Laurence Bray.

Lev 1. Esquires Bedford. 9th December 2010.

It was thirty years ago yesterday that music legend John Lennon was shot. Although tenuous, the connection between the former Beatle and tonight's acoustic performer Laurence Bray is evident. Not even born when the murder occurred, Laurence has a vocal style and delivery that draws very heavily from Beatles fanatic Liam Gallagher. At times Laurence did overdo the 'stars in your eyes' comparison. He must resist the urge to constantly copy that sneering imitation, without taking away his natural and confident performing. Allied to this is an excellent portfolio of songs. His lyrics are strong and all tell interesting stories.

The next few weeks could prove very exciting for Laurence as he is due to record a few tracks at the prestigious Cookham Studio in Maidenhead. This means working with the famous music producer Stuart Epps, a man who started at D.J.M. back in the sixties and has worked on albums by George Michael, Oasis, George Harrison and, for him most notably, Elton John. Naturally, Laurence is excited by the prospect and his song "Rich and Famous" is sung with extra meaning. This could be the key to future success. This composition and his opener "Coming Down" will both be available on iTunes next month. In fact, the latter is a brave starter as it tells of "coming off the narcotics". Heavy stuff as he describes vividly "It feels like I've flown in through grey skies"! It has a very Richard Ashcroft feel to the whole song. What follows is in a lighter vein, "lay in bed and wait for the sun". On this chilly evening it's a very appealing thought!

Laurence Bray is tall and lean. He wears a green T shirt with the distinctive Stones logo glistening and sparkling under the lights of the bar. The cleverly written "Mystery Sheet" offers up a dilemma. Is it to be wife or lover that the man commits to? Almost of similar ilk is "Mrs Wilde", a song written loosely about a girl that he once took a shine to. Unfortunately it was not reciprocated and she eventually moved to Greece, he glumly announced. Breaking out of the soap opera sagas is "It's All in the Mind". It's a song that he hasn't played live in ages. With a couple of guests joining Laurence for his final two songs, he certainly saved the night for TVS Music who promoted the evening, after the late cancellation of Amy and Jack.