JAMES - OCTOBER 2005
I'm cheating here as I've just copied my reviews from BS......lol,
CARLING ACADEMY 27th OCT:
Trying to read my notes from Thursday night and finding them quite hard to decipher but here goes;
I actually found Evi Vine to be very good, I really liked her style and found some of her songs quite hauntingly beautiful especially with the deep drum beat, I definately could listen to more from her.
What can be said about James that hasn't already, he just seem's to appear and the mood instantly changes. I won't go into what he was wearing as that has already been commented upon, I'm just posting about my personal view of the gig. His voice and playing definately get's better everytime I see him and tonight was no different although I got the impression he seemed a little subdued to begin with, but definately picked up as the gig progressed, as PK has posted the set list I won't go through that either but will say I loved the two new songs and the one he said he wrote when he was 21.......I was just delighted that he included Angel and This Town as they are among my favourites.
I really don't know what else to say to be honest as it is a little difficult to say something totally new about James' performances without sounding trite.
St JAMES' 28th OCTOBER
I enjoyed St James much more this time than in April, thanks to NN I had a far better view and unrestricted this time
I liked 'little' Al Britten and he gave a good performance, but I have to say personally I prefered Evi Vine the evening before no 'boos' please from the Al lovers, but to be honest I can't even remember any of his songs
James was on form and sounded great, his interaction with the audience always makes me smile, and the dive-bombing mouse nearly gave me heart failure.....lol
It is getting really hard to describe how I fell when I watch a James gig, except to say I'm always thrilled by the sound of his voice and the way he portrays his songs
Suffice to say I loved it.
WORDS AND MUSIC 29th OCTOBER;
WOW
That's how I felt after being privileged enough to see this 'reduced' version of Macbeth. James gave a spellbinding performance and definately more than showed his versatility as an actor, and his own word's between scene's made it easy for anyone not knowledgable of this work to be able to follow it with ease. His portrayal of anger, madness, passion and pathos had me riveted. The actress playing Lady M (Cheryl I think, forgot to note her name properly ooops)
was as comanding a performer as James and played the part brilliantly, as someone already mentioned the chance to see Lady M portrayed as a lover, wife and equal only led to a better understanding of this character, and the act when she was 'calming' guests at the banquet while James was seeing and speaking to ghosts, was wonderful.
This was a great performance by both actors and was truly deserving of the ovation they recieved.
I thoroughly enjoyed the small Q&A after the performance, interesting questions and as usual when James get's onto the subject of Macbeth, great replies, I could listen to him talk about and give his opinions on the play all night long.......
The gig was by far the best of the week for me, having a great seat just feet from the stage and actually being able to see him properly added to my enjoyment, being on the short side I'm usually stuck behind taller folk and have to watch him with my head cocked in weird and wonderful positions.....lol
I was totally mesmerized by him, and not for the first time found myself all emotional at a few songs, Angel in particular for personal reasons *sighs* on hearing the 'new' songs again I find I love them more each time
All in all a brilliant night that will stay with me for a long time to come.
CARLING ACADEMY 27th OCT:
Trying to read my notes from Thursday night and finding them quite hard to decipher but here goes;
I actually found Evi Vine to be very good, I really liked her style and found some of her songs quite hauntingly beautiful especially with the deep drum beat, I definately could listen to more from her.
What can be said about James that hasn't already, he just seem's to appear and the mood instantly changes. I won't go into what he was wearing as that has already been commented upon, I'm just posting about my personal view of the gig. His voice and playing definately get's better everytime I see him and tonight was no different although I got the impression he seemed a little subdued to begin with, but definately picked up as the gig progressed, as PK has posted the set list I won't go through that either but will say I loved the two new songs and the one he said he wrote when he was 21.......I was just delighted that he included Angel and This Town as they are among my favourites.
I really don't know what else to say to be honest as it is a little difficult to say something totally new about James' performances without sounding trite.
St JAMES' 28th OCTOBER
I enjoyed St James much more this time than in April, thanks to NN I had a far better view and unrestricted this time
I liked 'little' Al Britten and he gave a good performance, but I have to say personally I prefered Evi Vine the evening before no 'boos' please from the Al lovers, but to be honest I can't even remember any of his songs
James was on form and sounded great, his interaction with the audience always makes me smile, and the dive-bombing mouse nearly gave me heart failure.....lol
It is getting really hard to describe how I fell when I watch a James gig, except to say I'm always thrilled by the sound of his voice and the way he portrays his songs
Suffice to say I loved it.
WORDS AND MUSIC 29th OCTOBER;
WOW
That's how I felt after being privileged enough to see this 'reduced' version of Macbeth. James gave a spellbinding performance and definately more than showed his versatility as an actor, and his own word's between scene's made it easy for anyone not knowledgable of this work to be able to follow it with ease. His portrayal of anger, madness, passion and pathos had me riveted. The actress playing Lady M (Cheryl I think, forgot to note her name properly ooops)
was as comanding a performer as James and played the part brilliantly, as someone already mentioned the chance to see Lady M portrayed as a lover, wife and equal only led to a better understanding of this character, and the act when she was 'calming' guests at the banquet while James was seeing and speaking to ghosts, was wonderful.
This was a great performance by both actors and was truly deserving of the ovation they recieved.
I thoroughly enjoyed the small Q&A after the performance, interesting questions and as usual when James get's onto the subject of Macbeth, great replies, I could listen to him talk about and give his opinions on the play all night long.......
The gig was by far the best of the week for me, having a great seat just feet from the stage and actually being able to see him properly added to my enjoyment, being on the short side I'm usually stuck behind taller folk and have to watch him with my head cocked in weird and wonderful positions.....lol
I was totally mesmerized by him, and not for the first time found myself all emotional at a few songs, Angel in particular for personal reasons *sighs* on hearing the 'new' songs again I find I love them more each time
All in all a brilliant night that will stay with me for a long time to come.