Live review: Holly Webber wows Blues Bar in Harrogate

Holly Rose Webber, Blues Bar, Harrogate

Sunday night in the Blues Bar is a good night for great music.

This last Sunday was no exception with a rare performance from one of Harrogate’s finest singer songwriters Holly Rose Webber and her band made up of the best local artists, many headliners in their own right, including Dan Mizen (drums), Frank Mizen (pedal steel), Pete Oliver (bass), Rob Reynolds (guitar and vocals) and Phil Dean (lead guitar).

Holly’s music is classic solid country rock with influences from legends such as Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles and Aerosmith.

It’s easy to hear and feel that sound coming through her songs, especially in the beautiful yet haunting title track from her debut album Sparkle & Fade.

Performing a mixture of her own perfectly crafted songs such as Angel Eyes, the toe tapping Love Ain’t Enough, check out the video on YouTube, and the stunning Let Love Go, the strength of her lyrics and the power and emotion of her voice has the packed bar hooked from the opening song.

Rockier numbers Shame on You, written by her father Roy Webber, from legendary Harrogate band Wally, and the excellent song Turn The Page has the audience foot stamping along.

The show is peppered with a handful of covers, a unique and haunting ballad version of the Elvis hit song Suspicious Minds takes and Say You Love Me by Fleetwood Mac are bold and confidently performed.

The star cover song of the evening was the brilliant Steve Miller classic Rock ‘n’ Me which Holly and the band played with sublime perfection, especially of note was the brilliant lead guitar of Phil Dean.

As the show closes the applause is enthusiastic, deafening and well deserved.

Watching Holly Rose Webber and her band perform in the confines of Blues Bar its easy to believe that she will soon be sparkling on bigger stages.

Her album is available on both iTunes and on her website http://www.hollyrosewebber.com