KENTON HALL/CHRIS ILETT/WALLY WALTON/SHADOW THAT MELTS THE FLESH
Musician Pub 17th October 2024
a fascinating and hugely enjoyable evening at The Musician Pub pub last night... almost a SoundHive Social transferred to the Musician!
A fascinatiing and very different opener as Brett delivered "The Shadow That Melts the Flesh"... an improvised dark ambient soundscape using a guitar, lap steel (i think) and a range of effects pedals... Not the sort of thing I would normally listen to or watch but i found this mostly very good... at times the sounds were eerily darkly lovely, though other moments were, to my ears, more like tinitus... but overall I found this a worthwhile, enjoyable and engaging performance.
Next came Wally Walton... a name I have seen countless times recently, but had never actually seen him play... and excellent he was!!... He sings well in a really nice warm voice accompanying himself perfectly on guitar... I don't know what i was expecting materialwise, but found the song choice interesting and very good... i didnt recognise the opener, but we got "It's too late" (Carole King) and "Dont let the Sun Catch you Crying" (Gerry & the Pacemakers?) followed by a blues piece, a bit of Ray Charles and a couple of songs from a band he was part of, Yellowbelly... i think I was the only one there who didn't know that band!.. but a very enjoyable set delivered in a fine warm voice...
Next up was Chris Ilett... i know Chris from his work organising the excellent Soundhive gigs at Duffy's, but again hadn't heard him perform... glad I now have!!!
He was a contrast to Wally, being a more intense performer showing a fine sense of drama in his performance... playing his acoustic songs with electric guitar and in a different key to usual, but seemed well at ease anyway. He writes excellent and often dramatic songs which he delivers with style and assurance... singing strongly, and with an occasional rasp emphasising a point. A hugely engaging and quality performance, thoroughly enjoyed.
After the break, the main event, Kenton Hall with the Necessary Measure... i had seen Kenton a couple of times at Duffys and liked what I heard... but this set was a real revelation...
Initially the Necessary Measure were Brett (Bass) Flash (Drums) & Chris Ilett (lead electric guitar)
Kenton is such a powerhouse of a performer, huge personality and huge voice and plays and sings on full power. This first section of the set was superb.. .jangling guitars, superb 80's style power pop delivered with style, aplomb and terrific energy.
Kenton then switched to acoustic and played several solo/acoustic pieces... playing with the same style and quality but more Dylanesque... after this the Necessary Measures returned for the final section (with Wally replacing Chris on Lead Guitar) for some more high powered music, ending with an upbeat positive sing-a-long which had the audience joining in for a very upbeat conclusion.
I think the songs touched much of Kentons career, and were familiar to most of the audience.. .if not to me!
His songs are generally angsty and powerful, and can be very wordy... but are very good, well constructed and frequently thought provoking... the lighter closing piece was something of a surprise and cracking way to end a really superb set...
Hugely enjoyed the evening and especially Kenton's terrific set.
Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues
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