JIMMY LIVINGSTONE UK TOUR 2014

Jimmy Livingstone's first headline UK tour starts on January 20th. Jimmy is an emerging British singer/songwriter. He supported Lucinda Williams over the summer following the release of his acclaimed debut album, One eye open, one eye closed.

Jimmy Livingstone is a British singer/songwriter. This summer he was chosen by the queen of Americana herself, Lucinda Williams, as support act on her UK tour following the release of his acclaimed debut album, One eye open, one eye closed. He will be setting off on his first headline UK tour in late January.

Jimmy's songs come with a rich voice, a big heart, a splash of Americana and a sliver of soul. His album is a big-budget record made on a wing and a prayer. It was recorded between London and Los Angeles on borrowed time in studios, big and small, in lounges, garages, bedrooms, basements and a church. Having become homeless in LA, he eventually ran out of couches to surf and found his way to a remote shack in the Mojave desert where he finished the album on his own.

The recording brought together an incredible array of musicians who heard the songs and just wanted to play on them. Among them were Lucinda Williams' and John Mayer's guitarist, Doug Pettibone, Doggen from Spiritualized, Frank Zappa's old brass section, Matt Round from Billy Bragg's band and Evan Jenkins from the Neil Cowley trio. It was, in Jimmy's words, 'quite a trip'.

He will be playing solo on the tour, singing songs old and new and telling stories of a life lived with a glint in his eye….

"Life can be chaotic and, in order to survive, I guess I became a man with many hats… I'm gradually earning the luxury of owning just one - the hat I sing in. Whatever dumb job I've had to do, on the side I’ve been digging out my voice and learning how to articulate what I think and feel about the world through song. It was always about trying to reach somewhere that felt authentic. Some people have it all there at 19. I wasn't one of those people but I'm getting there now."

The critics on One eye open, one eye closed...

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ' a very promising debut album from Jimmy Livingstone, called One eye open, one eye closed… It's not hard to see why Lucinda Williams has chosen the Brit as the support act for her current tour'.

MUSIC WEEK… ' A refreshingly down-to-earth, beautifully crafted and soulfully uplifting listen'.

FOLKWORDS… 'Aside from the indelible richness of voice, alluring melodies and sharply discerning lyrics this album offers tales of life told with terrifying truth - and damn fine it is too'.

LOVE MUSIC LOVE LIFE… 'It’s impossible not to listen to this album all the way through. The craftsmanship and style is reminiscent of artists such as the great Jimmy Webb, Roy Orbison and Neil Diamond… a remarkable piece of work. It would be a sin not to have this incredible musical memoir in your collection'.

ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE… ‘Livingstone's highly assured debut co-opts the authenticating US twangery of US guitarist, Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams band), with the widescreen, orchestral narratives and hard-luck balladry beloved of tasteful left-field crooners from Scott Walker to Richard Hawley… The overall talent on show here promises an intriguing future’.

AMERICANA UK… Midlands-born Livingstone goes straight for the jugular, emulating the best of Glen Campbell's big budget '70's recordings.

Tour dates

January

Monday 20th The Greys, Brighton

Tuesday 21st The Green Note (Camden) London

Thursday 23rd The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

Friday 24th The Lomax, Liverpool

Friday 31stThe Acorn Arts Centre, Penzance

February

Tuesday 4th The Cluny 2, Newcastle

Wednesday 5th The Woodend B & T club, Glasgow (supporting Andy White)

Thursday 6th The Old Library, Kilbarchan