Best known as the frontman of Californian rockers Rival Sons, singer/songwriter Jay Buchanan follows up the recent release of his solo album ‘Weapons Of Beauty’ with a series of intimate solo shows booked around Rival Sons headline slot at this year’s Steelhouse Festival in Wales. More used to lighting up festival stages and arenas around the world, this is a rare chance to see the singer get back to his (feral) roots, up close and personal in small venues.

Up first are London based duo Fire In Her Eyes. The words ‘psych folk/rock wizards’ may be enough to put most RPM readers off reading any further, and on paper it would me too, but there’s something a bit special about Topaz & Natasha Livingstone that makes them stand out from the crowd. The likes of ‘Too Late To Change’ and ‘Sooner Or Later’ are great tunes, their debut album ‘Look Into The Sky’ is produced by Flood, and it’s worth exploring for the trippy cover art alone.

“We are ‘Fire In Her Eyes’ and we are here to perform some original songs for you” or words to that effect states Topaz. With just an acoustic guitar & keyboard, the sisters perform acoustic renditions of the songs they have been writing and performing since they were ten years old. The vocal harmonies are lush, and the delivery has an ethereal, almost magical vibe. They could be the Mamas without The Papas, or they may even bring to mind Stevie Nicks fronting Clannad. So, if that sort of 60’s/70’s west coast, hippy vibe floats your boat, then they could be a bit of a treat.

There’s certainly a proggy element to the well thought out arrangements that put them in the same category as the likes of Rosalie Cunningham. And while songs such as ‘Never’ and ‘Look Into The Sky’ are great soundscapes, I feel they would probably benefit from having a full band to realise the full potential of Fire In Her Eyes as a live band.

It’s the first time they’ve played Leeds, and hopefully not the last, as their set was over quicker than I expected and I would like to see them again. Highly enjoyable and very colourful openers.

With the house lights still up and everyone chatting or staring at their phones, Jay Buchanan saunters on clutching a guitar, a wide brimmed hat on his head. He greets a surprised audience to massive cheers and a round of applause, then removes a can of something from his back jeans pocket, places it on the occasional table to his side and shrugs his shoulders. We laugh, it’s almost slapstick comedy, this is how it’s going to be then.

Jay proceeds to talk for maybe 10 minutes before he even strums a note. He sets the scene for the evening, explaining the background of the album, how he came to book the tour with no plan, and not really knowing what to expect. He admits to pretty much winging it every night so far, but it seems to work. What unfolds is a two-hour songs & stories show that gives a deep insight into a travelling musician’s life.

Opening song ‘High & Lonesome’ stuns from the first line, what a voice! I mean, I’ve seen Rival Sons live many times over the years. But that voice, laid bare with just one guitar, is something truly special. You could hear a pin drop as the whole room is enraptured by his performance.

Stripped of Dave Cobb’s big production, gospel-tinged single ‘True Black’ is as soulful as the recorded version and with Jay’s explanation of what its actually about, the song is given a renewed depth. As expected, the setlist weighs heavily on the album, with highlights being the aforementioned songs, along with the heartfelt and truly moving ‘Tumbleweeds’ and the magical ‘Sway’. But it’s the stories that give a true insight, a personal touch to tonight’s set. It’s like watching him perform in his living room with a few drinks amongst friends.

He brings out his treasured lap dulcimer for a couple of tunes and the story of how that instrument came to help in the purchase of his current home is as heartwarming as the songs he plays on it. Other set highlights include a cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ and Rival Sons ‘Shooting Stars’ that are as emotive as it gets.

With so many years of touring fronting a rock n’ roll band, it’s easy to forget that Jay came from a singer/songwriter background, and maybe Jay forgot that too…for a time. ‘Weapons Of Beauty’ was a long time coming, 10 years in the making through good and bad times. The singer seems to be in a good place right now, and tonight was a testament to a true artist who has come full circle, it seems.

While Rival Sons are currently laying down a new studio album, I feel there will be more of these shows from Jay Buchanan in the future. A stunning, spiritual and life affirming evening of music and stories.

Author: Ben Hughes