Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Leanne Robinson’s voice might still be resonating around the confines of Mello Mello for about a week after Sound City packs away its bags and heads off into the sunset with the glowing knowledge of a job well done. Such was the passion in which Ms. Robinson sang; the fever in her voice and the very cool and confident way in which she holds herself made this young woman a great asset to Sound City.
No matter the song and more than ably assisted by Matt Hanson on acoustic guitar, Leanne Robinson took the audience, who should be congratulated for making the most of the early start to the Saturday part of the festival, down a route that may have been unexpected but not unwelcome and as the set went on, the confidence, the female swagger become brighter and more illuminating.
Even with a couple of covers thrown into the session, nothing could take away the love and respect that was felt for the woman with a voice that rivalled any her peers or more importantly those she herself holds in high esteem. Although Leanne will readily admit she is at the very beginning of her journey, the time will come if she plays her choices right she may well emulate these figures and on the showing of her time on stage for Sound City, that is a possibility.
In amongst her own songs such as the opener of Barriers, Taking It Back, which is on the new E.P. and the storming Last Love, stood an impressive version of the Oasis track Don’t Look Back In Anger. Oasis are certainly their own band and very few people really carry it off in the same rich vein but Leanne did something very clever, by not only slowing down the song, she gave it a more smoother, less grinding and guttural edge which made it enjoyable and pleasing in a way that hadn’t been done before.
Leanne’s set though stood on its own terms, her music soulful, blistering with energy and above all a confidence that surely only grow. A wonderful surprise to catch live and it is just unfortunate that there were not more people at Mello Mello at this point to catch a young woman who defines her chosen genre as they missed a great treat.
Ian D. Hall