Danny Michel & Emma Lee (Dublin St. Church, Oct 20)

Whether plucking her guitar or pounding it in a percussive-strumming manner Emma Lee’s voice soared above. Her singing is strong right across her impressive range, easily filling the open hall of the Dublin Street Church. Her whistling is nothing to scoff at either, as she proved with a fully-whistled verse – just another element of a diverse show. From beneath her hat she mixed storytelling with lovely and at times revealing songs, including one penned alongside Ms. Jill Barber. An enjoyable set from a performer who comfortably mixed brand new songs into a set book-ended by Never Just a Dream songs That Sinking Feeling and Until We Meet Again.

Danny Michel has a proven fan base, no doubt built up from putting on quirky and fun performances over the years. This show was no different as Danny played, with an emphasis on playfulness, a solo show to a large gathering. Foregoing introduction he took the stage and launched into song with his trusty red electric guitar. His silence didn’t last long though as the atmosphere was kept light with stories, new and old, as well as questions from the audience. He even solicited requests only to jokingly ignore most of them, though he did bend to include his harmonica and I Will Love You For Miles to appease two shout outs. Whether it was recently released songs or back-catalogue tracks, Danny kept things interesting with loops, curious glances, and occasionally unique and unexpected delivery.

Having seen Danny solo recently, and knowing he’d recently been touring with a full band I was slightly disappointed when they weren’t there. Especially for Sunset Sea cuts that really snap on record with their full, upbeat sound that just can’t be duplicated with only a guitar, no matter how many layers of loops are added. That being said, if the band had been there we may not have witnessed as much quirk, or as many new takes on old songs, so it is a trade-off.

All in all the audience seemed pleased, both old fans and new converts alike. A two-song encore was demanded and saw the aforementioned harmonica, as well as an electronic sound-effect solo that was pretty neat. Danny Michel, entertaining as always.

Set List after the Jump
Into the Flame
Maybe You Can Find It In Your Heart
Sweet Things (yes, rock and roll ending, in a church)
This Feeling
Feather, Fur and Fin
Whale of a Tale
Wish Willy
Bank Robber (quick Clash cover)
If God’s On Your Side
White Lightnin’
Who’s Gonna Miss You?
Tennessee Tobacco
Encore
I Will Love You For Miles
Switchman

Read More...

Summary only...

Danny Michel, Solo, Sunlight Music Fest 2010

Danny Michel took the honour of headlining the fledgling Sunlight Music Festival in Guelph with grace and ease. Playing a very loose, solo set Danny oozed charm while entertaining the crowd gathered on the benches and grass encircling the Riverside Park bandshell. As mentioned he was unaccompanied on this occasion and worked primarily with his electric red guitar, swapped out briefly for a beat up black telecaster and augmented at times by his harmonica. It is the song writing that sets Danny apart moreso than his catchy, seemingly-simple music so this arrangement was just fine.

In keeping with this feeling his looping was understated and unobtrusive, as he laid down a few base samples for the first song while mirroring a child who was dancing and prancing near the stage. However for the catchysweet opening track from new album Sunset Sea Danny jovially noted that there were about 15 instruments on the album and that he’d do his best to replicate at least two, before playing Maybe You Can Find It In Your Heart. He described this album as being very happy and that feeling could certainly be heard on This Feeling – written on a bus riding in the Caribbean. Wish Willy played the part too. Older tracks were also put in the mix, with his environmentally-conscious Feather, Fur and Fin and a reinterpreted version of White Lightning that worked really well, especially with the mutli-layered ending (one of the few times the sampling was emphasized).

Throughout the show Danny was easy-going, playing with his cadence and with the kids in the audience. On I Will Love You For Miles he had a false start, momentarily forgetting the line and looking around to no one in particular, but laughed it off and began again with renewed confidence. A few songs also had false stops since the step of the sample pedal didn’t take effect but none of this detracted from the show, in fact it made it that much more personal. Adding to that was Danny laying bare his favourite song he’s ever written, Who’s Going to Miss You?, for good reason.

Leaving on a playful note the closer was Tennessee Tobacco, an upbeat ditty that had people tapping and bobbing along. So much so that they turned this kinetic energy to encore-worthy applause and received If God’s On Your Side, Who’s On Mine? in return. Danny Michel played a relaxed, easy-going set to a parkful of pleasant, fortunate people.

Read More...

Summary only...