Preview

This man is a radical singer/songwriter like no other. Now signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World label, and championed by Lou Reed amongst others, the Ohio-born Manhattan-based Arthur is something of a Renaissance man: not only a unique musician, but a writer, sculptor, and painter. A lone figure on stage with an acoustic guitar pretty much defines your average troubadour, but with this man that's where the similarity ends. Joseph Arthur is a 21st century one-man band, using an array of pedals, tools and electronic gadgetry to sample himself in live performance, building a mesmerising rhythmic tapestry of guitar and percussion patterns, multiple harmonies, loops and ambient sound to underpin his gripping tales of life as seen through his eyes. Innumerable rave reviews of both his live work and his CDs, a Grammy nomination, and a strong cult following testify to the importance of this completely individualistic post-modern craftsman. Come to the Talbot tonight with an open mind, and be amazed.

"Number 1 Album of the Year" - New York Newsday

"Senior Editor's Number 2 Album of the Year" - Spin Magazine

"Best Concert of the Year" - San Francisco Chronicle

"Arthur learned from Leonard Cohen's stoicism, Kurt Cobain's sullen determination, and Tom Waits' raw-bone arrangements, as he looks at characters who have been kicked around but aren't down yet." - New York Times

"Inspiring craftsmanship ... a one-man storm ... a name to note" - Times

"... sickeningly talented" - Independent

"... a troubadour very much of the electronic age ... his music is charged with emotion" - Entertainment Weekly

Review

A lofty, dishevelled, (er) laid-back figure, Joseph shambled onto the dimly lit stage unannounced (his choice) and proceeded to electrify us with his unique approach to solo performance, strumming his battered acoustic guitar one moment, using it's body as the foundation of his on-stage sampling technique the next. A flight-case box-of-tricks and numerous associated foot-pedals are brought into play, and you'd swear there was a full band up there, as multiple vocal harmonies, bass and lead guitar lines, percussion and looping patterns of often near-industrial noise pour out of this uniquely inventive artist. Joseph painted with sound before our very eyes, and with very few exceptions we were duly mesmerised.

The Talbot's spartan breakfast regime - downstairs by 11:00 or you've missed it - failed to match with Joseph's bohemian body-clock the next morning, a minor blip in an otherwise memorable visit from a man who, if his mentor Peter Gabriel has anything to do with it, could well be the Next Big Thing.