JUSTIN SULLIVAN & DEAN WHITE – SEMI ACOUSTIC
UPSTAIRS AT THE GARAGE LONDON 03/09/09
How we moan about our vanishing music venues and with good cause too. Tonight was a different affair though as it was my first trip back to the newly refurbished Garage (I refuse to use full corporate names). Very nice and shiny it was too, all wood effect and free from asbestos and tonight’s show in the smaller upstairs part was sold out but comfortable with plenty of room to move about in.
In case you were wondering, Justin and Dean are in a band from Bradford you certainly should have heard of New Model Army. Tonight on the eve of the release of fantastic new album ‘Today Is A Good Day’ they were playing a selection of songs in acoustic mode and as per usual this had drawn a large crowd from all over the country and possibly even further afield. There was no support and they were not on until 9 so a fair bit of drinking time had passed before they finally took to the stage.
It was a really versatile set with a few famous numbers and lots of more obscure ones such as ‘Changing Of The Light’ which worked perfectly in this format. There is no mistaking that Justin is a fantastic songwriter and you could really dream away to these numbers which all told their own story with poetic clarity. Dean White provided extra guitar textures as well as occasional moments of keyboard, Justin was also on hand with harmonica for the relevant moments. Coming early in the set was the excellent ‘Heroes’ and even without the bombastic assault that this great number from way back in 1986 has on album, it still had the charged cut and thrust about it, reflected in strumming guitars and powerful vocals.
I have to admit I spent most of the night right at the front taking some snaps and getting into the music, pretty much oblivious of the rest of the audience behind me. Having said so it was a respectful and friendly crowd, with no talking in the quiet moments or anything like that, everyone seemed to totally enjoy themselves only making a noise with huge cheers after each song. One new number in fact my favourite new New Model Army number ‘Autumn’ was delicately aired and sounded magnificent. Other favourite moments for me were ‘Ocean Rising’ a couple of tracks from ‘Eight’ an album I am beginning to appreciate more with time and ‘Another Imperial Day.’ It was a surprise encore of ‘The Ballad Of Bodmin Pill’ though which really had everyone hungering for more. I staggered out more than happy clutching the new Joolz album and looking forward to seeing the full band in December.
Find the interview and album review elsewhere on the site.
www.newmodelarmy.org
Pete Woods
Click here for photographs
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