"Nice Set Last Night ... Really Cool"
Jon Hubbard, Hubcap Promotions, Reading Promoter
"...an array of very strong songs, with catchy choruses, demonstrating a strong singing voice and real passion for his songs - I'd recommend checking Andrew out live soon."
Joanne Kelly, Reading Radio DJ
"I thought Something Wild was an Old Velvet Underground tune I hadn't heard. Excellent!!? I dig it all."
Obdan, YouTube User
"Absolutely Love This Song (Something Wild)"
DennyCraneLocknLoad, YouTube User
" "Love The Stones' Cover (Sympathy For The Devil)."
Vic Cracknell, Surrey & Hants Musician / Promoter
"I've been listening to At The Water's Edge - very impressed, really like it. Has a sort of Lou Reed / Velvet Underground feel to it - good songs, quite quirky and unusual, thoughtful lyrics and some stand out guitar palying!"
Brian Hurrell, Farnham (Surrey) Musician
" "You've Got The Magic Back...They are great lyrics and very pertinent to my thoughts."
Jayne Ferst, Novelist
""A cracking singer / songwriter"
Aquillo, Farnham Band
"Listening to Andrew Shearer's CD, "At The Water's Edge." Very impressed! *Dances*"
Raji Kulatilake, Reading Musician
"....Andrew has the gift of making people feel good about themselves..."
Maija, Reading Musician
"...able to put unflinchingly honest songs to warm, melodic music... a favourite for those with itchy feet..."
Luke Paolo, Reading Musician
"...able to put unflinchingly honest songs to warm, melodic music... a favourite for those with itchy feet..."
Luke Paolo, Reading Musician

GIGS

Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Monroe's Rock Cafe, Reading (RG1 2LG)

Bohemian Night open-mic hosted by Rob Sowden

"A Nice Surprise"

When I was a fledgling open-micer full of nerves a few years back I clearly remember a group of diners generously cheering me on from my stage left as I sang Get Up! Little did I know that an hour later they would take to the stage as Jakabo and blow myself and the rest of Deja Vu (as Bohemian Night was called then) away with their versions of old soul / blues classics. I was therefore pleased to discover Maria Megally, Jamie Sandison and Paul Baker (no Adam Robins as he was unavailable) waiting to take to the stage last Wednesday night. Unsurprisingly with Maria's powerful soul voice, Jamie's unbelievable guitar (I've heard musician s far more knowledgeable than I say he's the best guitarist they've seen) and Paul providing the beat on cajon, they gave an energetic performance that even surpassed the last time I saw them. It was really great to see them again. Other highlights of the evening for me were Jodie Slade Thomas from Reading University Singer songwriters (RUSS) who with her lovely voice did superb covers of a Pixies song and Laura Marlin song, and Maija who did a sublime "nail on the head" rendition of her own song Don't Love Me. As for me, well I'm hoping Jakabo could see a difference in the "let me have another drink / can we wait a bit before I go on" performer the first time they saw me. I certainly feel different, particularly recently, almost as if a switch has been flicked on, though I'm not sure I'm still connecting with the audience as much as I'd like.