Chorus Of Arrows / Tom Reeve

Local lad Tom Reeves’ is opening tonight for Chorus of Arrows, the collaboration actually billed as Nina Violet, Colin William Ruel, Matthew Cullen and Sam Mason.

Young Tom mixes elements of blues, country the shouting to make his blend of solo folk. His is a mutli-talented and busy performer, spreading his musical seed as drummer in Skylights and bassist in the Young Believers. Phew.

'Passport To Paradise', with it's take on "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" is a great song, even if he does sound like a male Kate Nash (how do you get a cockney accent living in York?). He is completely at ease with the crowd, though to be fair this is one of his locals.



On a downside there’s points where, after a few false starts, Tom's fingers seem to take off without him, resulting in a tempo that’s hard to grasp. The fast punchy vocals are suited more to indie songs; I can just imagine some smartly dressed kids with big hair behind him swaying their knees looking 'cool'. Nonetheless Tom’s guitar playing is amazingly complicated; strumming intricate melodies effortlessly. (Do I sound jealous?! You got it!).

Having travelled to the UK from Martha's Vineyard in the US, this small group of friends called the Chorus of Arrows have combined a small venue tour with a house tour (I know, as they played at my house last week).



Those of you who checked out Willy Mason on his tour last year will recognise three of the four members; violist/guitarist Nina Violet, guitarist Colin William Ruel and drummer and younger brother Sam Mason. Joined by bassist Matthew Cullen these childhood friends exude talent; you get the feeling they were born to perform music. Their close bond shines throughout the set, and this, their first venue stop of the tour, sees them more relaxed than I witnessed at my house (though you have to take jetlag into account, as that was their first UK house show).

Confident and chatty from the beginning, the foursome are really tight in their musicianship, with no mistakes, and tuneful vocals that draw you in. Whether it’s Colin's softly sung melodies or Nina's broad range of vocals, you're hooked on their sound. It doesn’t matter whether they’re thrashing their overly distorted guitars, or playing solo acoustic songs, it really hits you.

The setting, down here in the basement of the City Screen Picturehouse, is the perfect setting, complete with tables and candles; quite intimate. A little more space for dancing would have not gone a miss, as some of the crowd members start dancing anywhere they can towards the end.

Both Nina and Colin have songs of their own, as well as the COA collaborations, which we get to witness tonight along with "songs from the new record that hasn't been recorded yet!" Sam and Matthew are quite shy onstage, Matthew sitting down for a lot of the set (as the tour driver I don't blame him) and Sam staring to the side, seemingly in his own little world.



Colin's vocals are haunting on songs like 'Strength of A Woman' and 'Tiny Little Blue', with a whispered delivery. You can feel the emotion in Nina’s voice (speaking for all people who have ended a relationship in as nice a way as possible) in 'Better Than To Bruise You'. People are literally transfixed at this point.



The show is full of feeling; when Colin's string breaks in the first chord of a song, Nina enlists a member of the crowd to tell a joke. The result is two of the worst jokes I have ever heard; I am not wasting my typing hands repeating them. Colin's joke ("Why is the polar bear not married? Because he hasn't found the white bear yet!") is a little more like it. To the guy who thought he was funny; there’s nothing wrong with bad taste but come on.

There are heavy, rock-like even moments with 'Willow Tree', and upbeat moments like The Dog Tomorrow', with it's 'Dedicated Follower Of Fashion' style drum fill. Nina alternates between playing the guitar (for solo's 'Yellow Flash' and 'Slow Me Down') and viola ('Painted On The Sky).



With no record label these guys are funding themselves, and mention that they are relying on the sale of CDs to pay for the next meal, as the tour van has drank their savings. No worries though, as plenty of people here tonight buy the home-made CDs. Each one is different; the addition of songs names would have been nice (though the George W. Bush playing card in the envelope is a treat). It's just another draw of this band; the effort they put in that is pleasing to everyone.

Fans of Willy Mason will already love this I guarantee, but it's clear to see that Martha's Vineyard has some exceptionally talented musicians which remain unearthed. I am glad for the opportunity to have let them perform in my living room, and tonight I am off again to see them in another house show in York, run by professionals houseconcertsyork (on myspace). Venues had better watch out, as this thing is on the increase. Where else can you watch a band really up close and personal, have your own cheap beer and (if it's your thing) smoke inside?

Setlist:
Slow Me Down
Tiny Seeds
Tiny Little Blue
Strength of A Woman
Body-Home
The Dog Tomorrow
Burn The Bridge
Better Than To Bruise You
Can’t Carry the Weight
Six Bullets
Banged-Up
Locust
Painted On The Sky
My Brother
Singing Glass Beach
Sleep Tonight
The Girl I Love
You Better Leave
Willow Tree
Yellow Flash

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.