First, a disclaimer: this album wasn’t exactly new to these ears. Having been at Whelan’s on the evening of the recording, there is an extent to which I knew in advance what to expect. And was I disappointed? Not on your life. With a capacity crowd adoringly paying tribute to a local lad, it was a genuinely special night.
The beauty of a live album is often in its spontaneity: unique moments captured for posterity. It’s a testament to Gavin’s talent – he’s blessed with a fine voice and real ability as a guitarist – that he could reasonably hope to replicate this show on any given night. But there are special moments too that add that essential x-factor. This recording makes it clear that, as no less a star than Ed Sheeran has opined, Gavin James is a man worth paying attention to.
‘Sun Comes Up’ is a soaring track, while ‘22’ is a touching slice of finely-wrought balladry. The material is consistently strong throughout. And when the crowd finds its voice, like on ‘Say Hello’ or ‘Coming Home’, there’s a special energy-rush. Songs such as ‘Great Escape’, and his cover of ‘The Book of Love’, also deliver a palpable sense of real excitement.
In truth, this album is probably best judged as an trailer for his live shows. In that respect, it’s a roaring success.