George Ezra is one of the most streamed artists on Spotify. His debut album has sold over a million copied - only Sam Smith outsold him last year and his UK sold out in ten minutes. Yet, at the heart of all this glittering success is Ezra's truly extraordinary voice; something you can easily forget until you see him live. His gigantic, bluesy baritone falls somewhere between Lead Belly and Johnny Cash - not bad for a blonde kid from Hertfordshire - and in concert, he doesn't miss a note.
His Somerset House set was made up from his only album, the folky-poppy Wanted on Voyage and as a result was rather short. He covered Bob Dylan's Girl From The North Country, which came out a little limp (no-one should ever cover Dylan) but his rendition of Macy Gray's I Try was inspired, and it brought the house down. He should have done a few more like that.
His own songs are rootsy and implacably catchy, Budapest and Cassy'O linger in your head all the way home. You can't help feeling, though, that he has so much more to give than singing about inter-railing on his gap year. He's already gone far, but with a voice like that a keen ear for melody, this 22 year old could go much, much further.
His Somerset House set was made up from his only album, the folky-poppy Wanted on Voyage and as a result was rather short. He covered Bob Dylan's Girl From The North Country, which came out a little limp (no-one should ever cover Dylan) but his rendition of Macy Gray's I Try was inspired, and it brought the house down. He should have done a few more like that.
His own songs are rootsy and implacably catchy, Budapest and Cassy'O linger in your head all the way home. You can't help feeling, though, that he has so much more to give than singing about inter-railing on his gap year. He's already gone far, but with a voice like that a keen ear for melody, this 22 year old could go much, much further.
What | George Ezra, Somerset House |
Where | Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA | MAP |
Nearest tube | Temple (underground) |
When |
On 13 Jul 15, Doors 7.30pm |
Price | £29.50 + booking fees. Enhanced Tickets £49.50 + booking fees |
Website | Click here to book via Somerset House |