‘Tom, can you take a bit of 650 out of the guitar?’ was Chris’s great request to the soundman. With one quick question he revealed an attention to detail and knowledge of his craft you rarely have a chance to experience. And that knowledge and care shone through in the performance.
He played country-blues style rhythmical finger-picking guitar with odd bits of slide guitar. If it wasn’t a reversal of chronology, I’d say quite a bit like Kelly-Joe Phelps. With just him and his guitar, he made enough sound for a whole band with a great driving rhythm throughout.
He told great long stories and had the crowd chuckling, giggling and then returning to hushed reverence. Having sat for the first set, we stood for the second set, which was mesmerising. He really drew us in and a cover of Visions of Johanna was majestic. A really great gig.
This was a last minute gig choice to fill the void left by Manic Street Preachers’ cancelling their Brixton show. We opted for it on the basis of the website describing Chris’s performance technique as ‘riveting’ and I wouldn’t quibble with that choice of words.
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