Live: Pete Molinari
Posted on January 23rd, 2012 by folkandtumble
Venue: The Black Box, Belfast
Date: 20/01/12
A victory wrestled from the jaws of defeat… – Anonymous Punter
When Pete Molinari takes centre stage in Belfast it’s a rather unnerving trainwreck of a start. There are reportedly issues with guitar tunings, guitar setups, the on-stage sound and at first he sits rather sulkily, finger-picking his way through a number of acoustic openers.
© Gerry McNally Photography
It’s a jarring contrast to the affable Guthrie-esque folk of support act
Jonny Black. Usually he drives the LaFaro juggernaught full of big dirty riffs and angry Kurt Cobain sneers but tonight he’s taken control of an old west railcar and we’re all happily onboard for a more gentile journey down the tracks.
English-born Molinari picks up where Black leaves off, indeed eventually settling on playing the same guitar after looking for all the world like he’d be beaten down by technicalities and left reeling on the stage like a punch drunk cowboy brawler.
© Gerry McNally Photography
When finally joined on stage by The Supershakers, there’s a stark change in mood. It’s like Dylan going electric only this time the audience are audibly relieved, thankful and enjoying the experience. Tracks from 2010 album ‘A Train Bound For Glory’ go down well. His Nashville inspired drawl suits the feel of the room and finally this is a show on the up. Molinari is making his last stand in a shootout with his own technical demons and winning.
The crowd have been suitably won over and as the temperature both metaphorically and literally rises we’re treated to a set of country standards. The spirit of Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings is moving in the room, Molinari, the eccentric Englishman is firing forth the old sermons of old and finally, finally seems to be preaching to the converted!