Live Review: Ben Ottewell, Matt Walker

A year or so since his last gig in The Basement and taking to the stage with a quiet confidence, Matt Walker opened the night with the mellow sounds of his guitar juxtaposed with the haunting trills from Shane Reilly on the pedal steel guitar. His opening number drew in and captured the attention of the crowd. Playing songs from his new album, In Echoes Of Dawn, the audience enjoyed the subtle blues dynamic and the soothing tone of his voice.
The songs Restless Heart and Just Add Wine were definitely highlights, matched only by the injection of energy that came in the song when Reilly moved from the pedal steel guitar to a mandolin - instantly, a warmer tone emanated from the stage.

And then it was time for the main event, Ben Ottewell. Taking to the stage with a warm reception, Ottewell is instantly recognisable as the unmistakable and gravelly voice from UK band Gomez. Captivating the audience with the guttural tones of his voice, he opens with a cover tune that rolls straight into a Gomez number, which delights the crowd. Although normally played by a five-piece band, alone with his guitar on stage, there is an immense depth and soul to the folk sounds of this work. Deviating from the recorded version, the bridge and improvisation please the attentive Basement crowd. The title track from his solo record, Shapes & Shadows, rises and falls with ease and soon many bodies rock and heads move to the certain beat of his guitar and lulling melody.

A long instrumental during one of his songs reminds us about what we love about him, whether it's him alone or him as part of Gomez. This is again brought to the fore with his cover of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. He ends the set on a high note and returns for an encore performance. After asking for an update on The Ashes score and discussing the cricket, he plays “a silly little song 'bout a lady from Mexico” to the thrilled crowd.

For many in the room, it seems an intimate taste of Gomez through Ben Ottewell is as good as Gomez itself.