Iron and Wine, Birmingham Town Hall UK 10th March 2011 8/10

Daniel Martin Moore

My expectations for support act Daniel Martin Moore were modest, since I'd read a pretty damning review of his album before hand, but the audience members who stayed in the bar missed an exceptionally moving experience. Daniel sings tenderly from a Christian perspective: 'Don't you ever be downhearted... the light road is always the best’. 

Even if you don't share his faith, a heartfelt sincerity shines through, and the audience stood in rapt concentration during the solo acoustic numbers. 
Between songs, Daniel made an impassioned plea to fight mountaintop removal in Central Appalachia, explaining that an area the size of Wales had been despoiled by this destructive method of mining. He then sang about the birds and sky: 'they got the land, but they ain't got us... but soon they want to get you out'.

This gentle spiritual experience ended with a change in mood with an uptempo foot-tapping number. 
I have been less enthralled listening to a download of his album 'In the Cool of the Day': perhaps he has developed since recording it, or maybe I was simply lucky enough to experience a magical moment of live music making.

Iron and wine

As soon as Sam Beam started to play, the energy in this resonant space changed: the air came alive, and I felt my body responding. I’m a strong believer that music has a sense of place, and the capacity audience had been transported in nostalgic spirit to America.

Sam, with his full beard, softly spoken drawl, and slight stature teased us: ‘You guys are fun, in a way. We are going to have a good time together. It’s all about co-operation’. He had a genuine desire to build up a rapport, and clearly cares about his fans, apologising twice for suffering from the end of a cold.

This was a true ensemble performance, a collaboration, the expanded 8 piece band mixing old fashioned harmonies with synth organ and jazz piano. The star for me was the saxophonist, who also turned his hand to flute and clarinet; the female vocal backing was exemplary; percussion playing imaginative, and everyone was visibly having fun.

Some people mourn the loss of intimacy of Beam with his acoustic guitar, but I love the surprising new direction taken in ‘Kiss Each Other Clean’. This set mixed new songs with more intimate numbers like Lion’s Mane, the mood shifting from fun, to calm, joy and love.

Sam complimented the stunning venue, the neo classical Birmingham Town Hall, and its warm acoustic enhanced the atmosphere, along with tasteful lighting. On arriving I wondered if I'd accidentally stumbled into my old life of opera going. The people here though were more friendly and relaxed than I remember back then.

We enjoyed beautiful melody in Numbers like Me and Lazarus, and Tree by the River and great energy in 'Your Fake Name is Good Enough For Me'. Wolves (from the Shepherd’s Dog album) built up to an immense climax, an extraordinary jam session during which it was wonderful to see the musicians bouncing off each other. With coaxing from Sam, by about half way through the 90 minute set, the audience were casting aside their British reserve and showing their emotion.

There was just one encore: the moving Naked as we Came, with the everyone singing along. I’d already appreciated Kiss Each Other Clean’s new direction, but I didn’t expect to be utterly transported to another realm when listening to Iron and Wine live. This was an intense, heart-warming, moving experience, a memorable evening.

 Note that Iron and Wine recorded a Daytrotter session in January this year: as well as a free MP3 download, there's also a video to stream.


8/10