JOHN & DAVID, TROUBADOUR GIG NOV 2006

Review: David and John the Troubadour 8th November 2006

New horizons.

When I go to a David gig I never know what to expect. This was a very poignant, emotional gig and a celebration of David and John’s collaborations. We were not to know until the last song that this was their last gig together for a while. They both seemed very, very happy – yet I am sure on reflection there were moments during the set when they must have thought of all the times on stage, their writing together and their close friendship. They both sang and played at their best, I’ve no idea what their futures hold, but I feel very positive. New horizons beckon for both for them.

They performed One Old Soul, Northern Lights, God or No God, Lady Lullaby, Time, White Noise.
When David starts to sing I get shivers inside, I’m entranced the entire set. They both performed a professional set with wonderful vocals, playing and songs. Johns’ backing vocals blend so well, his deeper baritone alongside David’s tenor voice.

I enjoyed the change of pace with Time, when two girls came to sit in front of the small stage. I hope David may add bass and drums sometime to give the set more texture.

David spoke about how he was back with some new songs and much he was enjoying these gigs and getting a good response.  
‘It’s great to be back, I’ll see what happens, and I’m making an EP.' He mentioned that his song Baby Get Higher was a big hit.

I am proud of the route David has chosen. He’s working hard writing, recording and doing gigs. At the moment recording his EP, which will be called White Noise.

John is off to the US
During White Noise, John moved close to David and I got some photos. I’d no idea what an emotional gig this would be, both very happy and sad. Before WN David announced. ‘After tonight my good friend John Kielty is off to America.' After the gig David said, ‘Thanks John.’

It’s odd how John adds himself to David’s music, it fits perfectly. I hope they spent a great few days together. They have something special on stage together, a rare musical connection. John adds himself yet understands David’s music so well.
‘Kielty the writing has been great, I always knew there was reason we were mates.’  For memories of David and John I have several pages on the David site – Lyrics, photos, and also on the Martians site.

John has entertained and inspired us all over the last few years. I wish him every success and hope he flies back often. I hope he loves it over there, but that his heart is always in Scotland. I send him a personal thanks.
It’s rare to find a musical connection like this and I know they will keep writing together. John is a stork in the water. He believes in hard work, patience and when the right fish comes along be ready to pounce. Best of luck John.

PS Just had a post from David saying they may do more gigs next year - maybe John will beam in from Mars! who knows they may even write that collaborative album online!
JOHN HAS INSPIRED DAVID'S WRITING & I AM SURE THEY WILL CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER.

**John is moving to a suburb of San Francisco on January 28th, He is playing Aladdin in panto at the Kings theatre in Glasgow.

*Postscript - In 2003, after David included John’s soulful Long Time Coming on his album Seven Years Ten Weeks. They continued writing together in 2004, and John sent David lyrics such as OAB and David came up with a perfect emotional melody. They collaborated on Hiding from Me. On STWs OK, Follow Me, Bluebird and Neverland are also David and John collaborations. In 2003 John went on tour with David’s band and shared his Penthouse flat. David and John started the Martians band together in 2001. They met doing a play, John was acting Juliet's father and David was Romeo. 'David got my daughter killed so I thought I'd be his mate!' After doing acoustic gigs at the Tron in Glasgow in 2001, they enjoyed the gigs so much they decided to start a band together and called themselves The Martians. Their music has lyrical harmonies and memorable melodies. They are a strong musical partnership, writing and performing together since starting the Martians in 2001.

As I arrive back in Glasgow the sun is low over the hazy varied skyline of the city and I hope I will see them perform again together and enrich each other’s music. There’s an autumn glow in the sky, it’s one of those fresh autumn days for walks over the fallen golden leaves. It’s a time of new beginnings.
-----------------------------------------

After the Gig:
David talked about going over to American to write with John and how travelling can inspire writers. How small Britain is. How when SLTL was number one here it seemed such a big deal, but seeing artists like Nate and others, and their success worldwide opens up new horizons.

David is working very hard and is busy recording. He was in high spirits and said he might have written his best ever song and that John was instantly impressed with it. He has a total of 4 songs doing really well world wide, one for a fairly big pop star in America. This takes any pressure off him and puts him a good place for the EP. He felt he performed really well at the Troubadour gig with no mistakes.