To look upon Joss Stone is to behold someone distinctly familiar. Sweet. Young. Lovely. But when she parts her lips her soul comes rushing out like thick velvet or strong coffee.  You can blink, but she’s still your little sister or the girl next door – she’s standing on stage and it’s as if the voice of someone soulful, sultry, sexy, older sings straight through her. Each of us has a gift to give the world and Joss clearly understands what she is meant to share.
Touring the UK in intimate settings prior to the release of her newest album, she offers her grassroots fans a fantastic show complete with band, back up singers, and a bit of polite conversation. She’ll sing her part.
It’s quite a bit like a show built for a bigger venue, but gives a certain air of closeness that you miss in a stadium. In fact, last night one of Birmingham’s locals asked Joss out for a curry after the show. I am not quite sure that her coy smile said either “yes†or “noâ€, but he’ll always have that.
Opening for Joss was a singer/songwriter friend Adam Isaac, also from Devon. Quite the cure for my headache, Adam has a fantastic voice and an accessible style. Adam’s energy is refreshing to say the very least; his clever lyrics and poetic wordplay won my heart almost instantly. If your iTunes folder includes anything by Jason Mraz, Jon Meyer, or Jack Johnson you should check out Adam Isaac.
If you are in Birmingham, do look up the The Rainbow Pub. You’ll be sure to enjoy.