Natty - In Store Performance Review
August 14, 2008, 12:12 AM Views: 593
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 Natty steps, almost sheepishly, onto the ‘stage’ in the small but bright record store, followed by his band members Chrizla, Bear and John Blood. He is dressed casually but immaculately in dark jeans, a clean white tee and a red zipper hoodie (I find out later that he’s loving the free clothing phenomenon that accompanies his success!). He holds his guitar close, like a lover, and flicks a long dread from his eyeline as he surveys the audience, explaining to us that his late entrance was due to roadworks on the A40. Like any of us care! We’d have waited hours….
He introduces ‘Hey Man’, and we are all silent, nodding and tapping to the beat as Natty sings about the trials and tribulations of growing up in the UK right now, even cussing the ‘effing Playstation’ . Then comes ‘Badman’, a brilliantly up-beat track, followed by the sultry sounds of Natty’s voice telling us how much he enjoys these intimate gigs – he started his musical career with a live band at all his gigs, and told us how much he loves the atmosphere of small, acoustic performances. We, of course, as an audience, feel pleased and proud (and maybe just a little smug, too!).
Then he breaks into the opening chords of one of the most beautiful, sexy songs I’ve heard in a long time, ‘Bedroom Eyes’. As I’m singing along happily in the front row, Natty meets my eyes and gives me what I can only imagine are his bedroom eyes. Needless to say, I melt unashamedly, along with every other female in the room. But don’t worry, I know I’m not the first, or last, girl to see those eyes. Will it encourage me to gallop out and buy tickets to his next gig? Hmm, yeah maybe. Natty – 1, Miss Lucy – 0.
‘Revolution’ is next – one which Natty sings with his eyes closed to avoid the bright store lights. Eyes open or closed, he is captivating, and you could hear a pin drop in the room. This is followed by a recently penned track, ‘Satellites’, which Natty jokes is ‘from his second album’ (his debut album has only just been released!).
Cold Town – a frightening reflection of the way we treat each other in this day and age - is next, followed by Part II of ‘Bedroom Eyes’, which reminds us of all the things that can go wrong….and there are plenty. We are then promised two extra tracks to make up for our wait, which is greeted by more enthusiasm and applause.
The summer single, July, is next, and the audience morphs into a sea of swaying bodies and smiling faces, which turn to giggles as ‘The Bongo Man’ follows, a fantastic song focussing on John Blood, the master Djembe player.
We are then treated to introductions to each member of the band, and the atmosphere is familial, like we’ve all known each other for years.
We’re blessed with one more track, Coloured Souls, before Natty and the band say their thank-you’s and goodybyes, and the packing-up begins, while we queue eagerly to get autographs from the man himself. I really hope this won’t be the last time that I see Natty and his band. I’m expecting great things from them, and I seriously don’t think they will disappoint.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 8 | | Vocals / Lyrics | n/a | | Musicianship | n/a | | Production | n/a | | Creativity | n/a | | Lastability | n/a | | Reviewers Tilt | n/a |
80% | |
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