Ariel Posen

White House: Ashington 18-2-19

So, if anyone’s been wondering where all the reviews of shows are, well, truth is, I’m having a bit of what you might call a “gap” year. I’m stepping back for a bit from the familiar faces and re-charging myself with the new and genre defying rather than defining. One such came round last night at the slightly out-the-way White House in Ashington (no “W” note..) in the form of Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer/all-round-nice-guy Ariel Posen.

Twelve months; Hell; even six months ago I’d have looked at you and said “Who?” too, but then I got hooked on things Bros Landreth for who Posen is a “live” sideman fixture - much like Earl Slick or Mick Ronson were for Bowie at various stages and these are comparisons I’ve considered carefully as Ariel is no mere “guitar-for-hire” as was soon apparent last night, with the depth & sensitivity of his self-penned songs. Thoughtfully, these were separated into 3 distinct categories; the sad ones; the new ones - which were still sad ones and the one happy one! Doesn’t quite explain how he categorised the cover in the 90 minute set, a working of Billy Preston’s Nothing For Nothing though it did go to showcase the dynamic technique he has on guitar.

Concentrating on the craft of songwriter, rather than guitar hero it was interesting in watching how Ariel constructed his feature solos, not fluid or indulgent but for me more reminiscent of Jeff Beck in the way he’d fire out seemingly random searing staccato bursts which he then manipulated and twisted, like a sonic Calder mobile into an aurally pleasing and technically astounding form.

The set was focussed on the debut solo album, How Long and each track performed in such a way as it was apparent this album has been a long-time labour of love and even as a life-long musician, Ariel is seizing the opportunity to step forward and project this, fine guitar work and a good and compelling voice as well as recruiting a strong backline from his adopted home in Ireland. The time really did seem to fly over at the end of the main set, so it was no surprise that the full room, packed to standing room only (on a MONDAY!) were cheering for an encore (the polite Canadian influence clearly rubbing off - no “beer-glass bongos"here), and so it was with a nod to the Irish home that the chosen cover was John Martyn’s Angelina which fitted so well with the previous set you’d question who wrote what…

This wasn’t Ariel Posen’s first visit to Ashington, he was there last summer and apparently this return was a priority for this tour. from the mutual love in the room, you can see why, and why he’ll be back again and so will the majority of the audience. Pleased to see that Tilerman and I weren’t the only ones flying the flag for Durham in the Wansbeck region; our mate Gary Grainger was in attendance as well Ian B, a Hartlepool regular among the familiar faces; kind of makes you feel part of an exclusive club.

Must also give an approving nod to the support for the evening, singer/songwriter Joe Patrick Devitt who crossed several time-zones and large expanses of frozen tundra (from Morpeth) to deliver an engaging 40 min acoustic set of self-penned numbers from his soon-to-be-delivered solo album.

Feb 22 Fri The Causeway Hall - Tonbridge, United Kingdom
Feb 24 Sun The Borderline - London, United Kingdom
Feb 25 Mon Komedia Brighton - Brighton, United Kingdom
Feb 26 Tue The Comrades Club - Coulsdon, United Kingdom
Feb 28 Thu The Flowerpot - Derby, United Kingdom

Mar 7 Thu Coughlans Bar - Cork, Ireland
Mar 10 Sun The Sugar Club - Dublin 2, Ireland
Apr 6 Sat Ards Guitar Festival - Belfast, United Kingdom

Apr 27 Sat The Hotel Café - Los Angeles, CA, United States
Apr 29 Mon Strum Guitars - Portland, OR, United States
May 1 Wed Layman Drug Company - Nashville, TN, United States
May 2 Thu Midwood Guitar Studio - Charlotte, NC, United States 
May 4 Sat Blind Willie McTell Festival - Thomson, GA, United States
May 6 Mon Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY, United States
May 9 Thu Saxon Pub - Austin, TX, United States
May 10 Fri The Guitar Sanctuary - Mckinney, TX, United States

PS - if you’ve got a couple of hours, or you can whizz thru, look at the company this guy keeps…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGDWMtjKgbs

Hartlepool Supporters - 25th Jan

Second gig of the year, and almost a touch of the deja-vus again; 2nd gig last year was Ariel Posen except that was up in the wilds of Northumberland, this time it was a bit more local, over at Hartlepool, so no “free desserts”. Still, Tommy served us up a three course treat on a week-end where it seemed every showroom had something tasty to offer.

First up this evening were Liverpool’s Jupiter Blues Band, who presented their own energetic mix of Blues and Rock’n'Roll. This energetic young band of Scousers may not have been Free, but they had enough swagger to match bands like The Temperance Movement. Strong vocals and stage presence from vocalist Dale, very good guitar from Chris when he opened the taps, and solid backline from Rick and 19y old Ross behind the drums. Great shot of early evening caffeine.

By stark contrast, Cathal Murphy just seemed to appear to one side of the stage but delivered a semi-acoustic solo set that caught the rooms attention, even the Rhianna cover went down well. I’ve said a lot elsewhere about this engaging youngster, but I recommend you catch him throughout the UK leg of this tour if you can.

The main course though was Ariel, and in a week-end where the local area had it’s share of heroes, this Canadian songsmith proved his worth to be at the top table. One of that rare breed who can sing and play guitar equally as brilliantly and let’s face it, in terms of guitar we’re looking toward the likes of Ry Cooder here. The way he plucks seemingly random phrases and juggles them into a searing epic solo is truly amazing. And the songs, touchingly personal and heartfelt yet avoiding mawkish over-sentimentality.

How Long had just been released when he toured here last year, and the songs have settled into the live show and are now rubbing shoulders with newer material which hopefully will see release later in the year. And we still get the great Billy Preston’s Nothing For Nothing cover as well as John Martyn’s Angelina as the first of two encores for the evening. Oh, they know good gravy when they get it at Hartlepool.

JAN 27 Ashington, United Kingdom White House Unique Social Club
JAN 28 Leicester, United Kingdom The Musician
JAN 30 Derby, United Kingdom The Flowerpot
FEB 01 London, United Kingdom Omeara
FEB 03 Sheffield, United Kingdom Greystones
FEB 04 Witney, United Kingdom Fat Lil’s
FEB 05 Swindon, United Kingdom Level III
FEB 07 Brecon, United Kingdom Northcote Conservative Club
FEB 08 Guildford, United Kingdom Boileroom
FEB 09 Brighton, United Kingdom Komedia
FEB 10 Bristol, United Kingdom Louisiana
FEB 16 Winnipeg, Canada Festival du Voyageur Inc.
FEB 20 Bollnäs, Sweden Kulturhuset
FEB 21 Östersund, Sweden Best Western Hotel Gamla Teatern
FEB 22 Sundsvall, Sweden Q-Bar
FEB 26 Stockholm, Sweden Fasching
FEB 27 Örebro, Sweden Makeriet - Magasinet
FEB 28 Mariehamn, Aland Islands Pub Ettan
FEB 29 Uddevalla, Sweden The Rock Bar
MAR 07 Thunder Bay, Canada Port Arthur Polish Hall Limited

September 2023 - UK Tour dates...

SEP 03 SUN  O2 Academy Birmingham
SEP 04 MON  Bristol, Thekla
SEP 05 TUE  Manchester, The Bread Shed
SEP 06 WED  Narberth, The Queens Hall
SEP 07 THU  Brighton, Komedia
SEP 08 FRI  London, The Garage