Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

You can plan your day, your week or even your life with the studious dedication normally reserved for the serious and the serial horse race gambler. You can study the form, you can see an outside bet that just comes across as being a terrific deal and one that blossoms in front of you, or even just continue to play safe and follow the absolute favourite around forever and yet from out of nowhere someone comes along and upsets all you know and perhaps believe in and gives a superb performance least when you expected it.

January 2016 has not been that pleasant a start for music world wide, the loss of heroes is one that will resonate for a long time and yet music will always live on, music will always throw someone else into your life in which to temper the January blues and the hardships of storm tossed creativity; music has a way of surviving and in Erin Rowlands, a surprise and last minute addition to the Thursday night Zanzibar line up, the music flowed like silk being lifted over water and the dichotomy of gentleness and strength was in full observance for the Zanzibar crowd.

Not one for performing perhaps on such a scale, Ms. Rowlands captured the essence of beautifully crafted songs and even tackled the enormity of a difficult cover, that of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Games, without a break of sweat of worry or concern appearing on the faces of the crowd intent on hearing the late addition take hold of the microphone and stage with ease and pleasure.

With a set list that included the songs Lost and Found, We’ve Got Moonlight, the temptation of I Don’t Mind, I Wish and Leave You Behind all making their mark on the evening, the question of where can this song writer go from here is paramount. This is a performer who should certainly be seen much more often around the venues of Liverpool, one who deserves to be listened to and nurtured; for if she isn’t it would be a tremendous waste.

Erin Rowlands was an enjoyable addition to the night at Zanzibar, one in which was a great surprise to witness.

Ian D. Hall