Montag, 5. Dez 2005, 8:50

Ok so I finally got to see A and the Js (Bristol UK 2 December 2005). How often do you find yourself saying "I love (such and such an artist/band)"? Hyperbole usually, overused word, like "genius". Probably the only artist I could honestly say that about is Brian Wilson (for whom genius is not too strong either).
Antony comes close though, and remarkably is even better live than recorded. The purity of his voice and the sincerity of his singing are matched by his exquisite piano playing (no basher of chords he). He has an appealing blend of shyness and confidence - the latter especially when the occasional moron has something to say to demonstrate their "wit".
I expected something pretty intense and wasn't disappointed, but I didn't expect to get so much humour and especially not a singalong on "For Today I'm A Boy". This involved all the men in the audience singing "One day I’ll grow up, I’ll be a beautiful woman,One day I’ll grow up, I’ll be a beautiful girl" and the women "But for today I am a child, for today I am a boy"! Needless to say a lot more women sang along than men! In fact I got the impression that a fair proportion of the men found Antony a little threatening - which says more about them than him I think. I had occasion to ask a couple of such guys behind me to be quiet. To my surprise one of them came up to me at the end to shake my hand and thank me. Antony's benign influence I think.
Hard to pick out highlights but I suppose his version of the Velvet Underground's "Candy Says" brought out just what a desparately sad song it is. "Trust Your Mother" (where Antony had us hum the accompaniment and where the resonance was so perfect we sounded like a professional choir) brought a lump to my throat, but during "What Can I Do?" (minus Rufus Wainwright of course)I got a speck of dust in my eye - honest!
A word for the Johnsons by the way, as multi-talented, sympathetic and subtle group of musicians as you could wish for.
For me album of the year and gig of the year - and I for one will continue to claim Antony as British!
Antony and the Johnsons