About five years ago I was sitting a small bar on the South Coast of Barbados called Surfers Bay. It was a quiet night, not many people at the bar besides me, my dad and a few locals. After a few rounds of Banks Beer (Local Barbados beer... so dank), I started paying attention to the music playing. It sounded great so I asked the owner of the bar, also the bartender at the time, who he was playing and he replied "Martin Harley". I wrote it down and proceeded to enjoy ice cold banks and music.
Once I arrived back into the states the first thing I did was buy Martin Harley's albums on Itunes. For the last five years I have been listening to Martin Harley and have grown to love his music. His bluesy slide-guitar playing and soulful voice has always reminded me of that one night at Surfers Bay. Martin Harley's music has become the go-to whenever I am looking for peace.
This past New Years, my Dad decided that we spend the turn of the new year at that very same bar where we first heard Martin Harley, Surfers Bay. We arrived around 10 o'lock, and expecting to see some generic cover band play at 11, we grabbed a round of Banks and sat at a table in the far corner. Reggae had been playing since we arrived, and at around 10:30 the music cut and we heard some one over the PA mumble their name that kind of sounded like Martin Harley. I looked at my dad and immediately rushed over to the small make-shift stage they set up to see Martin Harley tuning his guitar. I was sooo stoked, I had heard several times that Harley plays shows at Surfers Bay but for him to play for New Years, and for it to be a surprise was one of the best presents anyone could have given me.
Only playing 6 songs, Harley played tunes from his self-entitled album as well as his most recently released album, "Grow Your Own", an album Harley recorded with his band. The short lived set, approx. 30 minutes, was incredible. His guitar playing blows my mind, I don't know if i have ever heard some one play Acoustic lap slide guitar as well as he does. His voice is even more soulful live as well, and he wasn't afraid to belt it. Playing for only 50 odd people, Martin could not have seemed to enjoy playing more.
After the show I approached Martin and told him how much of a fan I was. He was so stoked to be playing and to be back in Barbados. He told me that his flight from the UK just got in and his decision to play was last-minute. He could not have been more appreciative of my words. The conversation ended with him telling me that he was going to get "Proper Drunk".
The show was definitely the highlight of my New Years if not my trip. It was one of the better concerts I have seen in a while, and it was great to meet him after. If you guys have not heard of him and you like bluesy acoustic music, you should definitly check him out. Below is the setlist as well as links to his websites, and be sure to check out his new album coming out this spring 2010.
***Pictures from the show to come soon!!***
Setlist:
1.) One For The Road
2.) When I Go
3.) Nobodies Fault But Mine
4.) Blues At My Window...Slight Return
5.) Chocolate Jesus
6.) Can't Help Moving (Encore)
Martin Harley Band - Myspace
Martin Harley Band Official Website
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