REVIEW: Jesse Sykes & Phil Wandscher + Blue Book Park
Jesse Sykes
SXSC - Jesse Sykes & Phil Wandscher + Blue Book Park - @ The Railway 11th May 08
Sometimes, just sometimes, you come across something so perfect, so utterly beguiling and compelling, that the rest of the world disappears as you’re transfixed, transported and immersed. That something is Jesse Sykes.
The scorching summer sun provided the perfect hazy, dreamy backdrop to match the Country vibe that glowed throughout the evening, making me feel like I’d stepped straight into small town America.
Blue Book Park opened this SXSC event and from the opening chord took me straight back to the sounds of West Coast sixties America, with Byrds like harmonies, Doors style farfisa organ - as authentic a sound as you could hope for. ‘Girl Without’ delved even further back into ‘Wild West bar saloon’ territory with it’s plinky keyboard pattern, whilst the Californian country of the Eagles made for a suitably grizzled vocal.
The singer had an amazing voice, with a soft American lilt to him, conveying the spirit from their recognisable influences. A tender ballad, played out to a simple acoustic melody was the best example of this - evocative of many a painful memory, splashed with lump in your throat lyrics. Their West Coast vibe covers songs in the age old tradition of love, loss and longing….but full of hope, spirit and belief.
With her husky American drawl smokily announcing how nice it was to be back, Jesse Sykes instantly bonds with you and highlights how accessibly likeable she is. Performing as a duo with Phil Wandscher, equally laid back and affable, this is the second visit they’ve made to Winchester, and must have made a huge impression last time. Contrasting with her easy going, good natured chatting, she sings with an ethereal, haunting vocal. Two chords are all the opening song needs to delicately anchor the rhythm, letting the vocals carry the emotion without unnecessary distraction. Here is a woman with a voice full of the contradictions of life - vulnerable, emotive and fragile, yet carrying the strength, passion, resolve and conviction of discovery. The pairing - Jesse’s lyrics, captivating voice and presence; Phil’s beautiful falsettos, weeping harmonica and country guitar - are truly mesmerising…
‘Your side now’ had a sunnier vibe - still addressing matters of the heart but although ghostly vocals remained, the spirit was warmer. Delving back into the first album, they perform ‘Lullaby’ - a song Jesse wrote just after meeting Phil. Tellingly the cracked vulnerability was more distant, replaced with a more reflective, warm, impassioned vocal; whilst trying to find the notes between songs, Jesse tells us how she cant just fake it, or force it, she has to feel it - this small aside reveals the key to her brilliance, and highlights how much of herself she puts into these songs, each one emoted; remembered; felt…eyes closed, you can practically feel her almost ‘channelling’ them to the audience.
Looking across the tables, not one person I can see is either talking or not focusing their attention to the stage; everybody completely in awe of the talent before them. As good as anything that even the greatness of Joni Mitchell or Neil Young would produce.
Before I know it, over an hour of Country, Folk and Acoustic brilliance has passed, every second filled with the most beautiful voice and music I could hope for. In one of their final songs of the night, Jesse implores: ‘Love Me Someday, I Will be here’.
Well Jesse, we love you. And its us who will be here for when you are back.
……….she doesn’t so much beautifully sing, as dream the songs into your head…..highly, highly recommended.
Chris Roberts.
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