Saturday 15th March 2014
Elizabeth Cornish Album Launch
at The Cookie Jar
by Keith Jobey
Spring definitely feels like it is here to stay now and emerging along with the daffodils is a crop of new album releases. One of them being Displaced by Elizabeth Cornish which has its launch gig tonight at the Cookie Jar.
Samuel Idwal (Sam Jones) gets the evening off to a gentle start. The chatter in the room quickly and respectively quietens and remains so throughout his set. He has a pleasant, enjoyable voice, reminiscent of an acoustic Morrissey, particularly during Pile Of Bones. Being of North Eastern descent, I enjoy his song Cobbles about the streets of Durham. A song inspired by his time at university there. It can be found on his Murky EP. He launches a new EP Brightbark at the Musician on 7th April.
Weikie, (Adam Weikert) stepped out from behind his Her Name Is Calla drum kit a few years ago now and set about wowing us with his musical talent. Debut album Raise Our Sunken Ship was a highlight of 2012 and sounds epic despite being largely recorded on his own at home in his flat above a strip joint. Live, his music is obviously more minimalist, his distinctive vocals accompanied by a banjo, guitar or piano (if available) depending upon the song. Tonight he’s got a laptop and some loop pedals to help fill out the sound and it’s evident from opening song Little Brother that its worthwhile and the crowd, as they did for Samuel, fall respectfully quiet. His shows are well thought out and there is always a bit of that famous Weikie humour thrown in. Closing with a new song Shade he shows us there is still plenty to come from this talented chap. And don’t forget his band Her Name Is Calla release their new album Navigator next month.
I’ve enjoyed watching Elizabeth Cornish and her band grow over the years. Capable of catching your attention as a solo acoustic act, the gradual addition of full drums (Adam Wykes), bass (Jason Skinner) and additional guitar (Mark Riley Cardwell) have taken her act to a much higher level. It’s been a long process but finally here we are tonight, witnessing the launch of her debut album Displaced at a sold out and well populated Cookie Jar.
Tonight, the album is given its first full live airing with all songs getting played. The first song is one of her older songs, Harder, a song that showcases Elizabeth’s vocals, with its sweet whispered verses and more powerful choruses. Just after the halfway point the band take a break, leaving the Elizabeth alone with the crowd. She plays three acoustic songs, including Not As Strong which she tells us is one of her favourites off the album. With the band back on stage, we get a bonus song not included on the album. A new song called We’re Not Perfect which has a bouncy energetic chorus. Let’s hope it’s not too long before it appears on the second album. To finish with one of the old favourites is played, the excellent Folds, a song that displays what a force the band have become.
It’s great to see another local act launching an album and managing to pull in a capacity crowd. Long may it continue.
Watch a video of the set closer Folds
Follow Elizabeth Cornish on bandcamp
Elizabeth Cornish is a Leicester based singer-songwriter performing a unique blend of acoustic folk-pop which is a mix between Feist, Laura Marling and Florence and the Machine.
