~ Reviews ~
"Multi-instrumentalist John Joe Murray, known as The Worrisome Ankle Trout is steeped in the tradition and also completely unique. He demonstrates deft skills and distinctive sounds from any of the instruments he adds to his live looping. This is not the world of self indulgent soundscapes however as the tunes are finely crafted and wind towards equally accomplished vocal passages delivered in fine voice with a concoction of vivid lyrics addressing both the comic and political with mature articulation and emotional force.
Murray is also keenly aware of his all round performance and is impossible to take your eyes away from; part jaw dropping musical intelligence part wild eyed hedge dweller he controls the stage with menace, focus and a repertoire of incomprehensible moves and facial expressions. Between numbers he shows great humility and a gift for surreal humour. A joy to listen to and watch."
Murray is also keenly aware of his all round performance and is impossible to take your eyes away from; part jaw dropping musical intelligence part wild eyed hedge dweller he controls the stage with menace, focus and a repertoire of incomprehensible moves and facial expressions. Between numbers he shows great humility and a gift for surreal humour. A joy to listen to and watch."
- Edward Jones, July 2009
Damo Suzuki (Marrs Bar Saturday 18/7/9)
I went to this gig not expecting miracles as I'd already been told that the legendary Can front man would not be playing any Can songs, so no 'Mother Sky' or 'Oh Yeah' then and that he would instead be doing an improvised jam with some invited Worcester musicians, so it all pointed to a potential hit or miss affair.So Damo starts singing or more like channeling something from another cosmic plane and the Dudes Of Neptune take his lead and soon start to pick out an impeccable groove, then it really starts to lift off with some fantastic drumming from Ed Steelefox who truly looks possessed by now and the music is really flying now but new people join in and it just gets better and better.First Johnj does some lovely electric violin work over the top of this and he is quickly joined by Craigus on Theremin (the most cosmic instrument ever invented), a kids ray gun and even more bizarrely a FURBY, yes that talking toy from the nineties and it works! By now we are in in Psych territory with some lovely work from the Dudes and Damo is giving it everything but there is more!By this point the jam is probably half an hour in and the Narcoleptic Penguins (If Carlsberg were naming a band this is what they'd be called!) and their ranks of percussionists line up in front of the stage and take the music to a higher level still, they are beating their instruments to within an inch of their lives but not in anger but in joy with beaming smiles and laughter.After about an hour it is over, the Shaman that was Damo is now a mere mortal, drained and dripping and he gives each of the band a heartfelt hug and he must be thinking that this was a great gig and the audience are still cheering.As I leave the venue into the pleasant summer evening air I am still buzzing and 3 words keep going through my mind as I am trying to come to terms on what I had just witnessed...Outstanding...Inspired...Joyous.
I went to this gig not expecting miracles as I'd already been told that the legendary Can front man would not be playing any Can songs, so no 'Mother Sky' or 'Oh Yeah' then and that he would instead be doing an improvised jam with some invited Worcester musicians, so it all pointed to a potential hit or miss affair.So Damo starts singing or more like channeling something from another cosmic plane and the Dudes Of Neptune take his lead and soon start to pick out an impeccable groove, then it really starts to lift off with some fantastic drumming from Ed Steelefox who truly looks possessed by now and the music is really flying now but new people join in and it just gets better and better.First Johnj does some lovely electric violin work over the top of this and he is quickly joined by Craigus on Theremin (the most cosmic instrument ever invented), a kids ray gun and even more bizarrely a FURBY, yes that talking toy from the nineties and it works! By now we are in in Psych territory with some lovely work from the Dudes and Damo is giving it everything but there is more!By this point the jam is probably half an hour in and the Narcoleptic Penguins (If Carlsberg were naming a band this is what they'd be called!) and their ranks of percussionists line up in front of the stage and take the music to a higher level still, they are beating their instruments to within an inch of their lives but not in anger but in joy with beaming smiles and laughter.After about an hour it is over, the Shaman that was Damo is now a mere mortal, drained and dripping and he gives each of the band a heartfelt hug and he must be thinking that this was a great gig and the audience are still cheering.As I leave the venue into the pleasant summer evening air I am still buzzing and 3 words keep going through my mind as I am trying to come to terms on what I had just witnessed...Outstanding...Inspired...Joyous.
- Jim Lowe, BBC Hereford & Worcester, July 2009
"...this was the first time I'd heard the Meteor Streeter's solo act of spacey guitar, mandolin and violin loops, and by crikey it wasn't half a treat! This was quality stuff from the local multi-instrumental maestro and it was a nice touch when he was joined on stage by songbirds Abi Simon and Llama Lounge promoter Holly Jeffreys..."
- Andy O'Hare, BBC Hereford & Worcester, December 2008
