Gary Stewart Band
Stewart is a massive Paul Simon fan and formed this band in celebration of the singers works, but a tribute band as such, they most certainly are not
Its two gigs for the price of one for me tonight down here in St Benedicts Street, (both of which I am really looking forward too) on a very Autumnal evening with Yorkshire based multi-instrumentalist, folk singer Gary Stewart in the support slot to help promote his new solo album, Use It Or Lose It. His set is swiftly followed by a full Gary Stewart Band show for the main slot where they will cover the iconic Paul Simon album Graceland in full.
Its early doors still but there is already a very healthy-looking crowd in the NAC for the opening act, where Stewart demonstrates some intricate guitar work to accompany his delicate vocals, it’s a good thirty-minute set, with the new material ranking as high as any of his previous works, he even treats us to an as yet unnamed track, which was written just before bedtime one night during this very week. So, it’s a hot off the press road-test, a debut airing of a song about losing someone close and it’s well received as; indeed, is the complete set.
It’s time to top up the beer and get in pole position for the show. It’s been forty years now since Simon released this classic and judging by the number of instruments on the stage that are required to help the band replicate the unique sound, we are in for a real treat.
So, cast your mind back if you will to 1986, when Graceland was first released, why, well because at the time it was a truly groundbreaking album, a very famous white musician making a record and touring with black South Africans musicians in amidst a backdrop to some very serious political tensions and issues in a country that was very unstable. At the time, it was unheard of, It was a very dark and different time.
Apartheid was still in place and wouldn’t fully end for another eight years yet, eventually resulting in the end to the segregation laws in the Country. In addition, Nelson Mandela was still in prison and wouldn’t be released for another four years!
This influential album along with the Special AKA’s Free Nelson Mandela, firmly helped to put South Africa’s trouble’s well and truly back in the spotlight both musically and politically. Music as we know is a powerful force and it most certainly helped to break down some age-old barriers in the eighties and judging by the dancing and happy smiling faces in the room right now, many people from all walks of life fully embraced this album, taking it into their hearts and minds forever.
The amazing Gary Stewart band was first assembled back in 2003 and have undertaken some various line-up changes in that time; they have been performing said album on the live circuit since 2016.
Stewart is a massive Paul Simon fan and formed this band in celebration of the singers works, but a tribute band as such, they most certainly are not. This show is much classier than that and I think that everyone one in here would agree.
The seven piece look, before the show even begins look to have everything covered, with that array of instruments on display.
The album is played in the main in sequential order, kicking off with the Boy In The Bubble, with accordion and bass drum at the ready. The room is instantly alive, as the song takes you back to an incredibly special time, swiftly followed by the title track.
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, including the beautiful intro is pure joy.
They close the show with a version of The Boxer, and the venue is in full voice.
It’s been a quite beautiful evening, with everyone very clearly enjoying themselves. The band have more than done the album and the career of Paul Simon justice, such is the attention to detail from them, it really has been a site to behold as every element of the album is recreated and brought back to life just as it should be, note perfect with no stones left unturned, no level of detail has been neglected with all of the rhythms and harmonies perfectly captured.
This has been a joyous and uplifting gig and to think dear reader, that it’s the first time that I have ever listened to this album in its entirety. However, I am sure that it will now be on heavy rotation over the coming days and weeks. It’s most certainly an unmistakable timeless piece of work.
The show has been very slick, an authentic performance and I am sure that Mr Paul Simon would fully approve of this take on his masterpiece.
