Dr Robert, The Borderline, London
Gig played on: Fri 22 Jun 2001
DR ROBERT - THE BORDERLINE, LONDON
Ex Blow Monkeys frontman Dr Robert tonight chooses to open his set with his former band's rousing tune 'Digging Your Scene'. It's a stronger version than the original and the change in tone is a clear indication of the direction Robert's music has taken since then.
Generally pigeonholed as an indie type, tonight the good Dr proves that he isn't afraid to swap genres. Like with the wonderfully spiralling and folksome 'Circular Key', which introduces the huge talent of violinist Nell Catchpole, borrowed for the evening from support band, The Bark.
As entertaining when speaking as he is when singing, Dr Robert introduces each of his songs with witty tales of their inception. He plays current single, 'A Single Summer', after explaining that it is one of many tunes he has written about cricket.
It is the first of many tracks from current album, 'Birds Gotta Fly'. 'Blue Skies' is a wonderful singalong affair, and 'Still Got A Lot To Learn' proves even more powerful in the flesh than on record. With his distinctive voice and considered and clear delivery, it doesn't matter that the album hasn't been out long. The crowd instinctively seems to know each word.
As he does on the album, Robert explores many genres live, enjoying all kinds of musical styles and expressions. The tunes frequently become raucous and fun jam sessions, each musician unable to disguise their enjoyment. They grin their way through the wonderfully spiteful, cornet-tinged 'A Little Song', the firm favourite 'The Nearly Room' and the strange but satisfying 'Phantom World'.
A stripped bare version of The Blow Monkey's classic 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way' opens a singalong encore, in a set that ends with the massive, all aboard, bluesy jam of the staggering 'Sycamore Tree'. Cramming almost a dozen people onto the tiny stage is impressive enough but to have the assembled players crank out such an awe-inspiringly energetic closing number makes the evening.
Luci Jameson
DR ROBERT - THE BORDERLINE, LONDON
Ex Blow Monkeys frontman Dr Robert tonight chooses to open his set with his former band's rousing tune 'Digging Your Scene'. It's a stronger version than the original and the change in tone is a clear indication of the direction Robert's music has taken since then.
Generally pigeonholed as an indie type, tonight the good Dr proves that he isn't afraid to swap genres. Like with the wonderfully spiralling and folksome 'Circular Key', which introduces the huge talent of violinist Nell Catchpole, borrowed for the evening from support band, The Bark.
As entertaining when speaking as he is when singing, Dr Robert introduces each of his songs with witty tales of their inception. He plays current single, 'A Single Summer', after explaining that it is one of many tunes he has written about cricket.
It is the first of many tracks from current album, 'Birds Gotta Fly'. 'Blue Skies' is a wonderful singalong affair, and 'Still Got A Lot To Learn' proves even more powerful in the flesh than on record. With his distinctive voice and considered and clear delivery, it doesn't matter that the album hasn't been out long. The crowd instinctively seems to know each word.
As he does on the album, Robert explores many genres live, enjoying all kinds of musical styles and expressions. The tunes frequently become raucous and fun jam sessions, each musician unable to disguise their enjoyment. They grin their way through the wonderfully spiteful, cornet-tinged 'A Little Song', the firm favourite 'The Nearly Room' and the strange but satisfying 'Phantom World'.
A stripped bare version of The Blow Monkey's classic 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way' opens a singalong encore, in a set that ends with the massive, all aboard, bluesy jam of the staggering 'Sycamore Tree'. Cramming almost a dozen people onto the tiny stage is impressive enough but to have the assembled players crank out such an awe-inspiringly energetic closing number makes the evening.
Luci Jameson
posted by Luci @ 5:59 AM
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