Lisbee Stainton has a truly beautiful voice and writes beautiful songs. Such a beautiful voice in fact, that once Seth Lakeman heard her, he immediately signed her up to be in his band. While it was only right that she should be heard by as many people as possible, it has meant that her solo shows have become somewhat more scarce than they once were, and that the chances for us to appreciate her singing her own wonderful songs have been limited.
I’ve wanted to see her perform for a good few years now, so I was delighted that she’s taken some time out to record and promote a new album, her fifth, at the Greystones tonight. There were a select but enthusiastic group of fans here, along with a few newer converts, as she played mainly new material, which was all delightful. The whole evening was a gentle summer treat, with no need to know the songs in advance. We just let the purity and beauty of each little gem drift into the warm night air.
Each track is a self-contained, perfectly formed slice of song-writing. I was hoping she’d play a few older songs, and when she played ‘Red’, which she wrote about her mother’s rose garden at the age of only 16, I knew I’d go home a happy man. It reminded me how acoustic shows fit so perfectly into the back room of the Greystones and I can’t think of anywhere in Sheffield that does this type of music more justice. A truly lovely night.
