(Log in to disable ads.)

Why so little comment? Several of us saw him the other night, and I didn't see anybody looking anything less than impressed by Mr Newman's performance. And I know he has fans on this forum.

I was also running the night - which involves keeping in touch with the performers still to come, chatting to the sound guy, explaining to people that sorry, all the performance slots are taken etc etc - so I didn't get to WATCH him for the whole performance. But some impressions....

1) Very, very calm and still and seemingly tranquil on stage. But OK... it's not like this was the first time, or even the 50th time he'd been playing live.

2) Incredible economy of movement.

3) He produced some very interesting effects through right-hand techniques. Different ways of attacking the strings. He gets various harmonic and percussive effects in this way. I remember at one point thinking that this strange sort of harmonic distortion had got into some part of the signal chain and that it was actually quite musical, then I realised it was being turned on and off and it was Newman who was controlling it.

4) Whilst I appreciate these kinds of details more as I learn more about the guitar and playing it, I don't think performances can rely just on subtleties of technique. I found his compositions very engaging, some lovely harmonic movements, intriguing melodies. He set up some really dreamy, trancy drones on some some numbers.

5) Great rhythmic sense. His tempo was rock solid. Made great use of syncopation (both in his guitar playing and with the percussive touches).

Any comments? Anything to add?
    Nicely done Bob.

    If i may add to that...

    Brendan and i were talking about his left hand technique as well. Steve tends to place his fretting fingers almost on the frets.

    And he does have a fantastic sense of rhythm. I love the part where sets up the groove and then almost teases the listener by playing slightly behind the beat (the metronome's in his head). And also the part where he'd play the motif is quarters and then change it to 16th the next time the motif comes around.
    Very interesting player.

    And you did a pretty awesome job organising it Bob. Thank you.

      • [deleted]

      • Post #3
      The most striking and obvious impressions were, yes, his economy of movement and softness of attack, which meant he had a great deal of control over his volume. Also, that he plays a high-risk game by playing with his eyes closed yet fretting on the wire. It's quite something when he changes positions around the neck at speed. Also, the way he's very clearly a sponge for cultural-musical idiosyncratic touches - in going from Cape Town to Madrid, what he's doing is pure, undiluted. Also, as Arjun mentioned, when he decides to sit in his own pocket behind the tempo for a while, his timing is absolutely impeccable. He a mastah.
        yeah i agree with all said above."steve newman is the master "

        and yeah i was telling Bob . he is directly responsible for my love of nylon multipart playing...... i saw him and tony cox live when i was about 15 (and dinasours roamed the planet ) it was one of their earliest colaborations.......... but it inspired me beyond expectations......

        and i still rate him as one of the most tasteful players i have ever seen touch a nylon string ......... and to boot he's a way cool guy ....... how rare is that in this biz ......

        so sorry i missed the Tj's but I do need to pay the rent .... but i have seen him play late last year and now he has a few more gigs around my hometown .....if i'm off i'll go support him ..........

        wonder if i could twist his arm for some master class's if he's gonna be in jhb for a while???? i'll call him monday
          Say no more

          It has been said already, but almost seems as if the guitar is an extension of his body. The way he plays with his eyes closed and with almost no effort. I hadn't seen Steve since the Tananas days long years ago, and he has developed into a master guitarist.

          The rhythmic percussive thing he does with his right hand seems so effortless and gentle but at the same time controlled and forceful. I thought his timing was incredible.

          And when Steve played, there was a sense of awe that filled TJ's, it almost seems as everyone stopped drinking, scratching their noses etc and put all their focus on him!

          My new Gas is a good quality Nylon.....
            Write a Reply...