Sunday 2nd November 2025
Photos, review and videos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 2nd November 2025. The debut appearance of Alice Howe and Freebo at The Live Room, Saltaire. There was a good crowd but I think if we’re lucky enough for a second appearance it will be a sell out on word of mouth alone. “We’re so glad to be at The Live Room, it has the best wallpaper of everywhere”, they announced at the start of the show. The semi antique, post diluvian Workingmen’s Club décor at the Live Room attracts a lot of attention from our musical guests. Amazement or incredulity rather than admiration possibly.
The opening song “Twilight” with Alice taking lead vocals gave us an indication of the musicianship and vocals we about to be entertained by for the rest of the evening. It set quite a benchmark. Freebo has a great back story and so much experience and stories from playing with some of the legends of Americana. His bass playing is legendary and it was easy to see why. His vocals backed Alice on the first song along with the inspired bass playing.
Alice took lead on the first 3 songs before we had a blues from Freebo “She’s My Personal GPS”, another of his songs followed “Everything To Do With Love”. The harmonies were superb as was Freebo’s acoustic guitarwork. Alice took over bass duties occasionally throughout the show while Freebo played guitar as well as bass. Another Freebo song for the dog lovers out there was next , “She Loves Me More Than My Dog”.
“Standing Ovation” was next, Freebo taking the lead again. The next song was from Alice, about her Dad, he passed when she was 18, “ a fine chap” she called him, “Forever Is A Long Time”, a very moving song. Alice taking lead guitar and vocals with Freebo’s bass meandering gently through the song. Very rapidly we were at the last song of the set. Another Alice song, “What About You”. The Merch desk was very busy at the interval.
Set Two opened with “Your Love Is The Flame”, a co write , as yet unrecorded, Alice taking lead vocals. Set 2 featured some cover songs. They were all excellent , the first had Alice singing the classic Dylan song “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right. There were also covers from Little Steven, Lowell George , Stephen Bruton , John Prine and an immaculately arranged and performed version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You”.
Those who know me know that generally I regard Joni covers as sacrilege but this was superb. We’ve had some great Joni covers at TLR, The Shook Twins version of “Blue” was immense also. Another new song followed “Daddy’s Car”, Alice taking the lead , some great bass runs throughout. There was some great rapport with the audience throughout the show. Freebo took the lead vocals and guitar on the late Stephen Bruton’s “Too Many Memories”, a truly beautiful song that forced you to listen to the lyrics.
The harmonies were divine. Another cover followed “Sailing Shoes” from Little Feat, in many people’s opinion the best live band ever. Freebo sang his first ever song “If Not Now When”, it’s about doing something you’re not sure of or wondering whether to do . It reminded me a little of the sentiments of the late Guy Clarke’s “The Cape”, both mentioning a leap of faith. John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” preceded the encore “A Case Of You”. We were lucky enough to get a second encore , another co write “Sometimes It’s For Nothing”. This up-tempo song allowed the Live Room choir to join in. It was , without doubt, a really good night. The room was buzzing. The audiences line was “I Feel Good!!!”, they certainly did!
