Live in Utrecht is a recording of the second show of Rouse’s summer 2024 tour (June to July), which visited 13 cities starting in the Netherlands and finishing in England. It captures the acoustic performance at Club 9 at the Tivoli in Utrecht, and has an intimate warm sound (recorded by live engineer Timo).
Rouse has an impressive catalogue of 14 or so studio albums, with seven (Home, 1972, Nashville, Subtitulo, The Embers of Time, Love In The Modern Age and Going Places) represented here. Fan favourite Nashville in particular gets some focus with “My Love Has Gone”, “It’s The Night Time” and singalong “Winter in the Hamptons” admirably converted to acoustic versions.
Acoustic performances can be a downbeat affair but Rouse’s energetic performance is full of life; there’s the warmth of “Sunshine” and “1972”, some distinct swagger on “Comeback”, “Crystal Falls” and “Under Your Charms”, and making the best of things with a gentle but determined whistle on “Quiet Town”, “Summertime” and “Salton Sea”.
Rouse’s songs excel in their storytelling and are suited to being stripped back, well demonstrated here in the narratives of “Henry Miller’s Flat”, “Stick Around” and the brooding “Directions”. Highlights include “Love in the Modern Age”, with some unexpected but engaging audience participation, and the cover of Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay”.
Release Date: 06 SEP 2024
Poetic Justice 
Leave a comment