REVIEW: Jeff Lang
- Posted on June 21, 2007 10:30 AM
- 1 comment
GIG PF THE WEEK
Jeff Lang at The Half Moon, Putney
Review by Peter Coulston
I consider myself very lucky to have been at the Half Moon in Putney last night to witness an incredible set by Australian, Jeff Lang. He is billed as a songwriter/guitarist, which he most certainly is. However, while he is a very good singer/songwriter, he is an unbelievably accomplished guitarist. I do not recall ever hearing a guitarist who combines so many styles into one performance, often several styles at once, which only other guitarists would understand.
He has with him three guitars which each have a purpose. He opened with a guitar tuned partially to slide and played the title track of one of his early albums “Ravenswood”. He continued with more dark blues influenced numbers and featured “Road Is Not Your Only Friend”, playing the guitar in a banjo style that included frailling and Scruggs picking. For those not familiar with the finer points of bluegrass banjo, take my word for it, it was awesome. Moving onto a lap slide guitar we enjoyed “Til They Cut Me Down” and “12,000 Miles” from Dislocation Blues among others.
He then moved more towards country with his third guitar which also had some odd tunings and picking styles. “By Face Not Name” and “Rejected Novelist Fails Again” came from “Whatever Makes You Happy” as did a song about trains which was very catchy. “Here She Comes Again” was great country rock and he flatpicked with the best of them on the old folksong “The Housecarpenter”. This guy’s versatility defies description as he crosses so many styles, sometimes sounding medieval, sometimes like a sitar. He was accompanied by Graham Commerford on bass, who showed us that he was no slouch either. Jeff is in the UK to do Glastonbury and has a few other gigs while he is here. Check him out on jefflang.com.au and on myspace.
For upcoming gigs at The Half Moon Putney, check out their official website.
Comments (1)
Ron
Wow! Katie. You are getting into jazz and Blues to my undying pleasure. Must be something to do with an influence you came under at a certain time in your life from a certain aged relative!
Posted on June 24, 2007 11:35 PM
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