SBT (SARABETH TUCEK) & MONICA GUARNIERI
A brilliant set from an amazing band.
Talk about from the ridiculous to the sublime. On Saturday, it was an evening of thrashing deathgrindcore at the Waterfront. Tonight it is down to NAC for something entirely different.
London-born but Norwich-based singer-songwriter MONICA GUARNIERI kicks things off with an acoustic set. Accompanied by Helena Lewis – Monica’s bandmate in the rather good Santa Rita - on harmonies and backing vox, Monica delivers a set of acoustic folk that has hints of delta blues and alt-country. There’s something about it that reminds me of … Charlie Darwin-era Low Anthem but I can’t work out why. Whatever, this is a thoroughly enjoyable set and I recommend checking out Monica, either solo or with Santa Rita.
It has been a good few years since Sarabeth Tucek has played the Arts Centre but then there was twelve years between second album Get Well Soon and last year’s Joan of All. Tonight, SBT is here to play Joan… in its entirety and that is probably the best way to hear that enthrallingly immersive work.
Other than the occasional jump or lead break from guitarist (and SBK’s coproducer) Luther Russell, there is little in the way of flashiness or showmanship here. The band are all clearly immensely talented but use that talent in the service of the songs. And with songs this excellent, that is all for the good. Luther Russell plays some gorgeous twelve string and tasty lead breaks. A seated Ryan Rogers brings classy guitar riffs, keys and mellotron, along with some distinctly eerie slide on Sheep. Rhii’s drumming takes in both driving motorik beats and more 70s classic rock style, whilst her backing vocals and harmonies are quite superb. Bassist Charlie Fitzgerald was rock solid throughout, throwing some Muscle Showls vibes into the mix and producing a gloriously filthy sound on The Tunnel. As for SBT herself, there’s no wild moves or hyped-up exhortations to the crowd, just a great voice and, like Dry Cleaning’s Florence Shaw, a magnetic stage presence.
Over a 16 song set, the quality never dropped and my interest never waned. I didn’t check the time once, which is a very rare thing for me at a gig. Music as good as this should have been performed to a sell-out crowd and the only disappointment was the sparse crowd (albeit that the enthusiasm of those who in attendance can’t be faulted). As SBT says, this is the only venue she has played for all three of her albums, here’s hoping she comes back when touring album number 4.
