Howard Jones - The Acoustic Nights (SkinnyFest2)
The hits, received with enthusiastic applause, are the best parts of the performance: that he has not written anything as concise as Like to Get to Know you Well suggests stagnation.
| 14 Aug 2006
Those who remember Howard Jones' career as an electronic pop star might be surprised to discover that he is a sensitive pianist. Performing his hits alongside newer, unfamiliar numbers, he strips his music to a bare arrangement of piano and guitar, revealing the structure of his song-writing.
Sadly, Jones is neither a gifted lyricist nor an imaginative arranger. It is not until the end of the set that his guitarist shows some energy and his blunt piano parts rarely touch poignancy or sophistication. His delivery is mannered and lacks emotion- this emphasises the smug positivity of his words. When he covers Dido's White Flag, it only stresses how clumsy his own lyrics can be.
The hits, received with enthusiastic applause, are the best parts of the performance: that he has not written anything as concise as Like to Get to Know you Well suggests stagnation. Only The Wedding Song approaches vivacity, and this is mainly due to the guitar's forceful strumming. Howard Jones without the technical wizardry is a pleasant but bland hour. (Gareth K Vile)
Sadly, Jones is neither a gifted lyricist nor an imaginative arranger. It is not until the end of the set that his guitarist shows some energy and his blunt piano parts rarely touch poignancy or sophistication. His delivery is mannered and lacks emotion- this emphasises the smug positivity of his words. When he covers Dido's White Flag, it only stresses how clumsy his own lyrics can be.
The hits, received with enthusiastic applause, are the best parts of the performance: that he has not written anything as concise as Like to Get to Know you Well suggests stagnation. Only The Wedding Song approaches vivacity, and this is mainly due to the guitar's forceful strumming. Howard Jones without the technical wizardry is a pleasant but bland hour. (Gareth K Vile)
Gilded Ballon, Teviot, the run for this event has ended