Bristol, July 3rd, 2009
Sometimes gigs just leave you wondering why. Why subject an artist of Howe Gelb’s calibre to the confined, sweaty, and tonight, technically disastrous, Thunderbolt? For over thirty years, Gelb has produced some of the most original re-imaginings of alt-country, bringing unbridled creative energy to the genre. With his band Giant Sand, various collaborative projects, and his solo work, Gelb has amassed a back catalogue, both prolific and impressive. In short, the man is a legend and deserves more than this.
Tonight Gelb performs a wide selection of tracks spanning his career, including several from last year’s excellent proVISIONS album. After a witty and engaging narrative about Giant Sand’s recent performance at All Tomorrow’s Parties comes Increment of Love, the album’s highlight, and a moment of transitory success this evening. Throughout the set, Gelb’s trademark vocals shift between gravelly baritone, unsettling distortion, and a hoarse whisper. The latter frequently getting lost in the hum of disengaged voices from a selfish and ignorant quota of the audience. His Chinese-puzzle lyrics consequently evaporate in the heat.
Despite the constant prattling, endless technical problems and the humidity, Gelb still manages to impose his considerable talent, in particular on Shiver and Stranded Pearl which bristle with sinister energy. Leaving behind his guitar, Gelb turns to his keyboard a few times during the performance, most notably on Rag. However, the drunken chatter doesn’t cease; eventually, Gelb loses patience and quips, “This isn’t a real piano so I hope you’re not having a real conversation.”
After yet another technical problem, Gelb wryly imparts, “Improvisation is only problem-solving.” It is Gelb’s good humour along with his persistence that stops the gig falling apart altogether. As Gelb returns for an encore, he invites close friend John Parish to accompany him. Parish declines and, to be honest, who can blame him. In another venue, under different circumstances, this would have been the perfect end, but as with the whole evening, it didn’t quite happen.