joel wrote:
My summation :-\
Gerald Clark : passionate , good muso , but always reminds me of a subway busker. He needs to 'up his game' a few levels ....imo.
Peter Hoven : usually does very good Clapton impersonations....missed the opportunity this time round. Backing band also not up to scratch.
Albert Frost : mmmm..... the looping thing is becoming a tad boring and monotonous. Also , he really needs to remedy his tonez on the electric guitar. It was baaaad ....imo ☹
The Boulevard Blues Band : As usual , a class act. Tight , awesome band. Definately top of the Blues-rock pile. Richard Pryor ( my SA idol ), a master guitarist of note , skillfuly delivered the goods. They promised to be back in JHB soon 8)
Good summation joel. I'd have to say that I was blown away by all four sets such that I find it hard to identify their weaknesses, even though I'm sure they have some. I agree, Gerald Clark does come across as a subway busker, not sure if it's a bad thing though. What I would like to see differently from him is more of a comfortable on stage persona. The way he introduced his songs and his idle chat between songs just seemed to suggest a bad case of nerves on his part. But his vocals are great and he certainly has soul. When he jumped on stage with Peter Hoven for "Hard Times" I think they were brilliant.
Peter Hoven, also, doesn't seem to have much of a stage personality. He didn't seem as nervous as Clark but he just lacked some charisma I think. I definitely liked his music though and I love his vocals.
Albert Frost was a great experience. His style of music is not what I would typically listen to but it was very entertaining to see him in action. I think he's a great showman and he delivered his brand masterfully. He seems not to shy away from experimenting with tones and techniques which I enjoyed. I mean, what was the wah-wah, flanged, overdriven funk thing he had going there? I wouldn't have thought of it and he did it with such conviction that I think it worked brilliantly.
Boulevard Blues: I couldn't agree with you more. For the duration of their set I was riveted. Richard Pryor might well be the best guitarist I have had the privilege to see live. If they do come back to Jhb I'll be there like bear.
