Devon Sproule, The Voodoo Rooms

Published on Tuesday 12 May 2009 10:41

Devon Sproule *** The Voodoo Rooms The Voodoo Rooms, something of a diamond in the rough when it comes to Edinburgh's live music venues, is one of the city's best kept secrets, hidden away behind shops on West Register Street and playing host to acts that you could very well describe in the same way.

It would not be surprising if the crazy idea of hand-picking your audience is exactly what happens at a Devon Sproule show.

The music that the musician creates, requires a specialised ear and a somewhat rare music taste with her genre fitting into neither folk, jazz or pop as easily as others might.

Flying solo, as she did for the first half of her performance here, it is not hard to compare the atmosphere to that of a book reading inside the walls of a quiet library; still, calm and somewhat informative.

The question as to whether Sproule has talent or not does not need to be asked, but what perhaps does is why she does not use it more to her advantage.

While playing solo, with only her guitar to keep her company on stage, she plays a few carefully selected songs to her audience; some standing while those closer to the stage and sides chose to sit and watch from a different perspective.

One word in that short description was thought over – "sing". Why? Listening to Devon Sproule, the feeling reached is as if you are having a conversation with her and at times also as if she is a guest speaker giving a speech.

She has a special way of putting her lyrics across in a very story-telling manner, with the inspiration for each song coming from nothing but life itself. Sometimes it is even quite difficult to pay attention to her lyrics from being too busy listening to the way she sings or even by watching the faces she makes to reach different tones and pitches.

It is a nice change to be able to hear a performer's genuine accent through their words as they sing. The crowds reaction after each song was unexpected, with a rumble of claps and whistles after a quiet and well listened to performance.

Explaining the thoughts and worries she has had about the current tour, Sproule tells the small but dedicated crowd that her drummer had to fly home and that after much deliberating, those who were left decided on finding a replacement so that the show could indeed go on. In mentioning home, it was surprising to learn that her newest release, Keep Your Silver Shined, was first released in the UK before the USA.

With the rest of her band, the pace of the evening changed, the beat of the drum and fellow musicians playing alongside her adding more edge and an altogether finished sound to the remaining songs on the set-list, including requests from the adoring fans.

Tonight was a special one for each and every Devon Sproule fan in attendance.