Credit: Daniel Merriweather Offical Site
Daniel Merriweather held a spontaneous acoustic show at The Viper Room in West Hollywood, Monday February 22nd. Merriweather, who is best known for his vocal collaboration on Mark Ronson’s adaptation of The Smith’s song “Stop Me”, has just released a new album, Love & War, released by JRecords/Allido Records, on February 23rd.
As The Viper Room’s signature black curtain opened Daniel Merriweather stood center stage alongside his acoustic guitarist and piano player. He was wearing a tan, red, blue, and white patterned button up shirt that brought me back to the 1990s when a group like Boys to Men reigned over the charts. The only difference, Daniel Merriweather is a one man group.
Merriweather humbly and softly introduced himself, his band mates, and the first song “Change”. The piano keys began their signature cascade and his voice lured us all in. La La La La La-ing. Immediately, his vocal delivery came out flowing like a vocal pauper to all of us looking up at him while his uplifting, soulful voice entranced me into being an immediate fan.
Like a fresh breath of 1960s soul the song “Cigarettes” was up next. Daniel played story teller and explained that it was based off of making a mess out of a relationship after a night of heavy drinking. He managed to take a song about infidelity and reconstruct it into an intimate and heart pumping experience.
It wasn’t hard to tell from the audiences faces that “Red” was the most emotionally moving songs of the evening. From beginning to the very end Merriweather’s voice sent chills up everybody’s spine. No one looked away from him. It was amazing. I’ve never felt more crooned in my life. Even more amazing to see really manly men get misty eyed. This man can SING. Better yet, he can LEAD and command an entire rooms attention at the drop or peak of any note. Standing two people from the stage I could feel the vast power coming from his lungs and I could FEEL the notes on my skin.
“Impossible” was the last song of his set and a very memorable ending to the night. It is about doing anything, going to any length, for whom and what you love. The accompanying guitar and piano set the dramatic tones and the audience off. Fans sang “Impossible” word for word. The intense loyalty and devotion Merriweather had to the moment made everyone in the room feel like he would do anything for them. And he did. He gave his all and we held onto every moment.
I am going to say right here and now that Daniel Merriweather will rule the airwaves. I know that he can go toe-to-toe with Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake in vocal ability, strength, sex appeal, and definitely has more street-cred than the two chart toppers combined. Merriweather is what the music industry needs right now – a strong and passionate male voice with a loyal fan base like the one seen in Los Angeles. I know for a fact that he will blow up BIG in the states and around the world. Daniel Merriweather has staying power and is in it for the long haul. And as a live music writer and a music lover I am so fortunate to be able to say that I was there to see him bear his soul in an intimate show at The Viper Room before his first album hit Los Angeles.
Daniel Merriweather’s album Love & War is out NOW! GO BUY IT!
He is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC Friday February 26th, and will be performing in Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA in the month of April.
For more information and updates on Daniel Merriweather check out his website!
