The Jones O’Connor Group - Sunday 21 January
The unusually high level of empathy between the four players in this creative and talented team was evident right from the opening bars. The Jones O’Connor Group went on to play two exciting sets of original music from their album Alpha (available from the band's website).
Paul Jones on keyboards possesses a very light and melodic touch - his playing is fresh and articulate, and his use of synthesised sounds were very effective. Richard Jones (electric guitar) also displayed faultless technique and great awareness in his well constructed solos. The group’s original material is very cleverly put together - the melodies were very beautiful and pleasing to the ear and the use of guitar and keyboard playing in and out of unison was very effective.
Chris O’Connor (double bass) added another dimension, delivering pulsating riffs with precise accuracy. His solos were strong and his use of crescendo enhanced the overall effect. The drumming skills of brother Mark O’Connor were, in a word, amazing. He has what they call in the trade ‘Big Ears’ - listening constantly to the other players, pushing and supporting them with an array of polyrhythms and never compromising.
The Jones O’Connor Group are a no frills outfit - what you get is exactly ‘What it says on the label’.
Chris & Mark O'Connor and Richard Jones will be playing at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny on Wednesday 14 March as part of Os Sambistas - a toe-tapping celebration of Brazilian music featuring some of the most loved tunes from arguably the richest musical heritage on the planet. The band also features Abergavennny musician and actor Lucy Rivers on violin.
© Peter Scaddan 2007
