Leeds gig review @ Sandman Magazine.

[Uriel]

Unfortunately they didn't use anything I sent them but Sophie Kemp's given the Leeds gig a rather favourable write up.

http://www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/141/06.pdf (hidden in there somewhere)

[scotpaulabear]

Oh bloody heck I know her! :biggrin:
Her bruv is the best soundman in Edinburgh (YMMV) and a total Harperspace-cadet... looks like it's a family trait ;)

Great review regardless!

[HarperPR]

Nick Harper / John Gomm

@ Leeds City Varieties


Apologies to John Gomm for turning up late - I've
read reams about Leeds' (reputedly) most technically
proficient guitarist but it's the first time I've seen
him live and I, er, missed a bit of his set. It turns out
that everything I've read is true, although I've noticed
how few people mention his soft, breathless voice
that wraps around charismatic banter and intense
lyrics, floating over and weaving into his maverick
picking, strumming and tapping. The layers of percussive
sound make his songs unusually articulate
and deep, and I spent most of the set with my eyes
closed - there's so much to watch I kept forgetting to
listen. Aside from being in awe of Nick Harper's
technical virtuosity and songwriting talent, I'm fond
of him because he's from the West Country, where
people conduct themselves with an eccentric
demeanour you don't find anywhere else. With a set
filled with thunderous guitar playing, yet devastatingly
lyrical and heartfelt, his songs are delivered
with honesty and passion. I've noticed a change in
his output in recent years to more chord and
rhythm-based songs as opposed to the fretboard
antics of previous offerings. He's also a great raconteur
with articulate and interesting things to say
about politics, humanity and history - you end up
feeling physically and emotionally beaten up by his
music, so much so that whilst I'm sitting in the audience
wrestling with my soul he's up on stage drinking
beer and having a good time. What a clever
bastard. Ending with Gomm collaborating on old
number 'Radio Silence', tonight Harper makes devastating
delicacy and sensitivity his own.

Sophie Kemp