Live: Rickie Lee Jones @ Islington Assembly Hall

by | Oct 20, 2015

Rickie Lee Jones @ Islington Assembly Hall

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

“How come I’m not a big shot?” Rickie Lee Jones states in a recent interview. In the 1980s she wrote and performed some of the nations best loved albums from Pirates, The Magazine, Flying Cowboys and the eponymous Rickie Lee Jones. Her and Tom Waits were lovers and the world was at her feet. In the 1990s she continued to make good albums but as a record deal with Geffen ended so it seemed did the songwriting ability. In the last eighteen months she has been working on a new crowdfunded album The Other Side Of Desire, has moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and appears to be totally rejuvenated.

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

This, her only UK gig on the tour, is the opportunity for a new swagger and ease to be showed off, a chance to show that her powers of story telling about street life and odd characters are just as strong as before. She does this so well that the songs from The Other Side Of Desire including Jimmy Choos, in which she as a performer oozes cool, sit beautifully next to the catalog of classics and could easily have graced any of those hit albums.

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

Taking to the guitar for the early part we hear a wonderfully rambling and hypnotic version of Weasel And The White Boys Cool and the beautiful Louisiana tinged newer work Valtz de Mon Pere. Someone from the audience shouts and gets shushes from the crowd, which is initially a good thing and all part of the experience, but later from the piano Jones holds a hand up for people not to hoop and holler and to listen to the ends of the songs.

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

Even though I think of Rickie Lee Jones as singer songwriter with a guitar it is her piano section of this concert that stirs up the deepest emotions and this is where you feel that the concert is special and that you are so glad to be here. On Saturday Afternoons In 1963 sends a shiver up the spine and that tingling never leaves and actually increases through the new songs Infinity and Finale; (A Spider In The Circus Of The Falling Star). I think that Rickie Lee also picks up on the vibe in the room “What a mystical thing live performance is.” she states.

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

One more, this time, welcome shout from the audience by a chap who has travelled down from Liverpool to see her “You are sublime! And we are so glad to see you!” As the end draws near we are treated to just Jones and her guitar for a cover of Sympathy For The Devil (and those covers albums are fantastic check out her version of Show Biz Kids) and the haunting The Moon Is Made Of Gold, written by her father.

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

American singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones live in London (Simon Jay Price)

If there is a way back for Jones then this tour and album has to be the start of it. Her songs presented here in such relaxed effectiveness, that falling in love with her again is the only option.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000hN7gy2lxq8I” g_name=”Rickie-Lee-Jones” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Photography and review by Simon Jay Price. Rickie Lee Jones at Islington Assembly Hall  Sunday October 18th 2015.

Simon has his own great website right here: www.simonjayprice.com

 

 

Lizzie Esau for Rockshot Magazine (Kalpesh Patel)

“Always Dreaming Of Something, And Not On This Planet” — Lizzie Esau Has Sky-High Ambitions

It’s a grey day in Newcastle, but Lizzie Esau is all colour. Not just in her sound — an intoxicating blend of indie...
The Royston Club (Sam Crowston)

The Royston Club Announce New Album ‘Songs For The Spine’ And Biggest Tour Yet Ciematic

After the Top 20 success of their debut album, The Royston Club are pushing into bold new territory with the announcement of their second full-length record, Songs For The Spine, due out 8th August. Alongside the album reveal comes the emotionally charged new single Glued To The Bed, premiered by Huw Stephens on BBC 6 Music, and news of their biggest UK headline tour to date—culminating in a major London show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Lissie (Madison Speer)

Rockshot Favourite Lissie Returns With Tender New EP Promises, Sharing Heartfelt Cover Of ‘I’ll Stand By You’

A long-time favourite here at Rockshot Magazine, American singer-songwriter Lissie makes a welcome return with her...
Skerryvore (Press)

Skerryvore Unveil Uplifting New Single ‘The Sea That Sings’ Ahead of Biggest Show Yet At Floors Castle

Scottish folk-rock trailblazers Skerryvore are celebrating 20 years of music, memories, and massive live moments with...
Will Linley (Press)

Will Linley Channels Heartache Into Euphoria On New Single ‘Cinematic’

South African-born artist Will Linley is keeping his foot on the gas. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has returned with his brand-new single Cinematic via Island Records—a sweeping, emotional anthem that perfectly captures the push-pull between heartbreak and hope. Known for his self-coined “sad-pop” style, Linley once again proves his ability to transform personal pain into songs that make you want to dance through the tears.

House of Protection (Anthony Tran)

House Of Protection Drop Electrifying New EP ‘Outrun You All’ & Announce UK Tour Dates

One of the most thrilling new forces in heavy music, House Of Protection have released their sophomore EP Outrun You All via Red Bull Records—a genre-hopping, high-octane project that confirms the duo’s position as one of 2024’s most fearless acts. Known for fusing atmospheric trip-hop, art punk, underground electronic, and hardcore chaos, the band wastes no time diving deep into their expansive musical world on this blistering seven-track release.

Jawbone (Rob Blackham / Blackham Images)

Jawbone Reignite Their Signature Sound With ‘Jawbone II’ — A Soulful, Live-Wire Triumph Of Folk, Rock & Psychedelia

It’s been a long time coming, but some things are worth the wait. Acclaimed British roots-rock band Jawbone have released their long-anticipated second album, Jawbone II, out now via 5dB Records (also home to anaiis, Ashaine White, and MOULD). Arriving seven years after their 2018 debut, Jawbone II reintroduces the quartet with the full force of their signature blend: timeless songwriting, masterful musicianship, and a rare kind of chemistry that can only come from years of playing together.

The Zipheads Kickstart A Rock ‘N’ Roll Renaissance In London

There’s two types of people in this world: those who’ve experienced The Zipheads live, and those who are missing out....

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing