Little Sparrow at the Studio 2, Liverpool 2014. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Although some artists grow on you over time, there is an argument for the thought that your first opinion of them is normally the one that is correct. With life becoming far too fast to keep up at times before the next trend or even whim, the next vogue act or person in favour on television. Sometimes you have to make a stand, draw a long line around yourself and say, bear with me as I really want to savour this thanks and in Little Sparrow, the line demands to painted over in several coats of luminous yellow paints and a few traffic stops signs flashing stop for good measure.
With Little Sparrow’s album only just having come out in the last few days, the audience inside Studio 2 were treated to a collection of songs which highlighted the vast appeal and allure that this singer/songwriter has. Joined by the magnificent Sarah Dale on cello, Little Sparrow played to a select and approving crowd in the comfortable setting of the studio that has housed so many household names, been the mechanical glue in recording some of the very finest albums over the years.
Sarah Dale on cello at Studio 2, Liverpool. Photograpgh by Ian D. Hall.
The city of Liverpool may have been celebrating Liverpool Football Club’s finest season for many years but inside that auspicious space the outside world didn’t matter; time didn’t exist for a few hours. The world was but a distant fond memory, the neglected planet and all its problems for a short while was left behind as the tremendous tones of Little Sparrow filled every available inch of space and enthused the seated crowd to the point of perception of making the circle which was built to keep the rush out for a while, even bigger and mounting more guards at his broadest perimeter.
Little Sparrow played songs such as Polly, The Flame, the gorgeous Sending the Message, Struck Gold and the Ovid like descriptive power of The Hunted with such intensity and panache that was thoughtful, measured and utterly beautiful. The combination of voice, acoustic guitar and cello showing yet again what can be achieved when the electricity needed to produce a great night is taken down to its lowest level and the natural energy of the performer allowed to rise almost exponentially.
The world is fast paced, so much of it of our awkward making, yet somewhere in the midst of making sure we are ahead of the ticking clock, we can and must allow the type of musical consideration that Little Sparrow offers.
Ian D. Hall