Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Brighton may seem a world away from the banks of the Mersey, from the area that first nurtured the beautiful talent residing in Niamh Jones, yet the similarities between the two places are easily seen, both have suffered at the hands of those who believe that the past must be replaced with something unrecognisable, both have an all encompassing nature and both have taken in those who have added greatly to the charm and distinction to the area; Brighton could be seen in many ways as the Liverpool of the South, surrounded by the genteel and supposedly refined, its greatness stems from its ability to make anyone feel welcome.
It is a sentiment, a perfect emotion in which Niamh Jones comes through with honour, her music has always seeped into the heart unannounced, has always had a reaction in the mind in which it has been impossible to ignore and now, despite being so far from home, she continues to install a sense of love into the audience with her live sets.
Coming home after time away can be hard, it is not easy to step back into a life that has been perhaps wiped away gently, that has been removed because life is ever changing, ever evolving and the world will never stand still long enough for someone to catch up upon, yet for Ms. Jones there remains a rope, an anchor, which will forever tether her and keep her grounded, no matter how far she leaves Merseyside behind and it is in that that her music will surely always be heard as something to crave, something delicate but hard hitting and fascinating to witness being performed.
Threshold 2017 was a great reintroduction for the Liverpool music lovers, a place to be reacquainted with the sound of Niamh Jones and in the realm of 24 Kitchen Street that familiar handshake of an artist at peace in herself and in the world surrounding her, there could not have been a better nodding of heads and honest applause for her time on stage.
In tracks such as Silver, Neon Clouds, Waves, the exceptional and wonderfully observed Sirens and Tug of War, the lump in the audience’s throat could be seen quivering, this was a homecoming far too long in the making and whilst Brighton has become the place which covets her talent, Liverpool, Merseyside will always be the area which found her first; a daughter of the city is never forgotten, and in Niamh Jones that daughter stands tall and ready to take on the world.
Ian D. Hall