Fan review of the Walpole Old Chapel gig,  31st May '08...

Virtually on the eve of the national release of "Sketch", though not billed as a launch gig, a special performance featuring that CD and some old favourites in an old Chapel.

It is not a conventional venue for a gig nor was the inside layout, as it was untouched from its days as a working chapel, (and still used as such on occasion). Billed as having no electricity - which includes no electric lighting, the Chapel relied on natural light through the large window and tea candles for illumination, and the artists themselves decide how loud they should be as there were no amplifiers to regulate the sound. 

James Hibbins provided the support with a selection of folk songs that are performed by his band Pavlov's Cat which suited the venue well - being in a small village well in to the country. 

AloneMe were assembled in the centre of the chapel and all seated, a first in my experience, and some electricity had been found from somewhere for the keyboards. By now the evening sun was low in the sky through the window behind the band. David had his usual assortment of acoustic guitars to hand and Liz had her standard keyboard and trusty cello, with Simon presiding over a very scaled down drum kit for this gig. Apparently his standard kit would be rather loud in this venue.

The gig was very informal with vocalist Sarah encouraging the audience to move around and be comfortable and relaxed which they duly did. Sarah herself was recovering from a throat infection, not that it showed. On a lovely evening the band started with Summer, which seemed very appropriate. A few songs apart, all of the new “Sketch” CD was performed, however some new songs did get a first airing (one so new the lyric sheet was put on the floor surrounded by candles so it could be seen if required), as did some old favourites, performed in a unique way in fading light which made it hard to see what you had written beyond 9:15pm. 

The songs seemed to have been slowed down and simplified, especially the songs from Sketch where the arrangements are probably more multi layered than the bands earlier CD’s, (which are now available again). A number of songs were introduced with some background information on what they are about. This revealed Hungry Someday to be a song about performing in venues where the audience are more interested in their drink than listening to the band, something many can identify with as an attendee, even if not a band member. 

The end of the gig was in part dictated by the light levels, as there were people upstairs who needed to be able to traverse the staircase carefully, otherwise no doubt Health and Safety could have field day. As professional as ever, this was a nicely judged performance - the songs arranged to be simpler and quieter than as recorded, and often performed live, but the quality of the songs remains undimmed. The Old Chapel provided an acoustically superior, and intimate venue for this special gig.
Roger Winter, Hook, Hants.
 

AcoustiCity Gazette, November 07...

Music-Zine, November/December 07...

Bluesbunny Independent Music Reviews - www.bluesbunny.com, October 07...

Cochester Evening Gazette, 7th September 07...

Musician magazine, September 07...

Panic magazine, August 07...

Fan review of High Barn gig, 8th December 2006...

I have written about Aloneme before so why do I need to provide an update following their sell-out concert at High Barn on 8 December?
Look we know what to expect – great songs, great harmonies and great music – we are perhaps just taking you for granted.
However what we do not expect is a steady stream of “memorable on first hearing” new material delivered as if you have always played them!
What we do not expect is to be surprised that we can almost sing along with them on first hearing – they are that good.
So your faithful followers were given yet another shock on your band’s journey to much wider audiences – you seem to able to just expand your repertoire, maintain the magic and then we all go away wondering when we can buy the material on CD.
I know you have secured the funding for your next recording sessions up in Liverpool (you told us and we were delighted)
Just take your time, let the recording equipment do it’s best to capture what you played last Friday, and the rest will be history.
I have never felt so good hearing live music – this is your gift, just flaunt it and I hope someone out there can just help you with the good fortune – you need nothing else.
Steve Westall, Chelmsford, Essex

Live album review - 'Herts & Essex Music-Zine'...

"This album sees the release of a live recording of Aloneme’s sold-out show at the High Barn venue in May 2006. Since their inception in 2003, the song writing trio of vocalist Sarah Springett, multi-instrumentalist and singer, David Booth, and drummer, percussionist and programmer, Simon Edgoose, (with the addition of Liz Townsend and Dan Pask for live gigs) have been working tirelessly on their brand of sweet acoustic pop, rightfully earning a reputation as a must-see live act. If this live CD release is anything to go by, it is easy to see the appeal.

Album opener ‘What A Day’ introduces the haunting dual vocal harmonies of Sarah Springett and pianist/cellist, Liz Townsend, laid over delicately picked acoustic guitar and the subtle pulsating rhythm of bass guitar and hand percussion. The more up tempo ‘Bulletproof’ follows, which features lush piano melodies and a powerful chorus with an intelligent interplay of male and female vocals reminiscent of the Beautiful South, but with added tenderness. The bittersweet ‘Summer’ is brought to life with a piano introduction before being overtaken by the moody, breathy vocals of the verse and melancholic chorus. Edgoose exhibits his adept percussive skills in ‘Hungry Someday’ with the slap-and-pop rhythm of the congas keeping everything in check. We are also treated to the stabbing accents and sweeping bow of Townsend’s cello, creating a background canvas upon which the rest of the instruments are painted. The beautifully morose ‘Can’t Wait’ contains some truly heartfelt lyrics delivered with real feeling and emotion on top of a stripped down musical ensemble of acoustic guitar and piano. Some moving three-way vocal harmonies bring the song to a dramatic close. What follows, on the other hand, are the rousing ‘Is Is Was’ and ‘Smash Down Doors’ with full-on drum kit action and infectious choruses that make you want to stomp your feet in approving glee. The album closes with ‘Over Half Way Home’, the lyrics of which, encapsulate the feeling of desperately wanting to see a loved one but being delayed in doing so. “The traffic snakes ahead and I’m sick of break light red and I dream of days in bed in your arms,” sings a frustrated Springett – quite a contrast to those in the crowd, who voice rapturous approval between each song.

Crisp production coupled with brilliant musicianship will have many questioning whether this is actually a live recording, such was the polished final result. Live albums are released to serve two roles: first off, to enable those who were at the gig to relive the experience and, secondly, to give those who were not at the gig a taste of what they missed out on. This album succeeds on both counts, but for the latter group especially, it acts as an inspiration to catch the band perform this collection of perfectly penned pop songs at an intimate venue as soon as possible."
(Sebastian Cheek - www.music-zine.com)



Fan review of High Barn gig, 5 May 2006...

I first heard Aloneme in what I would call “Pure Acoustic” mode with Sarah and Dave performing a guest spot at the High Barn 60’s and 70’s night and was totally overwhelmed with their energy, artistry and sound.
Since that night I had made a point of checking them out particularly when I heard they were actually part of a 5 piece band because I thought that if they sounded this good with just two members what must the sound be like with three additional musicians?
The live gig on the 5 May was a revelation – they were all on top form but there was also a magical element about they way they combined their talents to produce a really tight and enthusing sound.
Of course I expected Sarah to sing with passion and style, I expected Dave to play his electro acoustic guitar as if he was playing more than one.
What I did not expect was for Liz (piano/cello) and Dan (bass guitar) to add such an amazing extra dimension to their sound.
And with Simon keeping a delightful rhythm and percussion (as if we needed to have any guide as to the beat and mood!) we were treated to an extraordinary musical performance.
The CD of the live performance, expertly mixed and managed by Simon Allen of High Barn, is one of the few I have heard that gives full justice to this special gig.
So how do they keep up this consistently high standard and still leave you humming their songs, days after their gigs?
I think this is when I (and suspect many others too) realised that we were experiencing a very special band who can not only write their own songs and play them so well but were also able to produce their magic time after time.
So what next?
I would suggest just watch this space……………..I am absolutely convinced that they will “get discovered” and become a regular band gracing the UK airwaves.
And then we will all feel quite special having been there not only at the start of their journey but also quite privileged too in being able to enjoy the exhilaration of the ride along the way…………………
Steve Westall, Chelmsford, Essex
 

Fan reviews of Chelmsford Cramphorn Theatre full band headline, 04.03.06...

"A belated thank you for a splendid gig on Sat!  We thought you were fantastic and have already booked for Hi Barn!  See you there.  It is a travesty that you are not up there with the likes of James Blunt, Cold Play etc. etc.  You will be one day - your fan base is growing with all generations! Good luck and keep up your amazing song writing."

"Congratulations on an excellent night at the Cramphorn Theatre - the first of your acoustic season there.