Tom Odell – Biltmore Cabaret – October 4, 2013
Just 6 months after his debut at Media Club, Tom Odell returned to Vancouver for a show at the Biltmore Cabaret. The audience packed into the small venue to hear the BRIT Award winner perform tracks from his debut album “Long Way Down”.
A significant number of young ladies lined up early along the stage’s edge to get a close look at the 22 year old as he sat down at this piano to start the show with “Grow Old With Me”. Accompanied by a 3 piece backing band, the hour long set included Odell’s own songs as well as a cover of The Beatles “Get Back” and Paul Simon’s “Gone At Last”. The covers helped to show, Odell’s inspiration and influences are diverse, also reflected in the variety of songs styles through the show.
Hard pounding beats on the piano similar to early rockers like Jerry Lee Lewis mixed with gentle easy songs like the other piano men Elton John and Billy Joel. For a young singer/songwriter, Odell clearly recognized his role in carrying on the musical legacy. The diverse audience also reflects his range, as everyone can find something to relate to in his music, or in his looks as was the case of a few of the young girls up front shouting “Your Hot!”. Sweating profusely, his humble response was to ask “Is it hot in here, or just us?”.
With the performer so close to the audience in The Biltmore, the show feels even more intimate allowing the crowd to be part of the show. The cheers and singing along almost overwhelmed the band during “Another Love” but it made for a shining moment in a night of brilliant talent.
Find more of Tom Odell on the road, online, on Twitter @TomPeterOdell, on Facebook.com/TomOdellMusic, Instagram @TomPeterOdell and TomOdellVevo on YouTube
