Great night of music with Jon Gomm
REVIEW: Jon Gomm, Angelo Palladino, Hannah Short with Alessandro Spadoni VENUE: Promenade Suite, Villa Marina, Douglas, Sunday, February 1 REVIEWER: John Gregory PICTURES: Mike Wade
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THERE are certainly worse ways to spend a cold Sunday evening than in a warm room in the company of a number of talented musicians who make sure the weekend ends in style.
I saw Jon Gomm on his two previous visits to the Island and am very familiar with his work and his songs, but his guitar playing never ceases to amaze me.
I have never seen anyone like him. He uses the instrument to create a lot of percussion sounds and his different tunings mean the songs are always musically and visually interesting.
One of my favourite songs of his is Gloria which is about an ex-girlfriend whom he describes as a 'chav'.
He said in those days he was what is now referred to as 'emo' so their relationship crossed the 'chav/emo divide'.
The song is as funny as its introduction, with warm lyrics describing Gloria and her family.
But each Jon Gomm song is completely different. Describing the track Waterfall, Jon told the audience one of the verses is in Urdu, so 'sing along'.
Jon's cover of Radiohead's High and Dry has his stamp all over it, but retains the passion of the original.
He's great at the banter and his playing is just fantastic. So, I have seen him three times now, but if he came back over next week I would have no hesitation in going to see him again.
This time he brought over his friend Angelo Palladino who performed before him. Angelo, who is featured on the soundtrack of classic film Leaving Las Vegas, is another performer who is instantly likeable.
Armed with just a Fender Telecaster – he usually performs with a band – he played a series of bluesy tunes with great riffs and vocals.
In addition to his own great numbers such as Two Crows and Another Mystery Train he threw in a handful of covers which he made his own.
The Rolling Stones' track Play With Fire became an Angelo Palladino number and Warren Zevon's Carmelita was absolutely stunning and really gripped me.
His set ended with Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. He had been inspired by the Johnny Cash version on The Man Comes Around album and he encouraged the audience, for those who hadn't already, to buy Cash's American Recordings.
He did return to close the night with Jon when they performed two songs together. It was a fitting and fantastic finale.
I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Angelo back in the Island again.
The evening was started wonderfully by Hannah Short, armed with an acoustic guitar and a powerful voice. Accompanying her was her brother-in-law Alessandro Spadoni, known as Sanny, who played some hugely tasteful acoustic and electric guitar.
Her own Love On A Fault Line and Beautiful Distractions were great numbers and their version of Summertime was stunning.
It was yet another memorable gig organised by JonnoPromotions.
Earlier in the day Jon and Angelo held a workshop at Ballakermeen High School which about 20 people attended. They offered insights into the life of a professional musician.
It was aimed at young musicians and the youngest there were eight and nine!
The workshop was supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy showers
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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