aaamusic | On 23, Oct 2011

Oxford, 18th October

It’s probably extremely difficult for a melodic solo acoustic guitarist to stand out. But Benjamin Francis Leftwich, a York-based singer-songwriter in his early twenties, is a bold, likeable and talented character. He cites Arcade Fire, Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen as influences.

His first EP A Million Miles Out was released last October. His debut LP Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm received considerable attention when released in July this year.

 

Typically his chilled folk imaginative style combines a simple plucked guitar line with a whispery voice. The songs are well constructed and beautifully played.

 

Box of Stones was a gentle, delicate melodic song with a seafaring theme. Pictures had some intriguing lyrics: ‘you’ve been around and you’ve seen the way that things work, but you need a compass to get around your house.‘

 

He’s criticised by some for a repetition of tone, pace & mood, but clearly many of the audience were captivated and committed fans. Leftwich is a creative, elegant musician who is still developing maturity and character, but he isn’t shallow or unemotional as some seem to believe.

 

He liked the audience to be quiet while he sang and quite right too! Why go to a music gig if you don’t want to listen?

Set list: 1904, Pictures, Break The Day Open, Maps, Bottle Baby, Butterfly Culture, Atlantic City, Snow Ship, Shine, Box Of Stones, Atlas Hands, Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm.

 

Anthony Weightman