Star rating 7/10
Matthew E White
is a singer with a silky smooth voice, long hair and a long beard, and has created
quite a stir since he released his debut album Big Inner last year. Whilst his first live appearance in Manchester
this week didn't quite match the slick production qualities of the album, it
was impressive all the same.
He and his
band hail from Richmond, Virginia, which he claims has a vibe similar to
Manchester in terms of its community of musicians. He is rightly proud of the creation
of the Spacebomb collective record
label, with its aim to promote the rich diversity of music within that
community. His own style is hard to define, with his soulful gentle voice producing
a fusion of sounds encompassing country, rock, and gospel. His soothing music brings
to mind comparisons with artists as wide ranging as Barry White (whom he
resembles in name and crooning ability); Neil Young (whose Are You Ready For the Country he covered); and ZZ Top (whom he and
his fellow guitarist did an amusing on stage impersonation of during Steady Pace) - so make of him what you
will.
My favourite
songs, both on the album and live, are One
of these days and Big Love, both beautiful,
soulful love songs; the latter sounding a touch more psychedelic when performed
by the band. Gone Away is a hauntingly sad song about love, loss, and death, and
Brazos is a gorgeous touching number
about slavery, even though it may be a
touch too evangelical for some British ears.
The four piece
backing band were missing a member, Scott, who had been taken ill on tour, but
whose treatment on our wonderful NHS was gratefully received and commented on by
White. He is appreciative of his
audience, polite and very talented. And if you were wondering, the E stands for
Edgar, if he is telling the truth that is. But he seems like a pretty wholesome
good guy, so I am inclined to believe him.
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