There is no support act tonight, just two sets from the French Canadian with amazing self-taught guitar skills. The sounds he produces sound like they are from a few guitars, not just one. He has occasional back up on a couple of songs from a guy called Ben playing a fretless six-string bass, giving a haunting sound to the songs 'A Ripple Effect,/i>' and 'Alone In The Mist' (the bassline was composed by Michael Mannering. Ben is wearing a Jon Gomm T-shirt too, showing how far the Leeds Virtuosos reputation travels.
Many of Mongrain's songs refer to lost love ('Muse', 'Raindigger', 'Géométrie D'une Erreur'), appreciation of the planet ('Equilibrium'), and even one about getting used to playing new guitars ('Pandoras Box'). There's a brilliant song with a blues riff that is a work in progress, and so has no name as yet. Tonight's name though "for name's sake" is 'Outside Of This World Blues That Is Not Blues'. It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but for the Leeds lot it will do.
Although famous for his guitar tapping technique, where he places the guitar on his lap and plays it in a sort of piano style, there is not much of that on show tonight. In fact it is only the amazing 'Air Tap', made famous on places like You Tube, that he performs using the technique. I believe he wants to get away from being the 'guitar tapper', and this show tonight proves that he can amaze people just as much with his beautiful style of tapping the guitar and plucking with one hand in strange tunings, holding the guitar the 'common' way.
It is a very silent show crowd-wise, as everyone is equally reserved and enthralled by Mongrain's musicianship. That is until a lady (who seemingly appears from nowhere) shouts "More!" after he leaves the stage. She is quite loud, and makes everyone chuckle, including Mongrain, who asks if she wants to sing on stage. Ignoring him, she starts chatting loudly on the phone, and is asked to leave. Mongrain and the crowd have another wee chuckle, and then it's on to last track 'Eon Illusion', and a truthful statement in the way of "We are all on the same line, no matter how fast or slow it goes...' Then it's off to bed for Mongrain, I would love to shout "More!", but let the lad have some sleep; he deserves it.
Fates
A Ripple Effect
Maelström
Géométrie D'une Erreur
Equilibrium
The Silent Fool
Raindigger
Panodora's Box
Alone In The Mist
Outside Of This World Blues That Is Not Blues
Muse
Air Tap
Eon's Illusion
article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
published: 14/11/2008 11:25
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.