Ellie Gowers at Rise: “Brightening even the most colourless winter evenings”. All pictures: Paul Rhodes
LIKE sundew on her beloved Dartmoor, Ellie Gowers’ music can brighten even the most colourless winter evenings.
Gowers is a regular in York (she was last here as one of the Magpies at the NCEM on November 1). This time around she had found time for glider ducking at Sutton Bank and, before that, a recording session with this evening’s opener Gary Stewart.
Hearing Stewart sing is always a treat, his light Scottish burr and mellow finger-picking guitar beaming directly from that halcyon 1970s’ era of singer-songwriters.
Gary Stewart: Opening November 30’s gig at Rise
It wasn’t his finest hour, in truth, but even in ruffled form there were gems. Use It Or Lose It (recorded that very day with Gowers) was the best of them, somehow combining Paul Simon wisdom with a love of Hornsea mugs. Nothing, sadly, from his wonderful lockdown creation, Lost, Now Found.
As a performer and impresario, Gowers’ confidence on stage has come on apace. She was totally in control of her surroundings, very comfortable talking and tuning (while not standing on her tiptoes). The 50-minute, eight-song set was just right for showcasing her new EP You, The Passenger before the rapt crowd.
Ellie Gowers defending the right to roam in The Stars Are Ours at Rise
The EP takes a different direction from her full album, Dwelling By The Weir’s set of folk songs from her native Warwickshire. No cuts from that; instead, we found Gowers in singer-songwriter mode.
While using Joni Mitchell as a comparison is normally far-fetched, there were echoes of the Canadian’s For The Roses album. It’s a personal record (not Blue personal), in part inspired by her visits to Nova Scotia. A Moment was a more muscular performance, while I Can Be Right For You was beautifully sung and plaintive.
The brightest moment in the set was her anthem to defend the right to roam, The Stars Are Ours, a stellar clarion call for freedom, which sees Gowers transcend her influences. Definitely a name to watch as her star ascends.
Review by Paul Rhodes
The Magpies’ Ellie Gowers performing solo at Rise@Bluebird Bakery