The Troubadour gig review August 15th 2006

 David performed 6 songs: One Old Soul, Goodbye Baby, Insomnia, Time, Northern Lights, White Noise.
My favourite gig so far – awesome venue.

I arrived early to savour the atmosphere, look at the newspaper clippings of Paul Simon who charged £7 when he played here. This was expensive as £5 was the going rate! Hendrix and Dylan also played here – and more recently artists like Sting.
From the outside it looks like a quaint old dark-green painted delicatessen with colourful jugs in the window. The walls are hung with memorabilia and photos. I feel thrilled just to be there. Its one of the best venues I’ve been at, full of character and atmosphere.

The venue itself is down in the basement where we can get something to eat when the doors open at 8. A very classy venue with alcoves, although small and a bit dark for photos. Other artists performing were soul singer Alice Shaw, two bands and a special mention for Billy who sang really well to start the show and also compared the show ( another big Dylan fan, we were exchanging Dylan songs and thoughts on his awesome book Chronicles), BUT mostly for his entertaining us after the gig with a magic session! thanks!

David performed third.
David likes to be a perfectionist, but unfortunately John had set his guitar a tone up – at least I think that’s what was wrong – and had to spend time re-tuning it with his head dropped low over his guitar. But for me it added a realness and gave David a chance to shine! When John does start to play the energy level goes up a notch, very effective. I love the sound at live gigs over polished studio recordings. OK it wasn’t a perfect set, but we all loved the feel of it. It felt like they love performing the songs and performing together.

The set included One Old Soul, Goodbye Baby, Insomnia, Time, Northern Lights and White Noise. For Northern Lights David sang wonderfully, with belief and his perfect sense of timing. When John comes in they harmonise so well. Insomnia is another favourite with fans, gripping vocals – I can just hear the backing in my head. A young professional looking couple arrived shortly after their set and the girl was disappointed at missing David. I let her hear my clips and she was impressed, and they knew David had been on a pop Idol show of some kind. I chatted with a few people there - it was a very sociable place, and there seemed to be good vibes around David.

I felt David played with rare energy and connected well to the audience. I loved the set.