Best wishes to all forumistas for 2014.
I was mulling over 'cultural' highlights for 2013 with our son George and we thought that it would be interesting to hear what were SOTWsters. One choice - a gig, recording, book, movie, whatever. Here's mine:
Chastity Brown at The Green Note 12th September.
I was looking forward to this, I like her latest album ('Back Road Highways') and I like The Green Note. It was an even better night than I'd hoped for. The gig was sold out and the atmosphere was buzzy. The venue had put on an extra set the day before and the word was that it was good. From the start Chastity showed she' a non-conformist. Her album is is named after the title of the final track on her previous record; also, not only had she left her band behind in Minniapolis, (she had come with just her , excellent, keyboardist Blair Masters), she'd left her banjo and sax too. She's recognised as being a mean exponent of both. Instead she played guitar and harmonica and accompanied herself on electric piano for one number. For the first minute of the the first number her guitar playing was a bit wobbly, then she hit her stride and away she went, she was good. She's got a great voice, more soulful than on record and a slightly idiosyncratic singing style, fascinating not irritating. Her stage presence is feisty with a droll sense of humour, on occassions very witty. Most of her repetoire was from the album' but she did a variety of other numbers too; several of which were very moving.
If I were to make comparisons, I'd say she's got somthing of Macy Gray about her. It's not tangible, it's her demeanour. But I won't dwell on comparisons, she was brilliant in her own right and even better than her album. The cocktail was superb - Chastity, The Green Note, the crowd, even getting home in the late evening was painless.
Looking forward to your MMs
Aly