Acoustic Soul/Pop artist Adele (née Adele Adkins) visited the historic North Yorkshire walled Roman City of York, playing to a capacity audience, supported by Elviin from South London (vocals & keys) with his rock/soul sound reminiscent of the Kooks and Coldplay, with a Nate James soulful edge. The band sounded well, with Randall Phillips on drums playing a good set, accompanied by Tom Wylds and Tom Warner on guitar. Elviin had a good overall vocal performance, with a little work needed on one or two of the higher/stronger notes, but this didn't detract from the overall sound. They were warmly received after each track, which included "Live It Up", "Control" "That Road," "In Colour" and "The Sun And I." A good performance and with more experience, I’m sure we will be hearing more from Elviin in the near future.
Adele came smiling on to the stage, saying she felt a little nervous. However, the nerves weren’t apparent to us, as she delivered mature and powerful live vocals making it easy to forget she was just nineteen years of age and due to celebrate her 20th Birthday the following month. Dressed in a smock-type pinnie dress with layers of spandex underneath, in her own words “in the interest of wanting to look slimmer,” it made her feel hot and thirsty later in the show, sipping water due to a dry mouth. Adele engaged her audience telling us she had met many of them before the show, waving to a few she had met and also saying she would sign the backs of tickets if anyone wanted to say hi later. Adele sang all the tracks from her 2008 album “Adele19” (“Right As Rain,” the incredibly soulful unrequited love song “Melt My Heart To Stone,” “Daydreamer,” "Best For Last" with Adele wearing her heart on her sleeve, wanting to hear loving words from her guy, telling her she is all he needs, but it’s just not happening, “Cold Shoulder,” “My Same,” “First Love,” the Bob Dylan cover "Make You Feel My Love," “Tired,” “Hometown Glory ” and “Crazy For you.)” Adele wrote all the tracks herself, with the exception of the Bob Dylan cover "Make You Feel My Love" another two well-chosen covers she sang, The Coral’s "Dreaming Of You" and the Etta James song "Fool That I Am." With Ben Thomas on guitar, Steve Holness on keys, Tom Driessler on bass, Donovan Hepburn on drums and String arrangements by three members of the “The Wired Strings,” the overall impression was beefy and made for a pleasing sound. Adele sang 4 tracks acoustically, simply stood in the centre of the stage, with her guitar making quirky little sideward hand movements and outward foot kick/flicks displaying her fun side and natural artistic expression.
After a minute’s interlude Adele returned on stage, singing a stripped down version of “Crazy For You,” just her voice and playing guitar and then the beautiful Etta James cover "Fool That I Am." Ending the night with her popular and eagerly awaited and called for UK hit “Chasing Pavements.”
Adele wooed her audience with her wit and down to earth charm and her voice more than lived up to each lyric sung with impressive emphasis, as she displayed a mature vocal range. Promising to return to York - we look forward to hearing more from this gifted young artist. I hope her Management and Record label keep her music soulful, as it is here where her strength lies. Adele, keep it soulful, natural and continue to acknowledge your audience and I’m sure your audience will return to see you every time you appear in the UK - an outstanding performance from such a young artist.
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