Review: Singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph inspires at Galeri Caernarfon

Nov 25 2008

SUNDAY evening at Galeri and an opportunity to enjoy the inspiring talents of Martyn Joseph who many consider Wales’s leading singer songwriter and he didn’t disappoint, writes MARTIN EAGLESTONE.

Currently touring with a new CD called Evolved, the show reflected the musical, poetic, artistic and spiritual journey that Joseph has taken over many years.

The set often reflects Martyn’s long-standing work with the poet Stewart Henderson and the crafting of words and music reflect that long-term creativity – but the live experience is uniquely Martyn Joseph.

Having now produced 30 CDs which has seen Joseph build an appreciative audience who know they’re in the telling of a story, the expression of an emotion and the passionate delivery of ideas that each concert has a unique value.

It draws them in to sing, laugh and cry.

The focus of the concert was the reworking of a number of older numbers such as Cardiff Bay, Strange Way, Dic Penderyn along with songs from more recent CDs including Vegas, Proud Valley Boy and Can’t Breathe.

So Joseph led us through stories of Paul Robeson visiting Wales, Aberfan, the struggle of the miners, a taxi driver in Las Vegas, even working with Shirley Bassey – all experiences set in an artist with Welsh roots, but who has a global perspective on social justice.

Galeri was created to provide us with this sort of opportunity and our challenge is to make sure enough people turn up to share the live experience of artists like Joseph.