Michael Chapman & Thurston Moore // Norwich Arts Centre - 02.02.2013
Guitar Heroes at Norwich Arts Centre
Michael Chapman has released 30 albums of guitar music and is a middle-aged English chap. Thurston Moore is a hugely influencial guitarist from the US of A, member of seminal band Sonic Youth, and more recently, solo work. They both like GUITARS and NOISE and are very very talented. To have them play together is quite a treat, but to see these heroes in Norwich is some kinda miracle. The place is sold out, and seated with many familiar faces from Norwich's musical past and present in attendance. Chapman plays first, with his trademark finger picking style and drawling vocals, songs about lakes and waitresses and night times. He sounds sometimes like E from Eels which is great.
He's magnificently in tune with his instrument as only the most virtuoso musicians are, like it's coming straight from his heart and brain to my ears. It's a pleasure to listen and watch him play for half an hour. Following the interval Thurston appears on stage to tune his guitars whilst the audience awkwardly talks amongst itself; despite being 54, he's still the lanky indie boy that I adored in my youth (he must be dyeing his hair, right? Right.).
Thurston treats us to a couple of Jim Morrison-esque poems, talks to us about the good record shops on St Benedict's and how he has been writing songs on Stoke Newington High Street whilst playing us a few of his solo pieces, some where he just plays his acoustic guitar (with an enormous amount of sound coming out), some where he sings thereby creating the Real Sonic Youth Sound, something incredibly special for me in a tiny church in Norfolk.
Finally, the two guitarists appear on stage together for a 20 minute GUITAR FREAKOUT, avant garde, improvised, tuneful and brave, it was brilliant to see two people have a musical conversation on stage using their instruments, their faces still with concentration, their passion and energy obvious to all. The crowd were left stunned and happy, as it should be. I had a wonderful night. Thanks guys! (But not thanks to the DICKS who talked continuously behind me all night. Why do people come to gigs to do this? Answers on a postcard! :) )
Lizz
