Scott Matthews - Is 'The Great Untold' in Bath

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Bath not as hot as it should be

Scott Matthewss *** has been making quite a name for himself over the years and has been widely recognised including winning an Ivor Novello award and they don’t hand those out unless you have some serious talent. Now touring his sixth album ‘The Great Untold’ he is back on the road as a solo artist having previously toured with a band, it seems to be a very personal album to him so he wants to share it himself.

You can tell it all means a lot to him as there is a lot of talk about his new child and the positive impact that has had on him. In fact the title track of the ‘Great Untold’ is in honour of his son, even if he does pull his hair. Possibly in the strange ways that careers go, shortly after a song about his new family is one that appeared in ‘Ugly Betty’ entitled ‘Eyes wider than Before’ (Series 2, Episode 10 for those that are interested).

It is an all seated affair tonight and with just Scott on stage it is very quiet, in fact you can hear people’s shoes squeak as they go to the bar or bathroom and makes for an odd atmosphere, in fact it almost like watching a gig in a library. Scott’s talents are unquestionable as an amazing guitarist and songwriter but I find this makes for an odd atmosphere, whilst no extra noise means it is all about his music, it also made it hard to tune into.

‘So Long My Moonlight’ is preceded by an element of a pub quiz whereby we discover Roy Orbison’s bassist toured with Nick Drake and is still a punk now. ‘Silence’ is perhaps ironically less silent than the rest of the gig as Scott is re-joined by the support act Ady Johnson and he is not the only guest as Jenna Jones joins him on fiddle for a couple of tracks including ‘As the Day Passes’. This adds an extra dimension and works well.

In fact I found the best tracks were when there was  bit more noise onstage, I appreciate this is a laid back acoustic event but as I said it just almost lacked atmosphere at time. I think it has more to do with the acoustics of the venue than anything to do with the performer and it would have worked in a more intimate space than the echo’s of an old but impressive cinema. I would like to see Scott Matthews again one day as I don’t feel (once again by no fault of his own) I have really seen the best of what I know he can offer.  

Review by Jon Cooper and Photo's by Steve Owen

Check Out! the video to 'Cinnamon' Below...