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Edwina Hayes played a spellbinding performance to start off the night. A hypnotising voice and melodic guitar picking helped to warm up the crowd. She was followed by Chris Helme (of The Yards and also of increasingly solo fame) who effortlessly thrilled and excited. Supplied with more than enough Dutch courage, Helme was a great act before James Apollo. A personal favourite of mine is Last High which is haunting and beautifully poignant.
His smoky and gravelly voice really gave the impression that these songs were crafted from real life experiences, and performed with such charisma and personality that it was hard not to be entranced.
Apollo, currently based in New York, then came on to a packed room. He has a great number of talented artists who make up his band. On this night he was aided by only three: a drummer (who seemed oddly obsessed with something on the ceiling), a double bassist and a guitarist (who shifted easily between many instruments as well as offering harmonic singing for Apollo).
Described by many as a drifting musician, James Apollo certainly was brimming with such a skill for storytelling and understanding for different musical cultures that can only come from spending a life travelling. He has, apparently, been on the road constantly since the age of sixteen.
An eclectic combination of country and western music with hints of Latin rhythms, topped off with a remarkable voice that forces you to listen, his set blended into a real pleasure for the ears. His smoky and gravelly voice really gave the impression that these songs were crafted from real life experiences, and performed with such charisma and personality that it was hard not to be entranced. Admittedly, as a huge Johnny Cash fan, I may have been more easily won over than others but the crowd certainly made sure he came back for an encore.
Real treats of the gig included The Alamo which was accompanied by Rob Loxley Hughes, (lead singer and multi-talented musician of Idle Jack and the Big Sleep). The set also included a wholly individual approach to Nina Simone’s I Put a Spell on You that was hugely entertaining. Other highlights included Dead Men that slows down the pace but is equally as enthralling with its easy beat and beautiful melody; and Where all Loves Pilgrims Come was another example of an evocative and powerful sung that is given even more emphasis when seen live.
Hopefully James Apollo will be back in York before too long. A memorable live set.
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