William Fitzsimmons at the Jazz Cafe

William Fitzimmons - Jazz Cafe, London 10/02/11

If any of you read my post on here last week about William Fitzsimmons, you probably already know that i am a massive fan, so getting to see him last night was nothing but an honour!
William was the support act for classical pianist James Rhodes tonight, and the event was a HMV branded "Next Big Thing" show, and if the record buying public of the United Kingdom have any sense then William Fitzsimmons will be the next big thing!
My girlfriend and i got to the venue rather early, but it was good, it meant time for a post show drink and time to take in the atmosphere of the venue, which was pretty amazing, and it was my first time at the venue! The line up of the two artists tonight was quite a diverse show, and it was obvious that Williams fanbase were all there just for him, and James Rhodes audience were hanging in the bar with some white wine.
So at about 8:30 we are greeted onstage by a compere who instructs us that the artists have requested silence during their performances tonight and we are to switch off our mobile phones, which is rightfully so because from the moment Fitzsimmons comes onstage you are instantly drawn in.
Opening the show with a new track from forthcoming album "Gold in the Shadow" you cant tell straight away that William pours every ounce of his heart into his songs, then following that straight up with "I Dont Feel it Anymore" from 2008's "The Sparrow and the Crow" and new single "Winter from Her Leaving".
Inbetween songs, Fitzsimmons is one of the most personable artists i have ever had witness too. He jokes with the crowd about his cat allergy, about how "wank" apparently means something different over here, and that he challenges anyone to have a better beard than him! not the kind of inbetween song banter you expect from a folk singer who sings about divorce and sorrow.
"Everything has Changed" and "Passion Play" sound note perfect and are just as beautiful live as they are on record, and when William decides for finale "After Afterall" he is going to come off stage and sing in the middle of the crowd it was a perfect moment with everyone in the crowd singing every word, and even now i can still here 100 voices singing the words "please dont leave me" echoing around the Jazz Cafe.
It is clear that although Fitzsimmons jokes with the crowd and seems like just a regular guy playing songs, he is genuinely grateful for everyone who is there to hear him, and that pays attention to his deeply personal songs. As he was just the support tonight the set was over before it had even begun, but he has promised to return twice before the year is out, so i will be waiting with baited breath :)

Setlist

• New Song
• I Dont Feel it Anymore
• Winter From Her Leaving
• Everything Has Changed
• New Song (First time it is played live)
• Find Me to Forgive
• Passion Play
• Golden Shadow
• After Afterall

Glen xo

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