Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
For the purists of such things, it takes at least a long weekend to get lost in the thoughts and melee that Amsterdam has to offer before time spent there can make the foundation of songs in which to be immersed in. One night surely cannot be enough, it’s barely enough time to find the mayonnaise at Schipol Airport for a plate of chips, take in the pleasantries that the cobbled stones provide the abundance of cyclists as on road entertainment or to savour the well founded truth that the Dutch are arguably some of the nicest people in the world and yet One Night in Amsterdam is all that is needed to understand that Ian Siegal’s second live album in under a year is an absolute belter.
Following on from the May 2014 release of One Man, One Guitar, Ian Siegal must have arguably found the relentless pressure that comes with a live recording so rewarding that this aural sequel, a continuation of auditory pleasure, is more than a music release, it is an invitation to find out the next stage of live performances take place and to bag a spot as close to the man to revel in the experience first-hand.
The difference between the two albums though is not in terms of sound, or indeed in the way that the music captures the reality of touring but in the way that Ian Siegal can be seen as a man for all seasons. He is the troubadour on stage on his own playing to his own whims and determination, and the musician who is so adept at bringing out the best in all those around him, both on stage and in the audience, that to suggest otherwise is almost a sacrilege.
Listening Ian Siegal is to understand the importance he has in the world of the Blues, a hero to so many and this new live album underpins that fact. Tracks such as Brandy Balloon, Kingdom Come, the superb and tantalising Queen of the Junior Prom, and the majesty in which he holds court in songs such as Tom Russell’s Gallo Del Cielo and the sheer abundance of one his own personal heroes’ tracks Raskolnikov’s Temporary all capture the sentiment of beauty that Mr. Siegal plays and is to be admired for.
One Night in Amsterdam may not seem enough to get under the skin of Dutch courage and spirit but its more than enough to know that live, whether on his own or as a full band, few can top Ian Siegal for sheer depth of character and ability.
Ian Siegal’s One Night in Amsterdam is released on March 9th 2015. Ian Siegal’s March 2015 tour kicks off in Chester on Tuesday 17th March at the Live Rooms. Full tour details can be found online at www.Iansiegal.com.
Ian D. Hall