Jose Gonzalez - by Conor Mills

Jose Gonzalez played O2 Shepherds Bush on 28^th May to showcase his album ‘Vestiges and Claws’, his first solo album in 7 years. The sell-out crowd did not leave disappointed.

Christobel and the Sea were the supporting act on the night, a four piece multi-national band with French, Spanish, Portugese and English members. They appeared very gratified to be playing what they called their biggest venue yet but their performance showed little of the nerves expected to a queitly expectant crowd. Their music clearly highlights the international influences they bring together – crossing brazilian music with a classical flute and making excellent use of an effects board throughout the set, they certainly had an unique sound. Watch out for them in the future!

The main act followed soon after. With a backing band instruments consisting of a muffled drumkit, a set of bongos, a second spanish guitar and an effects board, they did a good job of maintaining that folk/acoustic feel while filling the 2,000 seater venue with sound.

‘Vestiges and Claws’ as an album makes heavy use of harmonic vocals, layered guitar melodies and simple percussion which I found to be very easy listening. On the night, I found myself trying to identify each layer of sound coming from each individual musician. I couldn’t help but marvel at the seamless overlapping between different musicians – it was exceptionally well put together.

Not my usual kind of gig, I did wonder at the eerily well respected silence while each song was played, ending with tumultuous applause, whistling and cheering in between. I never heard a soul booming out the words of well known songs, and in the odd chance someone spotted an opportunity to sing along, they were promptly shushed into silence by the rest of the crowd. They, like me, I think just wanted to appreciate what they were hearing exactly as they were supposed to. The result was that the whole crowd seemed to be hanging on every note being played, and I for one found it mesmerising.

While the 10 song album was excellently played in its entirety throughout the night, I would give special mention to the songs ‘Let It Carry You’ and ‘What Will’ which were played as the first and last songs of the set. Faster, more up-beat songs than the rest of the album, watching them live particularly highlighted the ease in which the band combined complex indivdual parts of the song to ones which sound quite simple overall.

I was also delighted with the selection of additional songs included from other albums which were dotted throughout the set. Making appearances were the songs ‘Hints’, the very popular ‘Cycling Trivialities’ and his most famous song ‘Heartbeats’ which was played in the encore. They performed two well known cover songs to great reception which were Kylie Minogue’s ‘Hand On Your Heart’ and Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’, as well as one I had never heard called ‘This Is How We Walk on the Moon’, originally by Arthur Russell. Finally, with members of his old band Junip in the backing band, it was fitting that they play the melodic ‘Walking Lightly’ which had the whole venue moving along with the music as one.

Easy for me to see why the gig was very quickly sold out. A unique one for me, a thoroughly enjoyable night and a real desire to see him live again!

I'm going to leave you with a few select songs which I heard for the first time on the night, but really left a lasting impression:

'Hand On Your Heart' 

'This Is How We Walk On The Moon'

'Walking Lightly'