Scott Kelly

Those who know Oakland’s finest Neurosis (and love them) probably doesn’t wonder when frontman SCOTT KELLY needs more room to express himself musically. Besides his work in bands such as Neurosis, Shrinebuilder, Blood In Time and other creative outlets SCOTT KELLY also writes music on his own and goes on tour with his acoustic guitar only what, as he says: “has brought me many of deepest reflections on how and why I do what I do”. No need to mention that his musical solo approach is as dark and apocalyptic as in Neurosis for example.

:: pics ::

Unfortunately I missed SCOTT KELLY on his first acoustic tour in 2007? And so was more than happy to see his Winter Tour 2010 being announced. Back at that time he also gave a guest performance in the Paulus Church and friends couldn’t stop telling me how great this evening was.
Getting into the church I was surprised again, about people’s behavior when they enter such building, no matter for what reason. Everybody calms down, talks quietly and obviously feels… different. No annoying mobile ringing, no stupid girl talking.

On the podium with altar, bible and candles also a musical stand, a guitar rack, acoustic guitars and a little Marshall amp is placed, one yellow and one red light spots on this scenery. The evening gets opened by :: BORIS GOTT :: to warm up heart and soul in the cold church. The man with the white vest and the black heart sings songs about the darkest heart of the Ruhr area in general and his urban district in Dortmund (Nordstadt) in particular. He presents his own songs but I also can hear out known passages as Cranberries' Zombie in a refrain. Music is somewhat cheerful but with lyrics as cross as two sticks and sarky. Too bad that they are in the style: “What a rhyme - to me it's a crime!”. If you want to check him out, try his CD Bukowski Land, most of the songs came from this one. As for me… I’m not sure yet what to think about all this…

After a short break :: SCOTT KELLY :: came on “stage” got up his equipment, left, got announced and came back to start his one hour set. He acted shy and somewhat of lost in that huge nave. It was quiet as a mouse can be, while SCOTT KELLY tuned his guitar snuffling and complaining about his cold hands. Then it followed one hour of breathtaking music performance: Songs as dark and sad as anything else, enthralling and hauntingly beautiful. Now the gooseflesh wasn’t caused by the coldness. This atmosphere got even amplified by his deep and raspy voice that reminds me of Leonhard Cohen and Johnny Cash, and the acoustic you have a big church. It was really awesome! SCOTT KELLY played cover versions of Townes Van Zandt and Johnny Lee Hooker, as well as songs from his own album The Wake and one to date unreleased track of Shrinebuilder he played in a very spacy style with his E-guitar. It would have been great if he also played songs from Blood In Time, which would have perfectly suited the set here.
Way too fast this hour was over and SCOTT KELLY said goodbye as shy as he came on stage. All attendees tried it with applause but the door stayed closed and he did not come back for an encore. Me and everybody else left the church, deeply touched, and vanish into the night…

What a great and unique concert evening. I only can warmly recommend: go to one of these shows! And get yourself a copy of his solo albums Spirit Bound Flesh and The Wake, as well as the Blood And Time record At The Foot Of The Garden.