James Morrison performing his You’re Stronger Than You Know Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Tuesday 12th November 2019



Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

James Morrison has been dipping his toe in and out of the music scene since he won a Brit Award in 2007 for The Best British Male Singer, but last night at the Royal Concert Hall he showed that he is definitely back with a vengeance.

With a new album to promote, You’re Stronger Than You Know, he delivered a set list that included some of his classics as well as new songs that he wrote during a period of personal turbulence in both his personal and professional life.

With a very talented band and two superb backing singers, he strolled out onto the stage, strapped on his guitar and launched into his opening number Under The Influence which he followed up with Nothing Ever Hurt Like You.

With his instantly recognisable textured voice, new songs Cross The Line and I Still Need You demanded the crowd’s attention which they duly gave, and as he delivered an excellent stripped back Feels Like The First Time, he had them all on side.

With an easy stage presence, Morrison was likeable and chatty and very much at home with this audience. Getting the concert going with Undiscovered, its gospel tones soared around the auditorium.

Filling his set with many highlights including renditions of hits You Give Me Something, Broken Strings and I Won’t Let You Go, his soulful voice was put into full effect for his version of The Beatles’ classic, With A Little Help From My Friends.

New songs Power and Glorious had that classic Morrison sound with their guitar led strong backing vocals, sing a long choruses and emotional lyrics, and when he unleashed his chart hits, You Make It Real and Wonderful World to bring the evening to an end, the crowd couldn’t get enough of him.

And then he waved and strolled of the stage just as he had arrived, with no fuss.