Brickfields, Cambridge Saturday 15th October 2005 concert review by Ruth Saint.

The launch concert for Note For A Child's second album 'Eternal Curve' is at Brickfields - a converted warehouse and home to the City Church, Cambridge. The venue soon fills with a mixed age audience eager to hear if NFAC's 'Eternal Curve' can continue where 'Impossibly Beautiful' has left us - wanting more. As we take our seats with our most welcome complimentary drink, guest band In Camera, from London, start the evening off. David (where did you get that shirt?) Perry (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Leah Marshall (vocals) perform a short set of their songs; a collection of gentle and at times, light hearted reflections on life. I particularly like the very catchy "Standing In Your Shoes" containing the line "Senility is wasted on the old, I forget why." They are accompanied by double bass and trumpet for their song "Happiness", a jazzy number about "painting the town" in many colours, which they clearly enjoy singing. "Hues And Blues" is another well crafted song. They finish with a lullaby sung beautifully by Leah called "Dream" and deserve the warm applause they receive. The band have an EP available, 'In Camera', recorded by Andy Cross at Zoo Audio which includes some of the songs from their performance.

Until this evening I have only seen Note For A Child perform short sets at Greenbelt. I am really looking forward to seeing a full concert with time to savour that "other world" atmosphere that Susie and Daniel and their band members create so effortlessly and have conveyed so well on 'Impossibly Beautiful'. Noticeably relaxed on home ground with many family and friends in the audience, the mood is informal but this doesn't mean that NFAC's performance is anything less than professional as they play two 45 minute sets.

A haunting introduction with "The River" from 'Eternal Curve' and we are all chilled out immediately. Carefully crafted visuals by Daniel are projected centre, left and right stage. Suddenly you have a dilemma - you have to choose between admiring Daniel's artwork and photography, which gently compliment the lyrics; watching the band members create that distinct NFAC sound or follow Susie as she gracefully commands centre stage and performs the songs that have become your best friends.

Two more songs follow from the new release; "Song For Tomorrow" and a love song - "Sky In Your Eyes", (already familiar to those who have purchased 'Late And Alone') which Daniel has written for his fiancée Anna. Those keen to hear the new album but also hoping to enjoy their favourites from 'Impossibly Beautiful' are not disappointed as they interweave nearly every song from 'Eternal Curve' with songs from their debut album. Their performance of "The Western Reach" is particularly enchanting, as is Daniel's "Vermeer's Astronomer". Introducing many of the new songs Daniel helpfully explains the inspiration behind them; which only enhances the lyrics more and sets the scene, as you listen to something new.

"Faint" contains some beautiful lines and is inspired by Daniel's contemplation of God's promises that haven't yet been realised in his life - a personal and beautiful song. Susie and Daniel sing together on "The Floating World"; a song inspired by CS Lewis' stories of Narnia. The evening draws to a close with two songs from 'Impossibly Beautiful', my personal favourite - "September Song", which Susie dedicates to her daughter, and "Every Part Of Me". The album title track, "Eternal Curve", is an instrumental piece, which surprisingly they choose not to play tonight.

So how does 'Eternal Curve' compare to 'Impossibly Beautiful'? It has definitely moved on, some tracks are more upbeat. The two albums do compliment each other however, and if you have already enjoyed 'Impossibly Beautiful' I'm confident you'll love 'Eternal Curve'. If you have not encountered NFAC before, take Susie's advice and listen to 'Impossibly Beautiful' before 'Eternal Curve' to follow their intriguing musical journey.