Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
It has almost become a cliche of its own making, the lockdown, our times concentrated on finding ways to express ourselves without exposing the soul to danger, the mind to harm, the flesh to the invisible barbs hiding in the sunlight; we seek a connection with a deeper and more substantial meaning than just the quick peck on the cheek from life, the thumbs up from a distance and the instant relay of communication from the modern mobile phone; in short we need, in fact we should insist, that life means More Than A One Night Stand.
Some have found ways to be inventive, the creative mind refusing to allow the stationary measure to envelop them, but in terms of the live feel, the glorious result of comradeship that crosses the boundary floor between performer and crowd, there has yet to be a moment where we can fully embrace the restrictions placed upon us.
This is more than understandable, it is the very fabric of our D.N.A., the congregation offering praise, the audience, the crowd, for there is nothing more downbeat than the silence reflected upon when all you can hear is your own encouraging, or demanding, thoughts.
More Than A One Night Stand, more than just a number on stage, the sublime performances of Sunjay have always framed the feeling of honesty and contentment when captured live, or even when in the comfort of your own home via a pair of headphones and the dimmed lights, and in this rare release, Sunjay manages to convey the artistry of his craft, the domain of his humour and the beauty of his voice, whilst adhering to all that our Time is able to throw at us.
Across tracks such as Faith Healer, Love You Like A Man, Down & Out Blues, I’m Into Something Good and the exquisite rendition of Bob Dyan?, this album of covers and strange imaginative times is sheer bliss to the ears, a sense of timeless purity purging the obscurity and loneliness we have been subjected to.
More Than A One Night Stand, a thousand times yes, as the days roll into one another, you will be thankful you asked Sunjay to stop for more than one night.
Sunjay releases More Than A One Night Stand on September 4th.
Ian D. Hall