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Friday 18 November 2011

Su Casa - 17/11/11

I've always felt that the adage 'if you haven't got anything nice to say then don't say anything' seems to be more about individuals attempting to avoid criticism than them trying to promote positivity.
Then again I could be wrong. It has been known to happen.
So for a couple of weeks I'm going to give it a try in the reviews on the blog and see how that works out.
So here goes.
Last night in Su Casa I seen Martin McLaughlan. I have nothing else to say about that.
Next was Matt Scott who I have plenty to say about.
Matt is a star in the making.
If you had a tick list made up that covered every single attribute that would lead to success then there's already a little tick in every box.
He's an accomplished musician.
He can write songs that have a depth to them that most young men of his age couldn't match.
He has the ability to convey the emotion in the lyrics, and I'm sure the ladies would say that he aint too bad on the eye either.
Like I said he ticks all the boxes.
Imagine a young man who knows the importance of Dylan and Springsteen as songwriters, understands how the blues work and similar to a band like the Kings of Leon is able to make it all sound fresh.
That's what Matt does, and all that he needs to take it to the next level is to be in the right place at the right time.
After Matt we were treated to a couple playing guitar and violin.
Unfortunately I only caught the name of the violinist. The lovely Francesca Masucci.
I got the impression that it was more of a jam than anything else, but when two people can follow the nuanced moves of each other in the manner that they could it becomes something that bit special.
It all sounded very evocative, and with your eyes closed you could have imagined that you were fireside in a gypsy encampment in Spain, or somewhere similar.
It was a fantastic - if short - set, and one that Su Casa should be rightly proud of giving a platform to.
Jamie Uchima was to play next and I enjoyed his poetic style and delivery.
Another nice gear change in the music for the audience
There sounded like there was a great deal of a Goo Goo Dolls influence in the guitar playing, but vocally and lyrically there's not a hint of it.
Three songs into his set and it was all positivity. However I have nothing to say about the last song of his set.
See what I did there?
Anyway onwards to the more positive comments again.
Little Fire was to follow Jamie, and along with one of Melisa Kelly's Harmless Thieves on cajon and Francesca Masucci making her second appearance of the night, he ran through a few of his songs that I'm already familiar with.
Yet it has to be said that in the context of a small band, rather than solo, the material is given wings. Little Fire is great on his own, but with others it just takes it all into another direction that is equally as impressive.
The violin in particular goes hand in hand with the material and gives his voice a solid foundation to layer itself over.
Very lovely, and maybe a small hint of what is to come from Little Fire in the future.
I've seen the next band Fole, and front man James Foley, a couple of times now and I've always been impressed with them, but this time they seemed sharper, faster and more urgent than they have been previously, and it was all good.
There song 'Tightrope' sounded especially muscular and the it's good to see that the original music that they are playing can be shaded in different ways.
If I was to list a top ten of favourite Ayrshire acts then Fole would definitely be on it.
The last act to entertain us was the irrepressible Melisa Kelly.
I say irrepressible as she is down with a cold and while some singers would use that as a reason to pull a performance Melisa doesn't, and apart from a short apology it's all business.
Similar to Matt Scott, Melisa is a talent waiting to be discovered.
She has the whole package going on to.............and that voice. What a voice.
Every once in a while female vocalists come along and through the sheer force of the passion in their voices manage to draw attention to themselves.
Billie Holiday did it in the field of jazz and Janis Joplin rocked the world. Both had that raw attention to the detail of the vocal and Melisa has it to.
You believe every single utterance. She's one hundred percent authentic in her delivery, she doesn't just sing the songs, but emotes them.
You really had to be there, but as some weren't I'm hoping to get Fole and Melisa down to play a Sunday Session in 2012 and I can't wait to see them blow everyone away.
Thanks to Robert Gemmell here's some footage shot on a phone from the night.

7 comments:

  1. An absolutely stunning night!
    Memorable in more ways than one!

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  2. Matt is such a wee sexy.
    Sorry Mainy, but I got bored of the Facebook rants and thought I'd slap out with staunch gay patter.

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  3. As you well know I have broad shoulders, thick skin and smoldering good looks for a man of my age.
    On a good day I even manage a twinkle in my eye.
    I'll see you tonight, and as I'm not working tomorrow I think we can do some damage to the bevvy in Jollys.
    That's how I deal with a shitty week rather than issuing threats.

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  4. I got sent a link to the threatening thread Mainy. Funny as fuck.

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  5. Who sent you the link John?
    It seems to be getting passed around and a few people have messaged me and said that they were shocked at the venom and they would never book him or play with him due to it.
    All I can say about that is if it is in some way to support me then it really isn't required as the threats don't bother me at all.
    If it based on just being disgusted at the content then fair enough.
    People will do what people do.
    Personally I can't see how I can be held responsible for the effects of his actions as I'm not promoting that people shouldn't work with him.
    That's rooted in how he has conducted himself.

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  6. You're a cunt, a funny cunt. That guys just a cunt.

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  7. I remember many years ago harbouring a fair amount of ill will towards Martin Fry of ABC (the look of hate) because he had the nerve to rip an SLF single to death on a juke box jury type of thing on the radio. For a few years I disliked him with a passion. Then I grew up and realised that not only did he have the right to offer his opinion when asked. But, moreover, he was absolutely 100% correct, "The Price Of Admission" was a pile of shite! Most of us have a certain amount of the sycophantic within us, when we are going through our formitive years. We all want our band to be the best in the world. If we know this person we may hold a wish to share in the glory "when they make it big" This is when, I have noted the vitriolic expressions of vengeance can lose sight of reality.

    The secret I've learned over the years is to let it slide a little at a time as we progress along our life's path. I am sure I ain't alone in this.

    Reviewers are human the same as everyone else. They're entitled to their opinion. a reviewer in a good mood and an artist on top of their game, will on;y make for a positive review. If the reviewer can connect with the product being put forward. It isn't a crime not to get the point of a performance/ performer. it also doesnt afford the disgruntled fanatic the right to smash someone's teeth in because a critic views differs from their's! You throw the dice and take your chances for better... fate can be a cruel mistress, so fucking deal with it!

    It ain't the end of the world if someone doesn't tune in or see the imaginary talent you see lurking deep within. It's also fair to say that a bad review can have a positive effect. if we take the case and point of Charles Shaar Murray's review of THE CLASH show at the famous screen on the green gig in Islington in 1976. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3592288/Joe-is-dead-but-the-Clash-are-immortal.html

    Jimmy Logan.

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