LIVE REVIEW: TWO WAYS HOME - GIBSON GARAGE - LONDON

There is nothing quite like the excitement that comes with a surprise invite for an afternoon gig at new venue, so it was lovely to join the great and the good at a private little shindig ostensibly celebrating the teal coloured eco vinyl release of Two Ways Home's latest album "Patience To Play" as well drumming up support for their forthcoming UK tour. The venue was the Gibson Garage just off Oxford Street where after going down a flight of steps past some very expensive Kinks artworks ( £9000 if you fancy the one we were looking at) we emerged into a room where the walls were laden with row after row of guitars. There was a reasonable sized stage and swiftly after entry our hosts for the afternoon were there, flanked by regular sidekick Michael Clancy

It turned out that they had been given the run of the store and so Michael had chosen a guitar that matched his shirt, Lewis had what seemed a standardish guitar, while Isi had a sparkling new mandolin with just two shortcomings, it did not have a jack, so she would have to play into a microphone to be heard, the other was that it had no strap, and so she had fashioned one out of string for the event. Despite the audience being hand picked, the Gibson Security guard kept an eagle eye on his merchandise, at least until he was convinced that we posed no risk.

Having only caught a few seconds of Two Ways Home set at Country Calling, as it clashed with an interview we were doing, seeing them, if only briefly as a full band reminded us just how good they can be in that format and we would later bond over a magnificent gig they had performed as a band at the Half Moon many moons ago.

It was the title track of the album that would kick things off, Isi for this song only, was on shaker, Lewis kicked the song into life on the chorus with judicious use of the stomp pedal while Michael would provide an array of guitar flourishes and Isi and Lewis would prove themselves to in fine voice.

For "Medicine Man", Isi would move to tambourine, the opening though just Lewis and Isi singing in harmony. As the song developed, the addition of Michael's guitar really took the sound to another level giving it a real rockiness. This tale of a fly by night lover would close with a final rattle of Isi's tambourine.

It was at this point that Isy would put on the mandolin in its somewhat makeshift arrangement for "Feet On The Asphalt". Once again the sound of TWH as a three piece was really beefed up and rocking, and the dual vocals on the chorus as they rattled through the chorus was a delight.

It was on "Room For Love", that Michael really started to show what sounds his new guitar could produce, as things turned a little funky, it all set things up nicely for what we might expect on the forthcoming tour. There was a sort of mandolin, guitar face off half way through and it all made for an entertaining version. The song about taking matters into your own hands to decide your own future "Waiting On Luck", once again saw Michael extracting yet another new sound and Lewis would add in extra stompage towards the end with a wide grin, yet the real stars were the entwining vocals of Lewis and Isi.

The final songs would see a version of "Polaroid Kids" would see see Isi put down her instrument and clasp the microphone stand with one hand while being exceptionally expressive with the other. Michael's supporting flourishes added extra depth to the sound in a hugely enjoyable version which would finish by seguing into "You're Still The One". The traditional TWH closer "Push and Pull" would elicit a bit of audience participation as they repeatedly requested

"Be still my beating heart"

It all brought a short but highly entertaining set to a close and then offered the chance for an extended chat with the band and an opportunity to purchase the new album in its fetching shade of blue.

TWO WAYS HOME will hit the road with KATY HURT offering double the excitement in October / November so expect new songs, crossovers and all sort of giddy excitement.