Newton Faulkner
Anson Rooms, Bristol
24 November 2007
By Graham MacLean
Newton Faulkner
Newton Faulkner is a charismatic and multi-talented young man. Other than possessing a crispy clean voice and the ability to create compelling sounds from his guitar, he even has a bigger ginger beard than your beloved reviewer! Jealousy aside, it is my duty to report the shenanigans that unfolded on a frosty Bristol night at the Anson Rooms where the nations newest dread-locked sensation provided the tunes, but not the booze.
Now, let's start from the beginning. I'm not what you would consider the biggest Newton Faulkner fanatic, but seeing as I made it to the venue in the chilly weather, it's only right to give the man a fair trial.
So, as it turns out, I arrive at the show and there isn't an empty space in the house. No surprise there, as Faulkner's chart-topping debut album Hand Built By Robots has created enough of a stir to see him play the festival circuit this past summer, along with selling out numerous shows across the UK.
Isolated in the giant, concrete, gymnasium-like hall that is the Anson Rooms, the sound is thunderous as Faulkner's bluesy and uplifting guitar playing ricochets from wall to wall. Mainly made up of cuddly couples and admiring females, the crowd are quite receptive to his in-between song banter, and are quickly eating out of his hand as they fall victim to his witty jokes and laid back storytelling.
Soon enough the folk and roots rock influenced tracks are flowing from his hand made acoustic guitar, with traces of reggae thrown in for good measure. When he jumps into crowd favourite and UK top ten hit Dream Catch Me, there is no shortage of karaoke stars amongst the audience, as they sing along with every melodic phrase.
The highlight of the night came when Faulkner paused to ask the audience 'Does anyone know if David Hasselhoff sang the theme to Baywatch?' before kicking into a fully-fledged (and almost identical) version of the legendary show's theme tune.
With the show running smoothly and the crowd delighted with their night's entertainment, Faulkner adds to their delight with a rendition of Massive Attack's Teardrop, his next single to be released in December.
Make of Newton Faulkner what you will; if you like your pristine, clean cut folk-rock that belongs in a Tom Hanks romantic comedy, than look no further. However, tonight he showed his strengths as an entertainer, and with the world at his feet, who knows what levels the young singer/songwriter will rise to.
Oh, and for those perfectionists out there, David Hasselhoff did write and sing the Baywatch theme tune. Legendary.
For more details about Newton Faulkner, including any forthcoming UK tour dates, see his page here on Ents24.
