Jeff Martin and the Armada @Jive, Adelaide (27/11/09)

Sun 29th Nov, 2009 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

Mick Hart opened up proceedings with a solid set of acoustic blusey/rootsy songs which were well-received by the crowd. Mick seems the unassuming, bloke-next-door type who we’d certainly buy a beer for if we ever had the opportunity (and he can hold us up to that!)—and his stories regarding his songs were hugely entertaining. As mentioned, the crowd lapped it up, and Mick put on a great performance.

Unfortunately very few can hold a candle to the experience which is Jeff Martin in full flight, even at the VERY un-rock start time of 9:30pm (when one can still taste their toothpaste), Jeff Martin and the Armada walked out onstage and went straight into Morocco, which sounded amazing from the first note. We consider ourselves very lucky to have seen Jeff and co twice now at Jive, as this cosy little venue is perfect for seeing performers in a more intimate environment.

The sound was immaculate; crystal clear and huge. The stage looked great too, after a little redecoration (at the hands of Jive or of The Armada we’re not sure). Matt Hills even lent a hand, providing some nifty lighting. The Armada followed up Morocco with The Bazaar, mesmerising the whole audience with their incredible musicianship and charismatic personalities.

A rhythm section that takes the time to cuddle mid-encore is a tight rhythm section, and Wayne Sheehy (this time with an _un_broken toe) was an absolute crazyman on the drums. Bass player Jay Cortez (who didn’t come on the last tour) filled out the sound nicely, and provided the groove. Seriously. We’ve never seen a more relaxed looking bass player. Mick Hart even came up in the encore of Black Snake Blues to add some harmonica, and appeared to enjoy himself immensely.

One particularly tender moment was the brief interlude where the band broke into a cover of the Johnny Cash cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt. Although it felt a little weird hearing a cover of a cover, the sincerity and emotion Jeff displayed during this rendition blew away any such feelings the second he opened his mouth to sing. The set consisted (as it did last time) of a collection of Armada and The Tea Party songs, with the Tea Party songs getting a only a slightly louder crowd response. The Armada’s songs stack up against anything Jeff Martin has written previously, and his statement that the Armada “will become one of the worlds biggest bands” or something similiar, although a little cringe-worthy, have a sense of prophecy to them.

Adelaide loves Jeff Martin because every time he drops by he assures us we’re his special and only one. The Armada put their all into every gig, ensuing they will be welcomed back with open arms each and every tour. We swear to god that Jeff’s shirt steadily unbuttons itself throughout the gig, and following what can only be described as the making of sweet, tantric love on a New Order cover, the Shirt Phenomenon (as it has come to be known) was hardly surprising, really. He played the next night at Jive too, and that was sold out. Let’s hope our eager attendance means they’ll be back to visit again soon.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.