Tom James in Bern

Ok, yes, autumn got its good sides: On Sunday evening sitting at Musigbistrot Bern, nicely in the warmth with cosy scarf with dimmed light in the corner, still the taste of the starsbucks coffee on the togue – and with it the music of Tom James! Good that there was a table to hold on to, I probably would have dropped off the chair with the first song already. I did only know 1 song from youtube, and live it’s even a lot better.

Usually Musigbistrot isn’t open on sundays, but for Tom James they made an expectation. After all he’s been there for the second time already. I didn’t really know him so far, his booker told me about him ages ago. He’s a British musician from Cornwall, who with 22 years was already seen as guitare virtuoso and had played the most important UK festivals. I only had heard this one song on youtube, “Blood To Gold”. The song belongs to the ones, that emotionally touch you very much, so you just feel like crying. Well, in a positive sense, like “Let It All Go” by Birdy feat. Rhodes or “Wildfire” by Seafret. Just so incredibly beautiful! And now it finally worked out with a concert visit.

More visitors came than expected, the small concert location was jam-packed. My “arriving 1 hour before concert start” rule proofed itself again. Well, I didn’t consider that I might sit too close because of the drums. But it wasn’t bad at all and the sound in my conrner was alright too. Long Tall Jefferson opened the evneing. Swiss musician Simon Borer, who you will also meet as guitare player of Pablo Nouvelle, is telling his stories through songs with his accoustic guitare and harmonica: About a woman from Manchester, he had a crush on, but was suddendly gone when he returned. About everyone having bad days and this being ok. But he’s also singing about very meantingful and deep themes like war and refugees in the past and today. He won’t become one of my favourites, but it was alright. All the songs you can find on his album “I Want My Honey Back”.

After a short changing break Tom James sat down on stage with his accoustic guitare and started playing the first song. He didn’t just sit down and played his guitare like we know it and expect it. No, he laid it down flat on his lap, plucking the strings, using the guitare torso as drums at the same time. He created incredible resonances. And then together with the singing, his wonderful raspy voice, first he made me breathless. Beautiful! After a few songs drummer Jens joined him and everything got more pep. Tom grabbed the e-guitare then.

And while I’ve been sitting there, listening to them, I realised at some point how unusually quite the audience was and how closely everyone was listening. Well, there are sure always expectations, but you generally could have heard a pin drop. The whole atmosphere was enchanting! Both musician felt the silence a bit irritating though, as Jens told me after the concert. They just didn’t know how to asses this extrem silence. I claim throughout positive! The audience simply enjoyed Sunday evening with them and their songs – own ones as covers like the one by Bonnie Raitt (Honestly I didn’t know who Bonnie Raitt was). There were some laughs inbetween too. When Tom told about experiences, tried to speak German as good as possible, singled out some technical flaws and misfortunes or tried telling jokes. And in the end they were applauded for another two encores. That wouldn’t have happened if the audience hadn’t liked it. As for me, they could have continued playing for hours. However, I still would have had some time.

I got his album – “Blood To Gold Deluxe Edition” – and kept agonizing on my way home, wheter the concert on the following Wednesday was going to be possible to attend. I just loved it soo much… make sure to have a listen!

Long Tall Jefferson
Tom James