Tuesday 27 March 2012

Case Mayfield Gets Paradiso To Be Quiet



About a year ago I watched a singer songwriter as a support act. A shy guy took the stage and in a soft voice introduced himself. Then he started strumming his guitar and when he opened his mouth I was blown away. Now almost a year later Case Mayfield was in Paradiso to present his first full album 'The Many Colored Beast'.

Case Mayfield at Paradiso Amsterdam, March 23 2012 (Ronald Says 9 out of 10)



A big problem nowadays is people talking loudly during concerts. Not a problem with rock concerts, but for this show I was a little worried. Case Mayfield uses silence in his songs to make a point and to cause an effect. But as he starts playing the first song, people are hardly breathing. It is as if the whole crowd is holding its breath. It's the perfect atmosphere for Mayfield's dark and emotional songs, filling the room with tension. When he finishes the song, the room explodes. This seems a bit overwhelming for him as well.



Nowadays he's playing with a band. And that works really well. They lay down soundscapes for the songs, without draining their power. 'Tomorrow Is My Slavename' uses such a soundscape in a smart way and it works very well live. Centre of attention is Mayfield with his guitar and his music, who looks more comfortable surrounded by other musicians. His songs cut straight through your soul and send shivers down your spine.

It's songs like 'You Sure Lost A Lot Of Weight' and my personal favourite 'Alright Louise' that are the most impressive. Every word is well chosen and hits you with such an impact that you get sucked into the music completely. The crowd is more than willing to let this happen, turning this night into an unforgettable one. A glorious album presentation and a well deserved critical acclaim. Mayfield is a skilled and very talented songwriter that we are going to hear a lot more from in the future.





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