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Tom Baxter, purveyor of fine alternative/ folk compositions and his eight strong ensemble of classical and jazz musicians are playing The Amadeus in Maida Vale, London, over three evenings with the intention of releasing a live Ep, Tom Baxter Live @ The Amadeus!
The beautiful venue is welcoming and decorated with softly burning candles, appropriately setting a romantic tone for the evening ahead.
The first on stage tonight is Flomotions’ favourite and Tom’s close friend and sometimes co-writer Sam Semple, who treats us to a four song teaser to include humour drenched ‘Looking For A Band’ and subtly emotional ‘College Girl’.
It’s now time for Mr Baxter to take centre stage, surrounded by carefully chosen skilled band mates and without further ado the air is filled with music.
Tom’s complex, multi layered compositions are in turn elegant and intoxicating, exquisitely punctuated by a piano here, a double bass there and very often embraced by the intricate sound of long standing gifted musical partner Oli Langford’s violin.
On many of the newly written songs, Tom has introduced Spanish guitars for that extra dose of fervency, allowing him to shamelessly display his accomplished guitar playing, and showing the world, rather bluntly, that there are different classes of singer-songwriters.
And let’s not forget Tom’s beloved sister, Vashti’s gracious backing vocals.
Tom is contagiously passionate about his art and much warmth radiates from the stage to add to the already high temperature of the packed room. But for once, far from being unpleasant, the wrapping heat suits Tom’s belief that a good live performance should be relaxed, seductive and equate an emotional tryst.
Tracks come and go, some tried and tested such as ‘This Boy’, ‘Almost There’, ‘Don’t Let Go’ and ‘Day In Verona’, all lifted from first album Feather And Stone, but as expected the bulk of the set is all about newer material, ‘Light Me Up’, ‘The Last Shot’, ‘Skybound’, ‘Too Far Gone’, ‘Icarus Wings’ and personal favourites, opening track ‘Night Like This’, ‘Miracle’, ‘Better’ [a Baxter/ Semple concoction], ‘I Believe’ and feverish ‘Love Is Not Enough’, plus much more....
The set is interspersed with Tom’s funny anecdotes and personal statements.
Tonight I witnessed a brilliant live Ep in the making and enough material to jam pack an album for what will be another essential release from Mr Baxter.
Words: Florence ACHERY
Photos: Kirsten MAVRIC
www.tombaxter.co.uk
www.myspace.com/tombaxter |
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