NORWICH SOUNDSCAPES
Posted by Sid Smith on Jun 27, 2006 - This post is archived and may no longer be relevant

Thanks to CD Coates for sending me this review of the Fripp Churchscape at Norwich.  You get two for the price of one as he also attended the Burning Shed event that evening which included solo sets from Tim Bowness and Steve Wilson as well as a rare appearance as No-Man. 

As a local, and Norwich being my local cathedral, I'd booked annual leave to attend, so arrived early to observe and get a good seat. The age range was a, (quiet), baby in arms to an older couple, and I would guess about 80 of us in all.  A sunny day, and this lightness showed thru' the stained glass windows, and lit the cathedral nicely, showing the knocks and crannies of the stone work in the presbytery.

Robert was dressed sombrely in black, "meditating" to the left of the performance area, looked at his watch, sat down on his stool, back to us, carefully placed his guitar around his neck, attached the strap, placed his watch on the rack, and played.

The first half/20 mins had three pieces I think, piano effects, build up of loops, and soloing over it, dense, yet open, matching the acoustics of the venue, four speakers in all, so "surround sound", the music folding in to itself above our heads, and the clarity of the sound was amazing.

I enjoyed closing my eyes, getting "lost" in the music, at other times watching Robert, with his eyes just on the foot pedals and adjusting the controls on his rack. All to soon half way, the last piece coming to an abrupt ending.

Then Robert thanked us for coming, spoke directly to the older couple, wondering aloud what they thought off the performance.

I would add that we were an attentive audience, no photos taken, no chatting, and think the setting helped the appreciation of this performance.

At the end off the second set, thanks again, especially to the engineers, (and my thanks for such quality of sound, and colour within it), and once carefully removing his guitar, he left towards the cloisters to the left of the performance area, a "neat" exit.

The audience slowly left, chatting quietly, and several off us just sat to reflect, then I stayed in the quietness off the cathedral, looking at an Art expo elsewhere in the cathedral, which enhanced the setting, and the performance, before going out into the city. I look forward to reading Robert's diary about the performance, and downloading the Mp3 recording.

Later I went to the Burning Shed evening, and outside the cathedral I saw Tim Bowness, Peter Chilvers, and members off No sound, with there friends/fans....more below.

Burning Shed concert, The Garage-Norwich. 16/6/06:-

This venue I would say is a studio theatre, very modern, and all seating has a good view of the stage area, again excellent sound mix, it was packed, with a lot of late comers to distract from the performances sadly. That saying, it actually started at 8p.m. the first performer being Andy Butler, treated solo guitar, loops, e-bowing, and delays, fun and a week later his performance still sticks in my mind, as clever, fun, and I shall look out for him in the future.

Then the main act, Tim Bowness, an excellent set, with Peter Chilvers at first, two numbers from "california, norfolk"  album,(highly recommended).  As ever Tim's performance was edgy, yet intimate.  Moving onto the full band there were numbers from My Hotel Year, as well as one number from the up and coming album with No sound. The backing band was tight with wonderful instrumental passages. When not playing, all the band looked relaxed, enjoying themselves.

Like Fripp's performance it was finished all too soon.  Lots of photos being taken, flashing, and general chat in the quiet passages, yet many of the audience I recognized from Robert's performance - a shame.

Steven Wilson was next on after an interval, started off wonderfully, distorted guitar, playing with another guitarist, feedback, effect pedals, the works.  Then solo, electric and acoustic numbers, worked best, I thought on a couple of Blackfield numbers, with Peter Chilvers. The audience loved it, but I was on the whole disappointed.  But then finally what a lot off us had been waiting for, No-Man, Tim and Steven together, with Tim's band, two numbers, "together we're strangers" and "back when you were beautiful", with the encore of "watching over me."  An excellent finish to a great day of music in Norwich. I wish Burning Shed would do concert downloads as well, as I would purchase all the sets!!


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