Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany27th May 2009
Beth Hart & Markus Vollmer
Last year, the Californian singer and songwriter BETH HART released her fourth album `37 Days´. According to the long-player’s title, it only took 37 days to record it. Due to her unique voice, the intense lyrics and a Blues-influenced soundscape, the previous albums `Immortal´ (1996), `Screamin’ for my Supper´ (2000) and `Leave the Light on´ (2006) attracted a big following, The musician, who also plays the guitar and the piano, is particularly popular in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, but she is on the rise in Germany too.
Accompanied by the guitarist JON NICHOLS, BETH HART went on her recent “Duo Acoustic Tour” and accepted the Colos-Saal´s invitation to present her soulful songs in Aschaffenburg. On 27th May 2009, the extraordinary singer came to the Lower Main area and proved that her stunning concert definitely deserved the club’s seal of quality named “For Real Music Lovers”. http://www.bethhart.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/bethhartofficial
When I entered the venue, I noticed a group of bar stools on stage and in the hall referring to a probably contemplative concert evening. By and by, the guests arrived; the average age was about 40 years. It was a cosy lounge atmosphere underlined by the stage design: A backdrop with a BETH HART signature, a carpet, the bar stools, a piano, some guitars and several standard-lamps offered a rounded overall picture. At 8pm the hall was well-filled and it was time for the support act.
Markus Vollmer
As the Danish band AURA couldn’t play due to a band member’s illness, the 33-years-old Mannheim singer and songwriter MARKUS VOLLMER filled in for AURA on short notice. MARKUS VOLLMER has an excellent reputation in the local music scene. At the age of six years, he started to learn how to play the guitar. Later on, he joined the Country band of his parents and studied Jazz and Pop music at the Frankfurt Musikwerkstatt, a renowned conservatory. In 2007, the singer released his album `So Far´ that contained pieces which are influenced by Soul, Rock, Country and Jazz. Besides the work with his own formation MARKUS VOLLMER AND BAND, he has already played as a session musician for artists such as VICKY LEANDROS and CASSANDRA STEEN. http://www.markusvollmer.net/
Music & Performance
After MARKUS VOLLMER had taken a seat on one of the bar stools, he explained why he was there instead of AURA and that he hoped to please the audience just as well. And he did! Right from the start, the crowd hung on his lips and listened attentively to his beautiful acoustic songs such as `Monterey´, `Seven Days´ or `So Far´ that he intonated with his agreeable voice. He accompanied his vocals by playing the acoustic guitar. All in all, his style reminded me a bit of artists such as JOHN MAYER or ERIC CLAPTON. His about 30-minutes set was well-received by the audience that rewarded MARKUS VOLLMER with great applause. I also liked the relaxed and acoustic guitar-driven pieces and enjoyed the appearance a lot.
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 7
Sound: 8
Light: 5
Total: 7.3 / 10
Beth Hart
After MARKUS VOLLMER had finished his performance, a short change over took place. BETH HART’s husband appeared on stage and brought the setlist. Some minutes later, the eagerly awaited (and bare-footed) BETH HART and her guitarist JON NICHOLS entered the stage while the audience was cheering for them in an ear-deafening way.
Music & Performance
I expected a dignified and calm concert due to BETH HART’s often melancholic songs and the tour title. Therefore I was surprised to watch a good-humoured and bubbly singer who was able to enthuse everybody by her cheerful appearance and the doubtlessly outstanding voice. When BETH HART announced an upcoming song, she didn’t only say the title. By showing a good sense of humour, she told the song’s story and intention. Thus, she often raised some laughs and the audience celebrated the 37-years-old songwriter even before she started to intonate.
There were also some serious moments, for example when BETH HART explained the origin of the heart-rending ballad `Missing you´. She wrote the song - that is a piece taken from her recent album - after she had watched a report about Russian children who have to grow up under bad conditions. Contrary to that sad issue, she dedicated `Stinky Feet´ to her beloved husband. What a revealing confession that made me laugh! Before Beth sang the `L. A. Song´, she had told about her sudden feeling of being fed up with Los Angeles she had once. Hence, she had gone on a trip to have a change of scene. After a while, she had found out how chaotic and exhausting her new place was. That awareness made her come back to Los Angeles.
Besides the fantastic songs and her amusing stories, BETH HART also convinced the crowd by her passionate performance. In general, acoustic concerts don’t need a lot of movements, but although Beth sat on a bar stool she was moving all the time. Bouncing her feet, shaking her head or gesticulating, she drew the audience’s attention. Her voice came up with a wonderful vibrato and she was able to put all her feelings authentically in her vocals. JON NICHOLS seemed to be very concentrated on his guitar playing. Every now and then, he smiled and watched the crowd that wanted Beth and Jon to give an encore. To sum up: BETH HART is one of the best female singers I have witnessed and I wouldn’t hesitate to attend another concert of her.
Setlist
01. Mama
02. Baby Baby I love you
03. Lifts you up
04. Delicious Surprise
05. Stinky Feet
06. Missing you
07. Jealousy
08. Good as it gets
09. L. A. Song
10. By her
11. Today came home
12. Sick
13. Waterfalls
14. Mood I’m in
15. Easy
---
16. Gimmee Gimmee Gimmee
17. Leave the Light on
18. Weight of the World
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 8.6 / 10
All pictures by Katrin Renner (http://www.creavision-webdesign.de/)
{jos_sb_discuss:17}
