This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
Opening up for John Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen at The Iron Horse in Northampton, MA was Matt White. Now we all know that I am a huge fan of Matt, and walking through the door of The Iron Horse just emphasized how much so. We hadn’t even given my name to the hostess yet, when Matt saw us. He came over and thanked my friend and me for coming to the show. Asked how long it took us to get there, and when I told him two hours, he told us we must be dedicated. I wouldn’t have missed that show for all the Chopin in the bar. He also noticed that I changed my hair. What a guy. He is like a kid in a candy shop when he talks about having attended the Grammies with his management just days prior, showing us a picture of the back of Sting’s head. Wanting so much to take a picture with Sting, but playing it cool, he snapped a picture with his cell phone to capture the moment.
The Iron Horse is a quaint little venue, with lots of artful character. The bar was to the rear of the venue and there is a small dance floor area just in front of the stage. The venue is seated with tables, and fairly rustic. Pictures of past performers wallpaper the surroundings, and there is an upstairs seating area, with a balcony like view of the stage area. We are seated strait ahead of the stage and there is a beam right smack dab in front of us obstructing our view. We order some martinis and nachos and await the show.
Matt hits the stage at exactly 7pm and opens on keyboards with “Anyone Else”. I take my spot up front but off to the side as not to impede in anyone’s view. It’s a much laid back crowd; however people were bopping and giving Matt their full attention during his set. Switching from piano to guitar, Matt commanded the stage fully. Second he plays “Just What I’m Looking For”, a breezy tune with Billy Masters on guitar and Matt marches his way through instead of toe taps. The rest of his set includes “Best Days”, “I’ll Be There”, and “Miracles”. He closes with my favorite, “Play”, during which you can tell the guys are thoroughly warmed up and ready to play another 8 tunes. However, the set is prematurely over, as it was unfortunately a short set tonight.
Today I found a piece from “The Daily Collegian” http://www.dailycollegian.com/home/ and Michael Trabert wrote:
“The only negative aspect about it was the opening act. The band named after its front man, Matt White, absolutely did not fit in with John Cleary’s music. The music was performed to an audience that didn’t receive it at all. White spewed his plastic slog for what was, thankfully, a short set. His music could be compared to a theme song for a Lifetime channel made-for-TV movie. An example of some of his lyrics: “I believe in miracles, I believe in you and me” and “Those are the best days of my life.” It would have been very hard for this group to be anymore fabricated, whiny, commercial and average.”
Funny, I don’t know what show he was at, in fact I wonder if he was there at all. “Plastic slog”? “Lifetime channel made-for-TV movies”? I’m in total disagreement here. Matt has a generation breaking sound. One that lovers of any genre of music can connect to, and I believe that is the point here. Making a career with music that will bridge the generations and last throughout time. Similar to what James Taylor and Billy Joel have accomplished. I see it happening. You’ll see.
I was amazed at how many patrons came to Matt at the end of the show to give them their praise on his marvelous set. All wanting to know when they’ll see him again, and what lies in his future. Signed to Geffen Records he and his management are making all the right moves in a timely manner to ensure that his career is off on the right foot, to make certain we’ll see a lot more of Matt White in the future.
Reviewed by: Stacie Caddick-Dowty | February 2007
