Anthony and the Johnsons live

Posted by: Simon Matthews on 07 December 2005

I bought the album during the summer and liked it although never really gave it the attention it deserved.

Anyhow, after seeing him live last night at the Empire I am of a much higher opinion of his work. He has tremendous warmth and audience interaction skills. The singing is sublime as is his piano playing abilities. The band are very special indeed:: bass, strings, spartan percussion and acoustic guitars all meld into a delicate, understated but highly musical underpinning of the songs.

It takes a brave and talanted individual to hold a couple of thousand Londoners in silence throughout an entire set. His call and response moment with the audience was the most musically worthwhile one I have ever been a party to, bordering on spiritual.

On the evidence of last night I think this guy is going to be around for a long time to come. Well worth catching if you can get tickets.

Posted on: 07 December 2005 by graham55

Simon

I've put many postings here about Antony, to receive a few warm responses, general indifference and at least one worried about Antony's overt homosexuality. I tipped I Am A Bird Now for the Mercury Prize here a couple of months before it duly won.

Anyway, I think that he's a major artist, and I see that Mojo have just chosen it as their Record of the Year for 2005.

He deserves much success.

Graham

Posted on: 07 December 2005 by Simon Matthews

Graham

Last night just seemed to re-allign my attitude to the album and to him as an artist, I love it when a great concert does that. Sometimes when an artist has a very distinctive vocal presentation it becomes like marmite - you either love it or hate it - for a little while I didn't know where I stood. I have friends who don't 'get' rickie lee jones because of her voice which I think is a tragic mistake.

Anyhow, suffice to say I have now passed over into the 'christ he sounds amazing' camp. Live he commands a reverance and authority which is rare.

Anyhow, regarding sexuality, are people absolutely certain that he isn't straight?

Posted on: 07 December 2005 by graham55

Simon

You're ahead of me, in terms of seeing him perform. That experience awaits me.

He's interviewed by Paul Gambaccini at 10pm on Radio 2 tonight.

One thing Antony is not, though, is straight. (Not that I'm volunteering to test this out myself!)

Graham

Posted on: 07 December 2005 by Rasher

I bought the I Am A Bird Now CD a few weeks ago, and I find it certainly unlike anything I've heard before and needing a different approach.
I find his approach to his sexuality, as a subject matter for most/all of the album very brave and endearing, although I am worried that he is presenting himself as a tragic figure who will ever only find sadness. It worried me greatly that he chose to have Candy Darling on her deathbed for the cover, and I hope that he doesn't see himself in a similar role. He does seem to have a fixation with her.
A brilliant album and a brilliant artist, but a fragile and modest person who seems too vulnerable to survive in this world, and is already hinting the same in his songs.
I seriously hope he is around for a long time. Very moving. I must catch him live.

Posted on: 07 December 2005 by J.N.

Antony Hegarty (for 'tis his name) may be seen on BBC4 TV at 9pm on Friday 16th December.

It's a recording of a live performance at St Luke's - a converted 18th century church in east London.

The Radio Times (in Pick of The Day) describes his soul piercing voice as equal parts Nina Simone, Scott Walker, Marlene Dietrich and Jeff Buckley.

I haven't made up my mind yet, but he's a tortured soul, singing from the heart for sure.

John.

Posted on: 08 December 2005 by Simon Matthews

What the album doesn't provide is the sharp wit that the man has in spades. He delivered a few short monologues inbetween numbers which had the adience in stitches, non of it sounding remotely rehearsed or re-hashed.

Delicate he is for sure but maybe not quite the tortured soul that he comes across in recordings. He seems very comfortable in himself.