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"As long as one person lives in darkness then it seems to be a responsibility to tell other people," said the late great Bill Hicks. Always bringing a brutal, immediate light to the human condition is undoubtedly one of his endearing achievements not lost on artists and fans alike worldwide as noted repeatedly this night by Cardiff-born singer Jem whose unabashed adoration of this often overlooked comedic genius came full circle in her unfiltered dispensation of her own non-fiction. As an indirect mouthpiece of Hicks, Jem effortlessly leads her American-bred 4-piece in their inaugural ride of intimacy as her contemporary Rachael Yamagata did so months earlier. Just as Rachael, from start to finish, Jem's ease and trust in her band mates quickly enamors all present. Her longtime collaborator Ross Grant (guitar) alongside Bram Inscore (bass), Marshall Thompson (keys/guitar) and recent addition Tim McGregor (drums) get all cylinders firing in full for a 12 stop ride, pulled chiefly from their chart-rising debut 'Finally Woken' (2004). Swiftly, this overseas wakeup call rings resolutely. With her band striding on stage, Jem emerges from the shadows moments later, gliding across like a pixie to the front and center with her brimming, infectious smile shining-brightly as the breezy bouncy loops of their opening track "Come On Closer" starts. Almost instantly, barriers drop wholesale. Aided by her following noble, uncertain crack at Japanese, the once stark faces inside soften. Building upon this welcomed thaw, they collectively dive straight into the funk in their sustaining hit single "Save Me" sand then silkily into the lulling vocal coatings of "Finally Woken," a track perhaps touched by the Avalanches' as it happily grows incessantly in your head. With their obvious confidence, undoubtedly gained from their recent performance at the Sasquatch Music Festival last month, headlined by The Pixies. In preparation for their first Glastonbury run on the John Peel Stage later this month as well as a touring invite from Dave Matthews himself, Jem and her band find themselves more courageous as the night progresses. Whether improvising within their own rousing showcase finish to Stevie Wonder's "Masterblaster (Jammin')" or dispensing a clap-inducing ode of total reassurance to Hicks himself in "Just A Ride," Jem, Ross, Bram, Marshall and Tim bring a soothing, yet joyous calm. The pumping, surging walk of "They" puts this vehicle in park with all passengers smiling satisfyingly in the quiet interiors. Bill Hicks had written for his memorial service, "Wherever truth, love and laughter abide, I am there in spirit." And as the house lights came on with The Pixies' "Wave Of Mutilation" playing, you just had to know his spirit in the sky was there as an honest, easy, peaceful feeling ran replete on all faces inside as they ironically spilled onto the scattered, burgeoning, neon-lit streets of Tokyo. |
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report by michael |
 mag files : JEM Alive And Kicking...Wales' Latest Chanteuse Unfurls Her Disarming Reassurances (05/06/07 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by michael |
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The official site
JEM www.jem-music.net related sites www.atorecords.com www.bmgjapan.com www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk www.billhickss.com www.steviewonder.net |
The latest album "Finally Woken" ( US import / 国内盤 / UK import ) check the albums? |
 2005A Final Episode More Than Satisfying... Boom Boom Satellites' Latest Reality Of Elevating Pleasures : Jack Johnson w/G.Love & Special Sauce (25th May. '05 @ Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball)A Final Episode More Than Satisfying... Boom Boom Satellites' Latest Reality Of Elevating Pleasures : Boom Boom Satellites (19th May. '05 @ Shibuya AX)A Global-A-Go-Go Tune-Up In Effervescence For A Slightly Slimmed Down 26-Piece Shibusa Shirazu : Shibusa Shirazu (13th Apr. '05 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe)An Ongoing 8 Year-Old Reality Of Superfluous Elevating Pleasures... Boom Boom Satellites Christen Their Latest Most Welcomed Hedonistic Chapter : Boom Boom Satelites (7th Apr. '05 @ Ebisu Liquidroom)A 10 Plus Year Gestation Of International Minor Threats Collectively Hit Tokyo : The Dillinger Escape Plan with Melt-Banana and EMOK (10th Mar. '05 @ Shinjuku Loft) Filthy, Gorgeous And Utterly Magnifique In An Most Aptly Titled Venue... : Scissor Sisters (25th Feb. '05 @ Daikanyama Unit)An Inaugural Tokyo Come Together For Now And Forever... : The Delgados with Autour de Lucie(16th Feb. '05 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Another Day, Another Earned... : Hatebreed (12th Feb. '05 @ Daikanyama Unit)You Can't Stop Thinking About Her...
: Rachael Yamagata (31st Jan. '05 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)2004Third Time More Than The Charm Elvis & His Imposters Walk Freely As A Local City-Smashing Legend Would : Elvis Costello (14th Dec. '04 @ Tokyo Koseinenkin Kaikan)FREEWHEELIN' IN THE EAST : Cat Power and Women & Children (2nd Jun. '04 @ Shinjuku Loft)Breaking From The Mold Of Bouncing Souls amp; Goldfinger : MEST and GOB (20th Jan. '04 @ Shibuya AX)2003An Easy Peaceful Feeling Made Possible In Central Tokyo : String Cheese Incident (13th Apr @ Shibuya AX)True Seafarers: Vast, Vibrant And Everpresent As Their Name Befits Are The Coral : The Coral (20th Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)Far From Lost Is This Enchanted Wizard Of Rhythm : BECK (1st Apr @ Nihon Budokan)no title : Johnny Marr amp; The Healers (1st Mar @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Sonic Youth with Metalchicks (18th Feb @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : The Parkinsons with Beehive, Wakusei, and Jig Head (20th Jan @ Shinjuku Loft)no title : The Jeevas (14th Jan @ Shibuya AX) |