Issue-47-May-2015

Chris Stringer and Anthony James
Richard Clarke and The Rafters
The Marrs Bar, Worcester|29th March
Chris Stringer and Anthony James were taking their
“Radio Silence” tour across the British Isles: Two nights in
London, and one apiece in Manchester, Dublin and Worcester.
Worcester support was from familiar locals Richard Clarke
and The Rafters, who
were a last minute
change to the bill after
the scheduled Alex
Rainsford had to pull
out. The Rafters ably
stepped up and did
their best to warm up
the Marrs, with their
trademark glitchy-folky
melodies. There’s a
growing element of
new songs in their sets
now, which all contain
subtle complimentary electronic blips and loops.
So who were these travelling troubadours Chris and
Anthony, and what did they bring into town? Well, it would
appear that something of a transatlantic musical love affair
was being played out at the gig. Chris is from Swansea, and
Anthony from Washington Village in Central Baltimore. They
met some while ago on “The Unified Scene”, a messageboard
for The Hold Steady, and through their postings they realised
that each was a fully-fledged singer-songwriter. As they
communicated more frequently, the idea of a shared e.p. and
joint tour began to crystallise in their minds. After
transatlantically pulling together a six track e.p. they were
taking their songs as far around Britain as their finances
allowed. Hey! There was no point in Anthony flying all this way
over here from the USA to just play in some London bar
before getting the next plane home, right? Might as well try
and make the most of the situation, get out and about and
see something of the British Isles, right? So a tour taking in
the traditional stops of the varied cultures of London – The
Midlands - The North - Ireland was booked, and they were
courageously relying on the public transport system to get
them around for this five date tour. This all seemed part of the
adventure for them, and a good job too as they nearly arrived
late for The Marrs Bar show: cancelled trains due to Sunday
afternoon track maintenance, misunderstandings and
miscommunication with railway employees, interminable “Rail
Replacement Bus Services” – we all know that story. And
“story” is appropriate, as Chris and Anthony showed
themselves to be accomplished weavers of a tale worth
telling, and worth hearing.
Chris went first; his songs were in a modern finger picking
style that left space for you to chew over the impressionistic
emotional lyrics. The instrumental sections resonating with
each song’s feelings as much as the melodies and words.
Mostly Chris’s songs were of the personal open heart as he
sang of relationships and events, and their impact on him.
Lovers? Others? Both? His impressionistic lyrics kept you
wondering. Like the washes of colour on a Monet water lily
painting, whether you saw what you thought you saw and
what you made of it all, was up to your interpretation. He sang
with a rich, measured voice that he used with the skill of a
singer who knew exactly how to get the best from it –
sustaining notes with a sweet tone.
Now here’s a funny thing – as Chris’s set drew to a close a
new crowd began to trickle into the Marrs. Suited, tipsy and
talkative, the trickle became a stream until the bar area was
full and noisily buzzing with dozens of people who all seemed
to know each other. Sensibly, Chris closed with a driving
version of Duran Duran’s “Rio” that picked the song up by the
scruff of its neck, shook it down, and gave it a spine that it
never knew it had. Exit to cheers. By now the sound of talking
filled-up the air and the PA struggled to push the acoustic
music to a clearly audible level. I began to wonder if Anthony
was going to be able to project his songs enough to be able
to get them across to the noisy room.
However, I needed have worried. I don’t know what the kind
of environments the coffee houses / bars / music venues of
the North Eastern US are like, but Anthony stepped up to the
mike, adjusted his guitar strap, and began to belt out his songs
with the confidence of a man who’s stared down and won
over drunker, rowdier crowds than THIS, thank you very much!
If Chris’s songs embodied
the personal, Anthony
was the other side of the
singer-songwriter coin.
He occupied the role of
the passionate observer;
sitting at the back of the
diner and noting down
the lives of the everyday,
desperate characters
around him. His songs
were strident, fervent,
and emotionally invested
in those lives. I won’t kid
you, all the meaningful
comparisons are the ones
you’re already expecting:
Springsteen, Johnny Cash,
early Tom Waits – blah
blah. But the simple fact
is, this is a part of popular song that’s as American as a
pastrami on rye with extra pickles, and just as satisfying to
enjoy when the singer is clearly relishing singing them with
maximum conviction.
Now here’s another funny thing – Anthony had the punch
to actually start to connect with the tipsy, talkative suits. By
the end of his set everyone was aware that a talented singer
was giving his all on stage, and a large minority were finding
him more entertaining and enjoyable than nattering with their
mates. Exit to shouts for more.
You can catch more of Chris and his music at
chrisstringermusic.co.nr, and you can catch Anthony at
charmcitytroubadour.com, including footage of his excellent
song “Leaving On The Train” from this very gig – complete with
tipsy fan stage invasion! Well, thanks for coming over chaps.
You’re always welcome in Worcester. Perhaps it would’ve
nicely rounded out the night to see you duet together, but
maybe you can do that next time?
Dan Bramhall
SLAP MAY 47