Time is a fickle mistress. There she'll be, lying next to you under those cool white sheets, those luscious ruby-red lips whispering softly into your ear that she'll be yours forever. Ten minutes later, you realise she's not going to bring you breakfast in bed like she promised because she's too busy boinking the postman.
This has happened to me.
So, without further delay, I'd like to recount the comings and going of PAS over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully it'll take my mind off where Time has gone.
Last Thursday, the 16th day of the month of July of the year 2000 plus 9, was a funny night - funny in the sense of being comedic, rather than of oddness. Not for any particular reason, I should point out, it was just one of those nights where everyone's in a good mood and on form. Naomi Jasmine, for example, brightened up the room with a couple of well-measured ad libs in between her wonderfully constructed songs. Her smooth voice floated above the jazzy music in intelligent rhythms, supported by her sister, Jess, on BVs and Andy on keys. The music was just as easygoing as the person, and fantastic to listen to.
Sue Verran took the evening in a more traditional direction, her acoustic rock style kind of like the upbeat bits of Joni Mitchell, or perhaps a less hippie Sandy Denny. Stomping rhythms and flowing lyrics filled out the songs for a feeling of... well, I don't know. It's a little like a handmade clay pot that someone fashioned because it's their hobby. It's not mechanically made or lacquered and polished, it's just, simply, ably crafted, and much better for it.
Marcus Valance was much the same in terms of inspiration, though perhaps just a little more like the modern generation of singer/songwriters like Jason Mraz or King Creosote. That's not to say that there isn't a heavy inspiration from older artists, because there is, but the Americana influence and the streamlined delivery lend it a slightly different feel.
A week earlier, on the 9th, we had another great selection of artists. Kathryn Edwards brought the northern touch along, her superbly innovative songs lathered with a thick Mancunian accent, pushing the sound still further into the realms of ingenuity and genuine originality, all the while keeping a foot on the ground in the area of quality.
Patrick Plunkett joined in with his pop-acoustic tunes, slickly delivered like a professional crooner and with all the sweet taste of strawberry bubble gum, but with that smart edge to ensure that his ballads are contemporary and easily listenable.
Simon Fagan was a bit more rocky in his approach, though far more than just a rock influence can be heard in his music. Awesome riffs and a strong voice ensure that Simon's stuff is nothing short of brilliant.
And finally, one of PAS' favourites, Mark Bethune, turned up to play us a selection of his finest works. Mark's masterfully crafted songs are just brilliant to listen to, with fantastically played guitar-work and a voice full of texture with just a hint of mystery. You get the feeling that it all comes naturally to him. If only Time would naturally come to me...
Dave Knight
The
Portobello Acoustic Sessions is held every Thursday night from 7:30 at The Metropolitan bar, Westbourne Park.
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The PAS Diaries: The Past Two Weeks
