I seriously thought this man was another gimmick, or some prank like the, Da Ali G Show, where he took himself completely serious, but only to the effect of everyone else busting their balls laughing at him. So, when I was assigned this article, I pretty much reacted the same way I did after I saw the Dresden Dolls, disgust, horror, shocked that the invisible man in the sky really did hate me.
But, what I saw at his show, was no amateur musician, or even a man with a shallow pipe dream, and what really made me respect the opinion of, Perry Ferrell. While, I did not catch the beginning of the show, I sure as hell stayed until the end. Beat boxing, rhyme skills, hell the man can sing. It was the kind of performance, that wets reviewers between the legs, because we really don't like to burn the artists like a couple of witches in Salem, but god damnit, I've got integrity that I haven't sold yet.
Anyway, it was simply just remarkable how good the dude's show was. It was hip-hop, but actual songs, that follow an actual song structure! That really doesn't happen anymore! Forgive my giddiness, but fresh air was breathed into my lungs after I left his presence. He was jumping around, rapping to the beat on time still, and even did a real fuckin cool beat with his mouth, that a guitar accompanied with a creepy Latin tinged chord progression.
His music is reggae/hip-hop fusion, with what seems like maybe some classic Jewish influences in there, because it definitely had a mid eastern feel to it. Matisyahu, had an entire band to back him, that he exchanged with like a seasoned pro, jumping up and down with his bass player, and even climbing onto his drummer to get a better vantage point to see the crowd, pumping his fists in excitement, because he knew he had us, he knew it by the pulsing of the crowd clamoring to get to the stage. He knew it, by over half the audience singing with him every single one of his songs. He knew it, because, he's good, and it's happened to him before.
It looked like at least a few thousand people showed up to see him, and after I browsed through the Virgin record store later that evening, that was available on the premises, all of his cd's were gone into the hands of brand new fans. When, Matisyahu comes back, I'll be the first in line to catch him. He's what it's about. He's the rock star that every "American Idol" hopeful should watch to really know what it is to rock a crowd.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
