Scott James & The Revolution / Sam Eason - Sunday July 21st, The Louisiana

A sizzling summer’s night showcase of singer/songwriting talent at the Louie tonight as Gloucestershire’s upwardly mobile young rap/soul/folk band Scott James and The Revolution mesmerise a packed crowd. 

Main support is the unassuming, bespectacled and bushy-bearded Bath singer Sam Eason, well-known for his earnest performances and endearing audience banter.  ‘Apologetically not Ed Sheeran’ he takes us on an enjoyable and mostly upbeat ride with some uncomplicated but terrifically effective melodies and a whole lot of loved-up fuzziness.  Midway through the set he’s joined by wife Beth and the pair unleash some devastating harmonies on ‘Across The Sky’ and ‘Our Last Song.’  Clearly she’s a main inspiration behind his writing but the likeable school teacher sounds far from contrived as he gets the crowd shifting on the poppy brilliance of ‘Cliches’ with “there really are no words for this Disney romance, that won’t make you sick to your lungs.”  The standout track is ‘Turn On Your Heels’ which we’re told was a warning to a girlfriend about a good for nothing scoundrel.  Eason shows real potential as he layers 2 or 3 different sequences and knuckle rapping via loop pedal, folk giving way to indie/rock; a less indulgent/more urgent Damien Rice which hares along and captivates the crowd.  Great stuff and one to watch.

Tonight’s headliner have somehow fused rap, hip-hop, soul and folk together to create thought provoking often politically charged tracks straight outta, yep you guessed it; Cheltenham.  Having released their debut EP in March (‘The Acoustic Sessions”) the group has gone on to perform at festivals nationwide as well as winning a main stage slot at Beach Break in Newquay.  Perhaps eyeing the commercial success of Plan B in his musical versatility, the fledgling quartet has created a buzz from drawing upon their individual influences to form their own inimitable sound.  Frontman Scott James spits in a slightly faux-American style which isn’t always entirely convincing but there’s no denying his impressive writing talent and live delivery.  On early track ‘Mama Don’t Worry’ there’s a hint of a checkered past in his poignant lyrics that helps to move them from Just Jack and into Eminem/Nas territory, solidifying that all important credibility. 

In Sophie Cotterell they have the pop credentials and eye candy to dent the charts, on ‘Read All About It’ she shows that she has a formidable voice and when married with the harsh street vocals of James it’s clear they’ve got something unique.  Multi-talented James Armah (guitar, vocals and cajon) threatens to steal the show on cajon, a powerful backbone to their sound and an instrument that the band could utilize more often.  Fugees cover ‘Ready Or Not’ is well received, Cotterell’s voice again soaring as Scott James takes the helm for the tricky Lauryn Hill rapping as the band make it their own.  Final track ‘A New Republic’ is one of many calling on the government for change; it makes for an interesting listen from a band that have much to say and surely the creativity and class to catch the attentions of the masses.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-s/20955-scott-james-and-the-revolution--sam-eason-

Best tracks: Click on links below

Sam Eason - 'Turn On Your Heels'

Scott James & The Revolution - 'A New Republic'