Buy tickets here!