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Adam Holmes & The Embers

Venue: The Green Note
Town: London
Date: 2/12/14
Website: http://adamholmesandtheembers.com/

Tucked away in the corner of an incessantly busy Camden Town is a small venue that is home to fine beer, wholesome vegetarian food and outstanding music. Yes, the Green Note is held with high regard by many for maintaining an extremely high standard in everything it does. There was certainly no exception when I went to visit it on the 2nd December. At this stage, Adam Holmes and the Embers are starting to be quite an established and well known act and it was great to see them in an intimate setting like the Green Note.

The opening act was guitarist, singer and song writer Paul Gilbody, (also a member of Holmes' band). Gilbody played a very varied set that employed the accompaniment of a looping pedal, a delay pedal and beatboxing to accompany his rather impressive guitar playing. He brought a high standard of musicianship and entertainment to the support slot.

After the beer and humous filled interval, the main act came on. Adam Holmes and the Embers delivered a set of tasteful country like musical settings to moody lyrics, sparely interspersed with Holmes' dry sense of humour interacting with the audience. One of my highlights was the original song, "I Can't Be Right". This is a great example of how he has a mastery of using brut honesty in his lyrics, which suits the way he conveys words through his voice. Another number that stood out to me in the set was the one and only instrumental. I confess I wasn't expecting a tune from a band who most associate with original songs, so this came as a pleasant surprise. The tune, "Lonesome Eyes", by the late Jerry Holland is widely known by many instrumentalists in traditional music and is one of Holland's most famous melodies. Holmes delivered it in the same openly honest emotional style that he did with his songs, giving the melody little embellishment but a clear shape and structured the phrasing.

A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all and I'm sure that everyone at that gig would now not be able to recommend this band highly enough!

Matt Tighe