Mary was getting back on Saturday after having been gone all week, and I didn’t want to drag her to Barbés so other people could invade our personal space in that bullshit back room. I spent the days prior doing bachelor things, like drinking at noon, watching basketball and leaving clothes on chairs, so come Friday I was desperate to keep the dream alive. I decided to take my chances on the Living Room.
The Living Room is a valuable resource for live music in general, and for this here blog in particular. Every night they have five or so bands in the main Living Room space, and a few upstairs in the lounge. The drinks are on the pricey side, but there’s no cover and drinks in Manhattan are generally on the pricey side anyway. And every band I’ve seen there has been decent, even if I wasn’t necessarily into the music. Case in point: Chris Velan.
He’s a singer-songwriter, with an acoustic guitar and a Musical Director credit on the film “Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars.” He used a looping machine to provide some texture and wore a tie & vest to furnish a bit of fashion. He appears enthusiastic about achieving popular success, and I hope he makes it. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see Chris Velan again, but for a Friday evening at 8pm it was delightful. Video of him doing what I gather to be his thing below.
Next up: This Saturday, at Radio City, David Byrne attempts to wrest “Show of the Year” laurels from Beirut. Stay tuned.
2 responses so far ↓
Tristan // February 24, 2009 at 8:06 pm |
For the most part I am a relatively passive reader but upon finding your “review” of Chris Velan’s show at The Living Room I am spurred on to play a more active roll…and comment on your misleading blog…if for no other reason than to stop the mistruths and to not allow you to rob any other readers of attending one of the best live shows!
By chance I too happened to be at The Living Room….it was recommended to me by a number of people and while my expectations were high from all of the rave reviews I had heard…I walked out of that show completely blown away and wanting more!
Putting aside personal taste for just a moment….one cannot deny Chris Velan’s talent on the guitar and his mastery of the looping pedals. Your stale description of a “Looping Machine” makes it sound like he was plugged into some wizard of Oz type contraption rather than him having to be constantly involved….an almost instrument in itself! As to it providing “some texture”…..for a solo show it had more body, sound, and addictive rhythms than a majority of the full bands I have seen.
In regards to taste…you are right, this show wasn’t spectacular if you enjoy an over produced Jonas Brothers trying to mask their lack of instrumental skills with tragic vocals. On the other hand if you can appreciate an acoustic surf blend of sound with a bit of a reggae vibe that is composed and performed in front of a live audience…Chris Velan should be crowned as one of the best!
The beauty of what we experienced on Friday night at the Chris Velan show was that he is still relatively unknown yet so much more talented than a majority of the “Big Names” that the major record labels are still trying to stuff down our throats….a last feeble effort as new comers like Velan steal the spotlight!!
I would say that all of the fans were completely awestruck by Chris Velan and charmed by his original music….however clearly having now read your blog-entry, there was one and I am willing to bet only one spectator who walked away unimpressed by this truly incredible musician.
I can guarantee you that I will look back in a few years bragging that I saw Chris Velan in such an intimate venue. Step aside Jason Mraz and make some room Jon Mayer…as much as I want Chris Velan stay my new hidden musical secret, he is bound for greatness.
All in all incredible show, incredible musician, and judging by the crowd’s reaction….you must have felt very very alone writing this blog entry!!
I have to say that while I bought his CD……I am frantically searching out more of his music!
hadleycc // February 26, 2009 at 1:27 pm |
Thanks for such an extensive and thoughtful comment. I do want to say though that I certainly don’t deny the guy is talented. In fact, I describe the experience as “delightful” and declare that “I hope he makes it.” I admit, I could have expounded upon the looping machine (or pedal or phrase sampler or what have you) a little more, because I was indeed quite impressed at his masterful handling of the tool.
Music is subjective (FACT!) and your comment is exuberant proof.