That Buzzing Sound: Showcase: James Morrison & HoneyHoney @ The Avalon (05/03/12)

Become a slave to the music, like I did last Thursday night at The Avalon, #afterthebreak…

James Morrison at the Avalon Hollywood

Special Guests: HoneyHoney

05/03/12

Three Word Review: Imported Soul Dynamite.

(re-edited: 11/11/2023)

Backstory:

I fell in love with the music of James Morrison in the most random place — a family owned laundromat in Nice, France. Remember it vividly. It was a sunny day in the city…spending a few hours cleaning my gear. A hour went by and then I heard it: “You Give Me Something“, blasting off the chipped tile walls from a ragged rundown radio. When I first heard it stateside, wasn’t really a fan. Took being home sick a world away for it to imprint on my soul. Now, forever apart of that 2007 soundtrack with fellow B4M Event alums.

This was one of the reasons why the $20 ticket price wasn’t hard decision for me to make. Knew what I getting into– little bit of rock, body snatching grooves. a tragic love song or two, and most importantly raw British soul filtered through a ‘lion’. Or how I refer to it…”music that makes women want to fuck”.

Concert Highlights:

This was my first show at the decadent Avalon Hollywood. A staple of Hollywood’s history with a textbook of transformations. It’s located on Vine, right above Hollywood Blvd … directly in front of Capitol Records. It’s just one of those secret hideaways that you drive by — on route to work, to your favorite bar, The Palladium, The Fonda, Acrlight with it’s Cinerama dome, Amoeba, etc — that you probably didn’t think twice about. To know this gem was just sitting there became such a shock as I traversed it dark vintage hallways. With decent drinks, high class feel, great lighting, and two prime floors made for audiences there was nothing to complain about.

Opening was the duo of guitarist Ben Jaffe & vocalist/actress Suzanne Santo, a northeast fusion better known as “HoneyHoney“. They were discovered by Keifer Sutherland’s “Ironworks Music” a few years back and have opened for other big indie poppers like Lifehouse, Christina Perri, and most recently featured at this year’s Coachella Music Festival where they gardened a huge amount of buzz. Which makes sense after seeing them “kill it” live.

In describing their sound, it’s kind of hard. Like to compare them to more upbeat country fried She & Him, equipped with The Band Perry‘s tools of the trade — fiddle, drums, banjo, electric guitar, and angelic voice. It’s a formula that works and blends the line between all known genres. A hard equation to pull off. And seeing it mesh live was by far the most memorable moment of the night because had some doubts after my initial morning listening session…didn’t know which way their set was going to go.

Was predicting a dark and slow drab but instead we got this high tempo–foot stamping–banjo picking–fiddle hymning– raw masterpiece of folk & pop that no one in the Avalon could resist. A magical moment that had me saying “Holy Fuck” after each of their nine performances. My two favorites were “Thin Line” & their cover of Bill Withers‘ cover of “Grandma’s Hand“. Got chills during each.

Ultimately, you need to see this band kill it live. If you can’t…their second LP — Billy Jack — is out now! It captures their unique refreshing sound beautifully. Picked it up over the weekend and it’s taking me to a new fantastical dreary country place…much like Barton Hollow.

James Morrison came strutting onstage next, greeted by mammoth applause and feminine howls from the jam packed Avalon. [We wanted those other Brits over at ‘the bowl’ to know there was a better party going on a few blocks away.] He was minus his guitar while rapping his uplifting ‘Awakening‘ track — Beautiful Life. This began the 16 well paced / calculated set list which featured more from Mr. Morrison‘s The Awakening with a collection of greatest hits.

All my favorites were there: One Life, You Give Me Something, This Boy, I Won’t Let You Go, and Broken Strings. Was blown away by his acoustic rendition of Broken Strings. Even more heartbreaking rocked solo with the key dropped down a level, milking every note. It was one of my favorite performances of the year so far. I was content having it as a IPod gem, but now whenever I play it…I’ll think of this showcase.

Were their any surprises? Not really. There were expected moments of chit chat between us and James. The most memorable being his intro to Slave to the Music, recalling a dream like conversation with the late Michael Jackson about pop music. Yes, it included a British MJ impression. Was it followed by a judgmental look? Actually, it was. (lol) The only other highlight was James’ back up singer filling the shoes of Jessie J‘s verse from “Up“. Turned out beautifully I’d say.

By the end of the showcase, I had been force to submit to a ‘slave’ of the music. Becoming one myself till the end of the show. This unknown zombie mesmerized and seduced me with her flesh using James‘ music to fuel her engine. Powerless, I was. For the minute we joined…time stopped. Swallowed by melody. Can’t even remember the other faces around us. And just as quickly as it begun, we parted ways without names or numbers.

Thus ended another showcase. By far, the strangest thing I had ever experience at a concert. Guess I owe Mr. Morrison and his sexy-vibing-soul sound for driving women crazy. Ladies & Gents, you’ve been warned! Beware James Morrison. For he might make a slave out of you too.

Big thanks to James Morrison, Suzanne Santo & Ben Jaffe, and The Avalon. The media below are our gifts to you! Big sorry for typos!

-J
Bored 4 Music

HoneyHoney

Set List:

“song lyric” = what I think the song was called. (probably wayyy off)