There are two things I really love about Australia:
1. Its close proximity to New Zealand; and
2. Eskimo Joe.
So when the three enthralling lads that form Eskimo Joe suggested back at their December gig in London, that to hear some of their new stuff we would have to come back for their March/April European tour, I was the first to book the date in my diary.
Playing at the impressive Camden venue Koko this time around, and having new material to premiere, the pressure was high for Eskimo Joe, who haven’t released any new studio work since their 2006 stunner Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
Alas, before Eskimo Joe took the stage, I had to endure opening act Jersey Budd. Quite simply, I liken Jersey Budd to an annoying jester sent to vaguely entertain me until the real act comes along. The set confirmed my complete mystification and genuine anger as to when and how it became common practice to have starter band that is this bland.
After the shoddy preface has left, thankfully, Eskimo Joe don’t stray too far from their schedule, and take the stage to the intro to first single from forthcoming album Inshalla, ‘Foreign Land’. The beat lends perfectly for lead singer, Kav Temperley, to cut some awesome shapes on stage in his skinny white jeans and waist-coat, and the very smartly dressed guitarists, Joel Quartermain and Stu MacLeod look right at home flanking Temperley’s massive stage presence and undeniable talent.
‘Foreign Land’ begins strong with a very tribal feel, bringing with it the power that Eskimo Joe are ready to take on more responsibility in the big wide world of internationally recognisable recording artists. “I smell the blood of an Australian…” sings Temperley, which brings a massive cheer from the obviously fairly Antipodean crowd. ‘Foreign Land’ is followed by another newbie, title track from the long awaited album, ‘Inshalla’. The song also gives Quartermain a chance to take the spotlight with a roaring guitar solo mid-track.
Temperley’s introduction “Here’s one you might know…” leads into a run of tracks from Eskimo Joe’s previous two albums (yet not drifting far enough back to 2001 debut, Girl), which has the three musicians swapping their instruments with each other and switching between a plethora of stunning looking guitars. Ring-in pianist, Lee Jones, actually gets one of the loudest rounds of applause of the evening as he takes on the heart-felt ballad ‘London Bombs’.
The next track from Inshalla, ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ is a happier sounding song in comparison to the brooding, mournful tones of Black Fingernails, Red Wine, and shows an overall growth and newfound vision into things more divine, with lyrics such as “Say a little prayer to bring you home”.
2004 album A Song Is City has a come back in the form of ‘I’m So Tired’ and ‘Smoke’, where focus is turned to drummer, Nick Johnson, for a solo flowing into fourth new track of the night, ‘The Sound of Your Heart’. After a slight hiccup with someone’s guitar, Eskimo Joe get back on course and the cute tinkling behind lyrics “I love the sound of your heart” takes the pleasant little pop song to an attractive, sing-along level.
Prior to the encore, MacLeod leads the masses as he plays conductor in a orchestral vocal sound off that sounds amazing with the near capacity venue participating. Fifth and final new song of the night ‘Losing Friends Over Love’ has the feel of Enigma’s ‘Return to Innocence’ and complies with the general brighter feeling of the other tracks that are yet to be released which were showcased tonight.
Eskimo Joe have a good thing going, gently easing the new tracks onto their audience, and tonight, they left me and the hundreds filling Koko happily wanting more. With the Australian/NZ release not due until the end of May, and only select European release dates in the pipelines, we will all have to wait a little longer to get our hands on the real deal Inshalla...but, if tonight’s preview is anything to go by, it will be well worth the wait.
Eskimo Joe played:
1. Foreign Land
2. Inshalla
3. Sarah
4. Older Than You
5. New York
6. Setting Sun
7. London Bombs
8. This is Pressure
9. Don’t Let Me Down
10. I’m So Tired
11. Smoke
12. The Sound of Your Heart
13. Black Fingernails, Red Wine
Encore:
14. Losing Friends Over Love
15. How Does It Feel?
16. From The Sea
| 
Les Gars - Koko, Camden 28/11/08
| Reviews 
Eskimo Joe - Live @ Koko, London
