Martin Stephenson live last night

Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 28 February 2002

Was taken out as a surprise by my wife to see Martin Stephenson minus the Daintees live last night and really enjoyed it at Blackheath Halls in London. Cabaret style tables, bar, candles, great acoustic guitar playing, fantastic voice, great songs!

What a great guy too - he was extremely funny and genuinely down to earth - I'd love to hear Naim doing a recording of him. I bought a couple of his CD's one 'The incredible shrinking band' was recorded in his lounge using a Stefan Sobel handmade guitar straight into a minidisc player. Amusingly he's interrupted by a phone call in the middle of it! There's a quote on the cover which made me smile 'everytime I release the pause on my minidisk I say fuck Abbey Road'

The other album 'Yogi in my house' seems good (and sounds better!) but I need more time to explore it.

I was impressed how close to my naim system the gig last night was though!

Jonathan

Posted on: 01 March 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Ho hum. Glad you enjoyed the gig. I saw him in Leeds a few years ago. He was pissed, pissed off, arrogant and useless. I felt totally ripped off and it was a while before I could even listen to the albums again-a shame since I have almost all of them!

Especially recommend "Gladsome Humour and Blue" and "Boat to Bolivia" if still available.


Bruce

Posted on: 01 March 2002 by Jonathan Gorse
Bruce,

Shocked to hear what you experienced. I have Gladsome and love it plus the recently released live album with the Daintees.

I gather he got completely fed up with the music business and its 'suits' a few years ago and decided to go back to small time music making and give up on the commercial side. I gather he now lives in the highlands and just takes off to see whoever he wants to play with.

He seemed very relaxed, polite and drank two small bottles of Becks all last night

Must track down Boat to Bolivia

Jonathan

Posted on: 01 March 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
I do have a CD writer...

How could I suggest such a thing!

Bruce