Rising star Leon bridges took to the stage at Notting Hill Arts Club last night for a special Amazon Front Row performance.
His six-piece band beat him to the stage: two guitars, bass, drums, sax and backing singer. Wearing a white shirt and black dinner suit he wasted no time in delivering his catchy new single ‘Better Man’, which has been my personal earworm for the past couple of weeks after notching up some serious radio play.
“I wanna make you feel happy and good,” he said before launching into the breezy ‘Flowers’.
His band are quick to enter their groove, making it all look very easy indeed.
“This is a love song,” he quipped when announcing the album title track ‘Coming Home’. The live shows and album have been receiving favourable reviews with more than a few mentioning the nod to Sam Cooke evident in all aspects of his work.
Leon creates a love buzz in the room, a mix of dreamy Sunday afternoon lullabies and up-tempo grooves which echo the past yet harbour the future.
“I wrote a song about my mother its called Lisa Sawyer,” he says introducing one of the album stand out tracks. The songs are well worked and easy to absorb.
Leon has a relaxed manner, perhaps a combination of shyness and modesty but the overall effect conveys an honesty that is ever present in his music.
Closing the 45-minute set with the acoustic ‘River’ to rapturous applause, the future looks bright for Leon Bridges who will only improve as an artist. The world is in need of some sweet, soothing soul music and Leon is well positioned to start the healing process.
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