It is of little surprise that within a few weeks of restrictions easing Emily Barker is out there on the road playing shows to her impatient fan base. This impatience is born from the release of a brand new album in lockdown that is aching to be taken on the road. Of course many fans bought various versions of the album from outlets like the artists own Bandcamp page, but that never really compensates the physical exchange at a gig especially where many of the songs have been showcased.
We had lost count of the number of times this gig at the Kitchen Garden had been postponed. The final potential spanner in the works was avoided with the venue utilising their new outdoor covered patio space and applying creative seating arrangements thus rendering any delay of the infamous June 21st date redundant. By the time Emily and husband Lukas Drinkwater took to the stage, all parties were ready to cast off the frustrations of the last fifteen months and rejoice in a sentimental renewal.
The format, or more aptly formats, discussion always crops up at an Emily Barker gig as we fondly look back at all the different types of shows she has played in the region over the last decade and more. For a change, tonight's wasn't revolutionary, just the standard duo that tends to be the norm in recent times. Likewise there is not a radical change in the quality of the music as it glides on the same lofty plane that has housed it for years. In fact the stripped back lo-fi sound to DARK MURMURATION OF WORDS is very reminiscent of her earlier material when albums such as DESPITE THE SNOW and ALMANAC brought some elegance and grace to the scene she was operating in. We didn't have 'Nostalgia' in the set list tonight, but we were treated to 'Billowing Sea' from the latter of the albums just mentioned.
However this evening, especially in the earlier stages, was all about the new album with songs such as 'Geography', 'Where Have the Sparrows Gone', 'The Woman Who Planted Trees', 'Any More Goodbyes' and 'Sonogram' all moving up the scale now they have the breathing space of the live performance to add to the recorded version. Needless to say, the immaculate delivery was brimming with all the beauty that continues to adorn the music of Emily Barker. The themes carrying on engaging, and hanging onto the coat tails of a creative journey as luscious and compelling as this is the place to be for the chosen few. Although Emily wouldn't mind if there were a few more.
Of course any Emily Barker show is not going to stand still and dwell too much on one facet. We learnt of her latest collaboration with Frank Turner via the song 'Bound for Home' and some of her intermediate old favourites from the DEAR RIVER and SWEET KIND OF BLUE albums kept regular fans happy. The song 'Dear River' is my favourite Emily Barker track born from the time heard live with full electric at her Bromsgrove Halo gig back in 2013. No full on electric tonight I'm afraid but it still sounds great in any form. Also from the album that named this top track we had 'Ghost Narrative', while from the soul album SKOB 'Sister Goodbye' has become a staple and was joined by 'No.5 Hurricane' on this occasion.
While we all have our favourites and the artist has records to sell, sometimes it doesn't matter what is sung such is the captivating presence of a performer so immersed in their art and capable of turning their innate talent to literally anything in the field of the creative song. This is Emily Barker in a nutshell.
Despite being a constant live performer springing up all over the country, solo/duo shows at the Kitchen Garden have been few and far between, if any from memory. Hopefully the magical aura generated from this evening's much loved show will prompt a more frequent return in future years. I'm sure Emily Barker would concur with this sentiment.