It was a ‘Souled ‘ out night on the eve of Valentines at World Café Live (at The Queen) in Wilmington Delaware. The featured performer was Brian Owens with special guests – Darnell from The Tilting Windmills and Nadjah Nicole.
Fans and supporters came through a light layer of snow to enjoy the warmth of some good ol' soul music just as many would counteract the cold weather with a cup of hot chocolate by the fireside.
To warm things up, Darnell from The Tilting Windmills opened the show. Not only did he warm things up with his voice but he displayed of raw ‘in your face’ self accompaniment of his exceptional guitar playing. He proved to be an audience charmer and an icebreaker to give the evening a great start. Be sure to check out “My Life With You,” now on iTunes by The Tilting Windmills.
Nadjah Nicole followed Darnell’s set with her brand of soul music. Heads were bobbing, feet were tapping through her performance and there was no doubt that the audience enjoyed her. Nadjah performed originals and covers during her set, which turned out to be a great lead into the featured performer of the evening.
As a well-oiled performance machine along with his three-piece band, Brian Owens started his set with a bang. His sound of soul, blues and gospel permeated the hall, walls and the audience. He didn’t talk much and it didn’t matter because he made sure it was all about the music. “Till Morning Breaks,” made the audience pay close attention and there were memorable arrangements of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” and Sam Cook’s “ A Change is Gonna Come.” The attending audience was satisfied with the evening.
Brief Bio on Brian
Raised in St. Louis and a son of a preacher, Brian grew up singing in church. His father also pursued music and served as a foundation for Brian to build on. Brian would spend many friday nights at home in front of the big old stereo with the built in TV and listen to Nat King Cole’s compilation.
“Growing up, I would watch my father sing and see the effect it had on people. When he delivered a song, it was pure and genuine, and that’s what touches people and changes people’s lives,” Brian explains, noting the light within his father’s music.
Brian Owens’ debut Moods And Messages is vibrantly vintage—aesthetically it follows the groove gospel of classic 1960s and 1970s soul but it has a very “in the now” emotionality. Brian’s vocals are a revelation—purposeful and passionate—he remains his own stylist while recalling the sensual urgency of Marvin Gaye, the comforting falsetto of Curtis Mayfield, and tender grit of Sam Cook.
The album has wonderful thematic symmetry: Songs postulate difficult questions that redemptive correlating songs answer. The sweet and gentle pining of “I Just Want To Feel Alright” is matched up with the spiritually nourishing “The Answer.” “Every song has a coinciding message, every mood has a message,” he says, referencing the album title and conceptual bend. “’I Just Want to Feel Alright’ is a plea for help. It’s when you’re at the point where you will just settle for feeling alright. If you want to feel alright, Jesus is that figure, that person that makes it alright. The answer is ‘The Answer’ which my father sings,” Brian explains.
For more information on Brian Owens, please visit: http://brianowens.tv/
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