Geoff Farina/Chris Brokaw - The Sussex Arms, Tunbridge Wells 11/12/10
4/5
By: Stephen Maughan
Take a couple of middle aged American men away from their families and put them on a whirlwind 15 date tour of England playing intimate venues in little towns most of us will never visit. You may question their endurance when they are playing to small crowds during a blistering cold and snowy December, where often the venues are so cold these men are forced to perform wearing two jumpers, coats, hates, scarfs, and they can see their breath linger in the bitter air.
It's all part of the adventure for Geoff Farina and Chris Brokaw, otherwise known as two of the most talented guitarists and lyricists in modern American music. Farina is, of course, best known for fronting Karate. He also won many admirers for his work with the Secret Stars, and more recently Glorytellers (whom Rockfeedback awarded 5 stars last year). Brokaw, of Codeine, Come, and accomplished guitar player who has played with the likes of Thurston Moore and Evan Dando.
They are here to play a few tunes from their album The Angel's Message To Me which sees Farina and Brokaw affectionately cover elegantly some early 20th Century songs you might come across in the bargain bin at the charity shop including quite lovely numbers from LeRoy Carr and Blind Arthur Blake, and the intimate setting of the Sussex Arms is a perfect backdrop to enjoy a couple of American indie rock legends stripped down to acoustic guitar and hushed voices. They take to the stage together to perform a few numbers from the LP before separating for each to play a few solo songs.
Farina (pictured) leads the way by playing some new material, due for a forthcoming solo album in 2011, which on the basis of tonight it's going to be quite brilliant. Elegant, subtle, lyrically rich tales of finding and accepting love with a touch of healthy melancholy which seems to come to Farina so naturally. It's interesting Farina doesn't play anything from his back catalogue, and when I met up with him afterwards he talked only of his future recording plans. Brokaw, however plays a few favourites from his rich oeuvre – in both appearance and attitude he is the rougher one, his blistering guitar playing and husky voice complimenting Farina's subtler, jazzy style.
They come together again to play more songs, including some from the tour only release The Boarder’s Door , and it's really quite beautiful. They have a spontaneous approach seemingly choosing songs at random, and I'm struck by how relaxed they seem, just a couple of guys playing some songs and having a good time No rock bands, no ego's, and no huge venues to please. Farina explained to me after the show in a whistle stop interview how this album was made after Farina and Brokaw, who both lived in Boston at the time, would hang out, talk about music, and play some of their favourite songs together. This friendship and mutual respect is what makes both the record, and particularly this tour, so enchanting.
Artists in this article: Geoff Farina , Chris Brokaw
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment