WILL KNOX: In-Knox-icating!

Writing and Photos by:

B.J. Barratt

B-Line Entertainment

I often go to Rebel Spirit nights at Rockwood Music Hall, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month. It’s usually a pretty good night of music. I’m not sure exactly what is involved in their selection process, but Deena Goodman, one of Rebel Spirit’s founders, was always great at finding talent for the New York Songwriter’s Circle when she worked with them, so I keep dropping in to see who is being showcased.

Last week featured a couple of artists recently transplanted to NY from Nashville and another visiting from LA, but the one to whom the night unquestionably belonged, was an ‘Englishman in New York’ by the name of Will Knox. It was obvious from the set up that there was something unique about to happen. It isn’t often that one sees both a banjo and a violin on stage at the same time.

To center stage steps a handsome young man with tussled curls and an impish smile. He speaks with a proper English accent – though he is said to be from London…and he does, in fact, support one of London’s top ranking football teams, Arsenal (I’ll try not to hold that against him), he has no sign of the common cockney dialect, but rather presents himself as a charming and refined gentleman with a quick wit and a gleam in his eye.

Before he struck the first note I was silently rooting for him, ‘oh man, if this kid can play…this is a hell of a package …”

Gently plucking the strings he begins. Then, he sings. His voice dances with a lovely lilt, telling stories in the classic folk tradition; of emigrants, of the quest for fame and fortune, of the fear of moving to NYC, and of lost love. Crafted words and beautiful old world melodies updated with 21st century pop sensibilities. Music that would be as comfortable in an old Irish pub as it would be at any current venue on the Lower East Side. He is a classic singer/songwriter, but with a clever Celtic twist that separates him from the rest of his contemporaries.

Some sweet and simple melodies are coupled with beautiful, intelligent lyrics which draw you in like an old friend telling you a story:

“She said learn some gratitude

And give the thanks I’m overdue

She said learn some self respect

Repair the other life you wrecked”

The band harmonizes as the violin adds a sympathetic sound, all beautifully arranged to envelop the audience in the tales he tells. Looking around the room, it’s easy to see, they gladly follow the dimpled troubadour into the lives of immigrant workers or down Hollywood Blvd, wherever this stories lead. And judging by the encore they demanded, they would have done so all night long.

Check out his myspace www.myspace.com/willknoxmusic to hear for yourself – and find a show near you…then…
have the inkeeper stoke the fire, pour the wine, and settle in for a fine night of music from a songwriter you’re very likely to hear making quite a name for himself rather quickly.

Other band members shown in photos: 

Clayton Mathews on Violin and Kyle Hauser on Banjo.

WILL KNOX: In-Knox-icating!

Concert Review- John Mayer and Colbie Callait

John Mayer & Colbie Caillat

A CONCERT REVIEW

Kathy Foxx

You know that time of the month when it feels like Satan’s child is clawing its way through your pelvis, causing sex to be nearly impossible, even though it’s all you want? (Ladies, you know what I’m talking about…) That’s what it felt like sitting through the Colbie Caillat and John Mayer performance during Milwaukee’s Summerfest. And I mean that in a good way.

Between Caillat’s soft, ‘bubbly’ voice to match a smooth and relaxing set, and Mayer’s (shockingly rocked-out) bluesy performance, I was experiencing more emotions than a typical mood swing.

Caillat began the show with an expected peaceful atmosphere filled with a full band performing the majority of her platinum-selling record, Coco (including her hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize"), along with a cover of Bob Marley’s "Turn Your Lights Down Low". Though she didn’t talk much (which is good, because it was hard to understand her when she did), her friendly, down-to-earth personality shined through in her giddy smiles to the audience, heartfelt lyrics, and casual-like guitar strumming. It felt like the audience members were all her best friends, and everyone was hanging out in her apartment having wine.

Caillat seems to have not gone far from her roots, with a show you would likely see in your local coffee shop.  The only (literal) sign that this was a larger venue was, in fact, a large banner with her name and logo that was raised from the floor, a trick probably not seen in cafes. She played through most of her songs without interruption, and showed off an incredible version of her first single, "Bubbly". She left with an almost child-like strut off stage.

Enter John Mayer. If orgasms were achievable based on a voice and presence alone, I guarantee the entire audience would have left completely satisfied on a whole other level. After a mellow performance from Caillat, Mayer cranked up the energy with a – dare I say it – rock show! Although he included hits such as "Gravity", "No Such Thing", and his most recent "Say", he focused on, as he explained, “the music that moves me, because that’s what moves you.”

And move us he did. Not only did he move the bodies in the audience, but he also moved our (or at least my) emotions. It’s something about the way he used lights – mostly blue – to match the blues-style of music, combined with the lyrics of songs such as "Waiting on the World to Change", which has all too much meaning these days. Between the powerful songs, and jokes about tabloid rumors, Mayer had the whole audience in laughter, tears, and a mixture of singing and screaming, all within minutes of each other.

Caillat’s lively, heartfelt performance was a perfect compliment to Mayer’s energetic, equally heartfelt finish to an outstanding concert.

Concert Review- John Mayer and Colbie Callait