Some live shows entertain you, others make you stop, listen and feel every word.
Some live shows entertain you, others make you stop, listen and feel every word.
Last night at The Gaiety in Southsea, FREEBIRD a Tribute to Eva Cassidy was very much the latter.
I first saw Zoe A Lindsay perform FREEBIRD at its opening show at Hanger Farm earlier this year. I was impressed then, but this performance felt like the show had moved to another level. A huge part of that came from the addition of the live band.
Zoe was joined by three incredibly accomplished musicians. J Fashole Luke on piano and backing vocals, Eric Rupert on bass and Ben Kill on drums and vocals.
And these are not simply musicians brought in to fill out the sound.
J Fashole-Luke is a multi instrumentalist who has performed across Europe and at some very well known festivals and venues. His career has included appearances at Glastonbury, Isle of Wight Festival and Ronnie Scott’s as well as BBC Two’s Later with Jools Holland. He has also worked with artists including Alexandra Burke, Dolly Parton and Usher.
Ben Kill brought another layer to the evening on drums. His experience includes performances at venues such as the Barbican, The Vortex and 606 Club along with appearances at Glastonbury, Victorious and Isle of Wight Festival.
I also had the chance to spend some time talking with bassist Eric Rupert, and you very quickly realise just how much musical history sits behind the man holding that double bass.
Eric has spent more than three decades working as a touring and studio bassist. His career has included work with some extraordinary names including Dolly Parton, Roger Daltrey and Dizzy Gillespie as well as Dr John, Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson. He has performed everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall to the Hollywood Bowl and Glastonbury.
During our conversation Eric also shared some fascinating stories from his career, including his own connection with Eva Cassidy and working around artists including Blondie. Hearing some of those experiences before watching him perform made his involvement in FREEBIRD feel particularly special.
Together, the band added an entirely new dimension to Zoe’s performance.
The piano, upright bass and drums never competed with Zoe’s voice, they supported it.
At times they were incredibly subtle, then moments later the whole sound opened up beautifully. It gave songs I had already heard Zoe perform at Hanger Farm a completely different depth.
But FREEBIRD is about much more than simply performing Eva Cassidy’s songs.
Through the evening Zoe tells Eva’s story between the music, sharing parts of her life and giving context to the songs. That narrative and biography was fascinating and Zoe delivered it in such a natural way that it never felt like you were being given a history lesson. Instead, you were being taken through somebody’s life.
There were moments during songs where the intimate audience was so quiet you genuinely could have heard a pin drop.
That says a lot.
The set travelled through so many of the songs associated with Eva Cassidy. Songbird, Blue Skies, Ain’t No Sunshine, Wade in the Water, People Get Ready, Danny Boy, Time After Time, True Colours and Autumn Leaves all featured during the first half.
After the interval we heard Fields of Gold, Tall Trees in Georgia, Imagine, I Know You By Heart, Cheek to Cheek, Honeysuckle Rose, Wonderful World, Wayfaring Stranger, Over the Rainbow and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
There is a lovely balance between soul, jazz, blues and folk throughout the show.
What perhaps makes FREEBIRD different from many tribute shows, though, is the very personal story behind it.
Zoe discovered Eva Cassidy’s voice when she was around 15 and had wanted for many years to create a show celebrating her music. But FREEBIRD also has a much deeper meaning.
FreeBird was the Reiki name used by Zoe’s mum, who sadly passed away when Zoe was younger. The show is dedicated to her memory.
Once you know that, some of the emotion you see and hear on stage makes even more sense.
This is not someone simply standing on stage singing somebody else’s songs. There is clearly something very personal attached to the music and you could feel that emotion throughout the evening.
At times you could see it in Zoe.
And looking around the room, you could see it in the audience too.
There were certainly a few tears.
Perhaps the greatest endorsement of what Zoe has created comes from Eva Cassidy’s brother, Dan Cassidy, who has praised Zoe for capturing the soul, spirit and beauty he remembers in his sister’s music.
Having now seen FREEBIRD twice, first at Hanger Farm and now with the full band at The Gaiety Southsea, it is great to see how the production is developing.
If last night’s performance is anything to go by, Somerset has something rather special heading its way next.
FREEBIRD comes to Strode Theatre , Somerset on Friday 16 October.
If you love Eva Cassidy’s music, or simply appreciate a live show where the music, musicians and story genuinely mean something, this is one worth seeing.
A beautiful evening of live music, storytelling and quite a lot of emotion.
Scenic Eye
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