Monday 5 November 2012

The oldest groupy in town

Jack Savoretti
 So last week my friend Clare and I had booked to go to Portsmouth and see this amazing young singer Jack Savoretti ( and actually an equally amazing support artist called Karima Francis!).
 
I have been listening to this young mans voice for some while now and I find his voice really hypnotic, and
quite powerful actually, so when I saw he was going to be in Portsmouth I decided to combine a quick visit to No1 grandchild AND a concert. Now of course my idea of concerts (at this grand advanced age I seem to have reached !) is a reasonaby comfortable chair in a concert hall! Something in my head should have reasoned that as the concert was being held in a place I remembered to be famous for student type gigs, then this probably wasn't going to happen............
Karima Francis

My worst fears for the evening were realised upon queueing outside the building and realising that I was almost probably the oldest person there............ as I face yet another Birthday tomorrow, this was not the greatest feeling on Earth!! Upon stepping inside to the 'Concert Hall' I realised that not only were there no chairs but it was like the inside of what I presume Men's prisons halls look like!!!  Clare and I swiftly secured our 2 spots at the very front of the stage and I did a quick recky to check A the state of the loos (not that bad) and B) the state of the bar! The latter being small and with staff who looked like they were bored to death before the evening had even started!

The very first warm up act did nothing to quell my fears that I had stumbled into the sort of show that x factor rejects had made up - worst of all he was a local Portsmouth lad (sorry mate!) just not for me I guess..............

I eyed up the bar with a lot more longing and after short deliberation and an exchange (could not be called customer contact in ANY way!) with the bar person a large (tepid) G & T had found it's way into my hand when a certain magic happened........... This shy, quiet slip of a young woman walked on, opened her mouth and sang and she took my breath away! Karima Francis - gentle, unassuming and with the voice of Joni Mitchell/Joan Armatrading type blew away my thoughts of being old and in the wrong place........
Listen to her (and download / buy her album The Remedy) I think she was fab!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2J0hnGb0RE

Anyway, there I am feeling a lot less old all, quite mellow and starting to enjoy the evening (it really was only 1 G & T) when Jack Savoretti and his group made their appearance.......... all I can say is wow, wow, and wow!!! I just alluded to X Factor and some of the so called singers that they have on there - but my goodness this young man outstripped all of them. Again and a bit like Karima -, he was understated, gentle (well mostly,till he really rocked out some of the songs!) When he played alone, the band having left the stage, he was just so amazing! The talent of this man was breathtaking! His acoustic guitar playing alone was brilliant!

So there we were - glued to the front railing, swaying and dancing and looking like moon struck teenagers at this gorgeous man!! Take me Home and a Soldiers Eyes were among my favourites, but For the Last Time was for me THE BEST!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaB5RXE6_Q&feature=related 

Jack also has a great album out called Before the Storm - don't buy it for me though, I've already got it - but buy it for yourselves............. its fan-tas-tic!!!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Your evening sounds exactly like mine! I am 54 and took my daughter and husband to see Jack in Brighton in June this year after hearing Knock Knock on Radio 2, didnt catch the name of the singer but thought the song and the voice were terrific. Googled info about Jack and couldnt believe it when he started his tour in Brighton. I too waited right at the front and my daughter who is only 23 and me were just mesmerized by his voice not to mention his very good looks (what a bonus). Saw him again last month in Brighton and cant wait to see him again on his next tour. This guy should huge. Love the Dirty Romantics too. Have got a few new fans through my facebook and they are going to see him tomorrow in London. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Clare said...

Yeah! Best evening in a long time. Loved his voice and songs since first heard him years ago. Great night with a great friend. X x

Anonymous said...

Um..hi Jack didn't play 'For the Last Time' at this gig, I know that because it's my favourite song on his new album !!

Liz said...

Hi Anonymous
Thanks for your comment about for For the last Time............ I have to say that I really thought he did - but hey, perhaps because its one of MY favourites as well, I thought he had!?! Lifes too short to quibble about it don't you think..............
Liz x

Rachel said...

Hi Liz again (I was the anonymous poster lol), I agree no point in arguing about it but me and my mum filmed most the gig and I wondered if you'd like to see my videos?
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwemazo0WIdK99lrfULvHbeu_F2HD4s8N&feature=view_all

I still have more to upload but thought you'd like to see this because we had a really good view too! We met Jack after the gig, he was really lovely and gave us a hug and had a photo taken with him, very lucky as I've been a fan since the very start and because I have a rare illness I've only been able to seen him once before in 2008, at Jongleurs in Gunwharf Quays! The Dirty Romantics were absolutely fantastic and the double bass player, Tomislav Benzon signed my ticket for me (as well as Jack) - such a great night :D

Cazamataz said...

I loved reading these comments and your post... my buddy, kirst, n i fell in love with Jack Savoretti's first album after hearing him on radio a few years ago....his music has been a sort of 'sanctuary of hope n emotional release' on our journey. we saw him in Leeds this week .. he has an amazing gift of weaving his poems n stories through music ..absolutley fab......and Karima Francis is a revelation ..soooo 'Beautiful'..i am ageing on the outside but their musical talent is keeping it real on the inside!

00kevin said...

I wasn't there but have seen a video. Not as good as James Blunt or Micheal Bubble.

Liz said...

Hi Rachel
Thank you for sharing those videos - what a great memory they provide. Looking at them, I don't remember bits of the concert. weird isn't it, the OLD memory!
Liz x

Liz said...

Hi Gaynor
Thanks for leaving your comments - I must say I think his band the Dirty Romantics were amazing!

Liz x

Liz said...

Hi Cazamataz
I like your comment about ageing on the outside, but I so agree with keeping it real INSIDE!!
Here's to more swaying with the music!!
Liz x