Scott Matthews, Cadogan Hall

A singer who has been around for a long time without a great deal of critical success, Scott Matthews' releases are always reliably excellent and invariably under-appreciated. Since touring with the Foo Fighters in support of his 2006 debut Passing Strangers, and
later winning 2007's Novello Award for best song (with the beautiful Elusive), it is fair to say Matthews never took off like many imagined he would.
A subtle songwriter of genuine quality, Matthews' voice soars softly over lush finger-picking and warm backing, sounding at times like Jeff Buckley and at times like John Martyn, but fortunately never sounding like he's from Wolverhampton (which he is). In early 2014 he signed to Nashville's Thirty Tigers imprint – the first British artist to do so – to release the sedate Home Part 1, in which he sounds at times like Turin Brakes at their best (as on the harmonica-soaked Sunlight), but doesn't attempt to depart from the style that has brought him critical acclaim, if not commercial success.
Whilst Passing Strangers remains probably his best work to date, 2011's What the Night Delivers delivered some equally delightful tracks. Try the haunting Obsession Never Sleeps, where Matthews comes off sounding like an acoustic Thom Yorke and picks delicately over the sombre cello tones of Danny Keane, who often joins Scott on his solo outings.
Suffice to say, those who brave the wintry conditions and make it down to beautiful surroundings of Cadogan Hall in late February are certain to be rewarded with a soulful and charming performance by an authentically talented and inventive musician who remains, remarkably, well under the radar.