Isn't it a joy when you find that an artist is even better live than on disc? This is what I found when I went to see Jack Savoretti at The Globe in Cardiff.
I have been a fan of Jack since his first album back in 2007 with the delicate Between The Minds. Over the past 8 years Mr Savoretti has been growing as a songwriter and performer. His first album received plenty of airplay and support from the likes of BBC Radio 2 but subsequent albums, despite showing an increase in quality and scope have failed to have the impact they've deserved. Lost in the growing number of Singer/Songwriters currently plying their trade from the UK.
However, with his just released new album Written In Scars, Jack has produced an album worthy of a comeback and the current tour is heavily influenced by the new material with no less than 7 songs appearing in his live show.
As I stated earlier, I was pleasantly surprised at how Jack takes his music up a level in the live performances. He has a boyish charm which is a hit with the female members of the audience, but more of that later.
Jack has wisely chosen several upbeat numbers from his catalogue. The show opens with the title track of the new album, Written In Scars.
The Globe was sold out and the atmosphere was superb with a high percentage of female fans (no surprise there) - and the crowd sang along all night - one of the best crowds for participation I've seen at The Globe. This fed the band who loved the atmosphere and made for a superb night of entertainment.
Jack chose songs from most of his albums but for some reason didn't play anything from his second album, Harder Than Easy.
The band played crowd favourites such as Breaking The Rules, Sweet Hurt & Vagabond but the first half was primarily based on the new album with Back To Me, Fight To The End, Broken Glass & the excellent Hurt.
Jack then chose sing several tracks from his debut album - with just him & his guitar unaccompanied by the band.
They included the sublime Dreamers, Once Upon A Street which led into his version of Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire and finishing off with the excellent Soldier's Eyes.
The band then came back and we were into the new album again with the uptempo run to the end of the show. Here we had The Other Side Of Life & Tie Me Down, by which time the crowd were dancing along to the music, well, as much as you can in a packed venue like The Globe.
At this point Jack commented on how he couldn't keep the button on his shirt done up, only to be greeted with the chant of OFF OFF OFF by the female members of the audience - and a few males too, no doubt! But, he kept is shirt on and finished off with Not Worthy & Knock Knock.
With the crowd now in the palm of his hand, Jack came on for the encore and gave an exceptional performance of Bob Dylan's Nobody Cept You.
The show finally ended with Jack In A Box and the uplifting Come Shine A Light.
Twitter @jacksavoretti
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