With the threat of a country gig in mind, I approached the Jeff Klein show with a little trepidation. Despite county music's watering down and occasional entry into the pop charts via Shania Twain et al, you can't help thinking back to the country and western classics narrating sad tales of lost dogs, wives and trailers.
The New Roscoe, Leeds, was host to this country gig of JEFF KLEIN supported by fellow Nashville resident Matthew Ryan and the most definitely un-country and Leeds residents Charly 6.
Austin, Texas and Nashville residents, Jeff Klein and Matthew Ryan maybe, Garth Brooks and Billy Ray Cyrus they most certainly aren't. Having spent a wonderful evening being entertained by all three of the acts, the country link became more and more tenuous as the night went on.
Beginning with MATTHEW RYAN, playing music as simple and basic as it possibly could be, with just a second guitarist alongside, playing a mix of the most incredible melodies from his albums, "Concussion" and "East Autumn Grin". Ryan's set was an easy going start to the night, certainly as far as the music went. Lyrically, it's easy to tell Matthew has a lot going on in his mind, and Matthew's roughly 40 minute performance shared a little of his thoughts and feelings.
Moving from Nashville over to Leeds, with CHARLY 6. Normally playing harder material, Charly 6 came over all acoustic and unplugged for this particular gig. While playing a slightly heavier more punk influenced set, Charly 6 upped the tempo from Matthew Ryan's offering, and was in typical Leeds fashion, a little more vocal between each song with a little anecdote or two to amuse the crowd. Finishing up with the almost anthem like, but most definitely rock'n'roll, "Get Drunk,Screw,Get High", Charly 6 led us nicely into the final performance of the night from Klein.
|
By this point, it was quite clear to say this was no country gig, and even if it was, I'd be willing to put up with more of this kind of country music. Jeff approached the stage, looking far more rock'n'roll than Id expected him to, and from the start came out all guns blazing, playing songs for the pissed off.Despite the lyrical content, Klein seemed happy enough on stage and the banter going between those at the front and Jeff seemed of good nature. Again, Jeff's set was more up tempo than the opening act, and on many occasions verged on being described as punk. After the gig, Jeff's album, "Everyone Loves a Winner" was cracked open, as a little reminder of a great evening's entertainment, and a surprising one at that.
|
