Concert Review: Delaney Davidson & Bruce Russell – Wine Cellar March 23, 2019
John Mayer and Alien Weaponry may have been in town last night, but the truly adventurous music fan would have been found at the Wine Cellar.
Delaney Davidson and Dead C guitarist Bruce Russell were slated to headline a show after releasing their album One Hand Loose…a tribute to rockabilly icon Charlie Feathers.
But I don’t think Mr Feathers would have recognized the sounds being generated on the Wine Cellar’s tiny stage.
When I arrived shortly after 9pm, I was greeting by what sounded like a lawn mower being started. One stage were three musicians who, for this, their maiden performance, called themselves Rails To The Sky.
They were double bass player Eamon Edmundson-Wells, drummer Steve Cournane and Noel Meek, who was responsible for the strange electronic noises emanating from the devices placed in front of him.
Throughout their set, Meek created sounds that ranged from the afore-mentioned mower to a sheep in heat, and everything in between. At times, his electronic shards of sound almost became guitar riffs, at other times they were completely otherworldly. Meanwhile the rhythm section made their own sonic sandwich, sometimes reacting to Meek’s sounds at other times taking off on their own.
It was different…but refreshingly so. Music to clear the head.
Up next came drummer and percussionist extraordinaire Chris O’Connor. You’ve probably seen him backing SJD or with The Phoenix Foundation. But for this performance he was on his own.
Dressed in a black gown, Chris proceeded to slowly light 50 candles that were laid out in front of him while electronic music played through the PA. As he lit each candle he would then take a few steps back and proceed to tap on a cymbal or drum or some other percussive device. A beautifully moving tribute to those whose died in Christchurch last week.
Then, with no fanfare, Delaney and Bruce strapped on their guitars and after a few minutes of adjusting levels and tones, let loose with a wall of feedback that went on for a good 40 minutes. They played back to back, each man aiming his instrument at his amp.
Delaney let out a few well-placed howls, but mostly what we heard was guitar noise. No surprise if you are a Dead C follower, but Delaney’s fans might have been taken aback.
Actually, everyone in the room seemed to be digging the sounds and there were smiles all around as the evening came to a close.
Each of the acts turned in a one-time-only performance. I’m glad I was there to witness it.
Marty Duda
