Photo: WENN
"Thank you for being here," smiles a visibly humbled Anna Calvi from the fittingly modest but regal Assembly Hall stage. It's the day after the release of her hotly-anticipated sophomore album, One Breath - a record that injects a much needed dose of ambition and drama into the world as we coldly limp into October.
She has every reason to appear humbled. Few artists survive much further past their debut, but Calvi returns to the scene to the open clamouring arms of a following who expect, nay DEMAND something different. Tonight should be the perfect test as to whether we can expect longevity from the Kohl-eyed wonder.
With a keyboardist added to her live set up, Calvi's concerts now enjoy a more enhanced fullness of sound - not that it's something that she's ever suffered with. Cutting a striking silouhette through the lights and dry ice, Calvi's piercing gaze stares out into as she gently strums the haunting opening bars to 'Sing To Me'. Exploring her vocal range more than ever before and with an approach to her guitar playing that can only be described as 'masterful', Calvi has nailed the art of harnassing basic and simple elements with widescreen, cinematic results.
The rumbling drums and dark romance of album highlight 'Piece By Piece' have echoes Tom Waits - but driven speeding into the 21st Century. The Morricone weirdness of 'Carry Me Over' and the bone-shattering howl that runs through 'Tristan' are the most promising of the new material showcased tonight. This is the sound of Calvi's departure into a more experimental world. It's what makes One Breath such a pleasurable listen, and what marks her as the rarest of talent.
We've made it all the way throughout this review without referencing other female artists such as PJ. Ah balls, we were nearly there - but it's worth noting that seeing the more brazen Anna Calvi that stands before us is like staring into the future when Polly Jean unveiled the promise of her early work. But that's where all similarity ends. The lazy comparisons to other females in her field should prove utterly tired and reduntant by now. Further stamping her own inimitable personality over music, tonight Calvi proves herself an artist in a field of her own - with a universe of ideas to grow into. We demanded something unique, but we got much, much more.
Anna Calvi played:
Suzanne & I
Eliza
Suddenly
Sing to Me
Cry
Blackout
I'll be you Man
Piece By Piece
Carry Me Over
Tristan
The Devil
Desire
Love Won't Be Leaving
Encore:
Bleed Into Me
Jezebel
