Samuel Flynn Scott - San Franciso Bathhouse 14-04-2007
14 Apr 2007 // A review by johnsoncraigsbc
A collaboration of two of New Zealand’s finest songwriters made for a night of rugby jokes, charm less humour, and an array of songs which were destined to be worshiped religiously. Samuel Flynn Scott and Lawrence Arabia combined their sets to create one large, long set filled with both of their song writing goodness.
Samuel Flynn Scott still has the withdrawn sort of arrogance that is present at all his shows, so to avoid making his head any bigger all I’ll say is this. The moment at which he let loose on 'It’s A Fact' was great. The moment at which he covered Bob Dylan's 'North Country Girl' was even better. His vocal intensity is scarce, but majestic when let out. Word.
I am now going to relate Lawrence Arabia directly to Jesus Christ. So here it is. Lawrence Arabia is Jesus Christ. His subtly intense persona was awe inspiring. I’m sure he could’ve walked on water if he wanted to after that gig. I love this guy. I’ve been healed, healed from bad music. He is a totally unique, talented musician, which I can see being worshipped in the halls of fame along side the likes of Bob Dylan and John Lennon.
The drummer either has a gradually increasing hearing problem or changes his mind a lot. Although he is really very good at what he does, and his vocal backups are the best in the business, he talks far too much and becomes rather irritating.
This tour is going down in history. One day I will look back on this tour, along with all the books and documentaries that will be made about it, and be able to say I was there when Samuel combined with Arabia and made rock n roll history.
Craig Johnson
About Samuel Flynn Scott
It so happened that in 2004, Samuel Flynn Scott had crafted a handful of songs that did not quite fit the mould of The Phoenix Foundation, the popular Wellington-based rock band. "I was writing a whole lot of material that seemed a bit folksy for The Phoenix Foundation," says Scott. "Also, I was listening to a lot of improvised and angular music and somehow wanted to combine those elements into one project."
In order to do justice to this haunting new material, Scott formed a new band called Bunnies on Ponies. After playing at Wellington’s Matterhorn Bar, Mikee Tucker of Loop Recordings, who suggested that Loop finance an album of Scott's solo songs.
The recording ensemble included Tom Callwood (a double bass player who was integral in the development of the music), engineer Brett Stanton, producer and banjo player David Long and a succession of drummers: Craig Terris (Cassette), Riki Gooch (TrinityRoots) and Mike Fabulous (The Black Seeds, Bunnies On Ponies, Lord Echo).
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Samuel Flynn Scott