Review - David the Bedford 13th July 2006 –
(David performed six new songs: One Old Soul,
Not Your Son, Lady Lullaby, Northern Lights, Time and White Noise)

‘David’s sensitive yet edgy, personal piano-based songs and soaring vocals.'

David was nervous about this return to performing, although he looked well and happy. The audience were very responsive and the songs were well received. David has taken his new sound raw and acoustic, and his new sound is truly involving, authentic, and distinctive, combining a contemporary feel with his Scottish roots. His new songs speak from the heart and not only is there a Scottish lilt to David’s voice, but there is a Scottish feel to the new songs.

Since working as a writer with Universal David has been exploring different musical avenues. They were playing around in the studio with a rockier sound, when David felt the more acoustic sound worked better with his very melodic songs. This change of direction then effected his writing and inspired these new songs.
The new sound is on an entirely different level to anything that David has done before. He has a talent for striking piano riffs and writes melodies that linger; his new songs are not only journeys of discovery, but beautiful, passionate and more rounded, and fit together in perfect harmony. His vocals are full of feeling and honesty. He sang for the songs.

He breaks the singer-songwriter mould, with energy and drive to his songs. There are several moments during the set when I felt close to tears.

 David seems more at ease and comfortable in his own skin, and the new sound has a maturity and openness about it, his voice carrying both a vulnerability and an edge. There is a magic intensity to David’s music that is both soothing and comforting.
There are new heartfelt songs like Northern Lights, and Lady Lullaby which work brilliantly live, with moving piano playing, and the emotions of One Old Soul, Not Your Son, and Time.

David is not just an Ordinary Boy, he has an amazing voice.

Lets hope it is not too long a wait for this long over-due album!!
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Bedford Report -
There was a definite relaxed buzz about the venue but it appeared that David was a bag of nerves! Some of the fans were also a bag of nerves, myself included!

 I met Phyllis and Heather at the bar and then Amanda, Bet and Marian arrived. It was a lovely surprise to see Bet again after so long. It was lovely for the fans to meet up again – and to see many familiar faces turning up – that déjà vu feeling. We were very excited at the prospect of hearing David’s new songs at LONG long last!!

It was also fun to meet up with Jay, Jake, Nate, John and many other familiar faces. Jake is expecting his first baby next month, so I congratulated him on that, big changes ahead for him! Jay looked very happy and his band were playing Bush Hall the following week. I spoke to Nate also and he seemed very happy. He said at long last things were taking off for him in Europe. He looked very well. And of course the man of the moment Mr Kielty who's musical the Sundowe has won the Scottish Quest for a new musical! He had had his hair cut and was his usual bouncy self. He said he would like to include bongos and a bass player eventually to the acoustic set. It was also nice to meet Paul who had travelled down from Newcastle.

This new set of songs felt like David has arrived and also like hearing the real David for the first time, raw and acoustic.
Pauline

 PS I took the fast train the first time to London, and I recommend it a lot. It is loads cheaper ( flying also include parking charges and many other expenses, plus hanging around waiting.) The train only takes 5 hours and is quieter than flying.