Javier at the Tin Angel 10/17/08

By Russ Starke on Oct 30, 2008 in Music

First, let me be clear about something – I am by no means an expert on contemporary R&B. It’s not that I don’t like it, just that when it comes to R&B and Soul, I tend to gravitate toward the classics. I guess that’s why I’ve always perked up when music by Javier has entered the shuffle around our house (we have a copy of both of his full-lengths), because while it is unmistakably contemporary (“neo-soul”, I’ve seen him labeled), there is a definite nod to those classics through some of his more organic tone choices and a valiant striving toward timeless song craft in what can be a very fast moving musical lane.

When we heard that Javier would be at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, a small and intimate acoustic venue in Old City, I was curious as to how his recordings would translate – and what the approach would be. Drum machines? Backing tracks?

When Javier walked on stage with a MacBook in hand – I thought I had him figured out. Not by a long shot. I expected a fun night of good music – I didn’t expect to be completely won over the way I ended up being, literally imploring him at the end of the show to release a stripped down album akin to what we had seen that night because I was sure it would knock people to their knees in the same way that they must have been the first time they heard Keb Mo’s “Every Morning”. His albums are fantastic, don’t get me wrong – but seeing this guy live is essential to understanding the true depth of his talent, which is perhaps still just a tad under the radar.

First of all, it goes without saying that he is a phenomenal vocalist – his albums clearly capture that. He’s definitely a showman (albeit a low-key and grounded one), but for all of those American Idols who attempt to drench every note with by-the-numbers arpeggios and trills – Javier is an example of what soulful embellishment can sound like when done tastefully and appropriately. He is, after all, following in the tradition of the great soul singers – all of whom knew how to reinterpret a song in this way and drag the emotion out of it, kicking and screaming.

However, I was in no way prepared for the phenomenal guitar playing – not only was it technically impressive; it was completely second nature. He effortlessly went from soulful ballads, to re-workings of his better known tunes, to classically inspired guitar instrumentals, and treated us to a few covers as well – including an absolutely incredible cover of Collin Raye’s “Love, Me” that surprisingly left me with a lump in my throat (that was the first of two times – the second was on Javier’s own “OK, Here’s The Truth” – a surprisingly catchy tune for how completely devastating it is…brilliant).

He also revealed his love of James Taylor with two somewhat obscure covers by “JT”. In response, someone from the audience said “what, Justin Timberlake?” And this is where things really got interesting…Javier sort of smiled and zoned out for a few short moments, strumming a few chords…and then broke into a note-for-note perfect (actually, better than the original) take on “Cry Me A River”. In case you don’t know, there aren’t a lot of people who can do that in the “popular music” world. I know many artists who can’t even remember how to play their own songs if they haven’t practiced them for the upcoming show – but Javier is a throwback to the musicians of the early part of the 20^th century – those guys for whom music was a language that they could just inhabit and command at the drop of a hat. This was in further evidence when fans were shouting out songs that he hadn’t played any time recently (in a few cases, ever), and with three or four strums, he’d be off – sounding 100% rehearsed.

But there’s one other aspect to this artist – he’s a really down to earth guy with a great sense of humor. After that “JT” cover, he was joking with the audience about the music in commercials, and as audience members shouted out jingles, he deftly started playing them – who would have ever thought the Juicy Fruit theme could sound so cool?

Oh, and that laptop? He used it to show us some videos he had shot of his baby girl laughing as he played peek-a-boo with her – the whole audience infected by the giggling. Boy, was I wrong.

An intimate evening with a true class act – I rarely have as much fun as when I’m watching someone I consider a “virtuoso”. Anyone can sing, but not like this. Anyone can strum three chords, but his fluid playing and jazzy arrangements are something else entirely…the kind of thing that I hope inspires a new generation to continue the endangered tradition of true musicianship. I have little doubt that all it will take is Javier being in the right place at the right time, and being able to see him at the Tin Angel will be a thing of the past. Keep an eye out, and do not miss him when he is in town.

Visit Javier's Website