This is a site where I post reviews of CDs, DVDs, LPs, and concerts. I have been writing music reviews on and off since 1984. I ran a heavy metal fanzine from 1984-1988 called Metal Madness and have been a staff writer for Aural Innovations for many years. I have also contributed to Chrohinga Well (RIP), Bad Acid (RIP), Lowcut (RIP), Roadburn and a number of other zines as well. I recently moved to Portugal so please request the new address and do not send any music to Denmark anymore. Tak..
DeGuy, is from Germany (via Israel) and lives locally. I have known him for about a year and he is the guitarist in the local afro-funk band, Idiotheque. This was his first solo gig since moving to Portugal and it was great. Canta is a lovely small intimate place for artists to play. Everyone plays for donations. DeGuy has released 3 albums and an digital EP last year, two of which were on sale at the gig, one on LP and one of CD,
It started almost an hr late compared to the advertised time which is normal for this place. I see no point saying it starts at 8 when the artists rarely start before 2045 or so. Anyway, DeGuy played all original songs on acoustic or electric guitar, keyboard (setting Piano). He was often accompanied by a lovely lady on djembe and backing vocals. Later, he played two songs from a friend from Leipzig, who then sang the lead vocal. At the end of the hr show, another man came and played primarily cajon but also some other percussive items. It was a really well crafted set of diverse music and passionate songs. Basically singer songwriter stuff but with a clever use of looping, to create more rhythm but often, just atmosphere. It really made the songs more special and interesting for me. Loved the track where he played Harmonica and did some interesting vocal manipulation at the end. There was a bit of a jam at the end with Alex and Nick from Idiotheque came and jammed with him. Very nice evening and congrats on a nice and diverse set of new and old songs. Surprised none of the songs on the EP from 2025 were played though.
Set List: Rivers Fall, Bridge, Going Away, Wise Tree, Like a King, (M-Kash-guest singer)- Black Tee and Fish, Wanna be Free, Harmony Way, Motion, Better Times, ???
Joe is a local singer songwriter, who played the opening of Canta on May 31st, 2025 so it was a sort of anniversary. He was joined by local musician and producer Shahar Kaufmann (bass, ??) as well as special guests Jonas (Oud) and Marijam (Violin) from Tau Ensemble.
Show was to start at 20 but like is normal in Portugal, it was late and they did not start until 2040! I had to leave early sadly but got to see about 40mins of the concert. It was all original songs, I am pretty sure and what a great voice he has and interesting guitar playing. The other players worked seamlessly as if they had all been playing for years. Wow.. Fantastic music. I filmed the intro… He played a lot of songs from his latest album, River of Gold.
This was a big market and music day with lots of kids activities as well about 25mins from our house. IT is a lovely place and they have these large glamping houses and camping area, two big pools and smaller pools, a restaurant and bar. ‘
The music stage was set up right next to the 2nd pool. A guy named João played some acoustic songs, mostly covers but he does them very well. We had seen him play here at the Christmas Market last year. There was another duo also playing most covers.. Sadly, everything as far as music was running really late so Idiotheque, the headline act, did not get a sound check. This delayed things a lot as they had to get the sound ok for this 8 piece band to play well. They were due to play at 21 but did not get started til after 2120…
Anyway, it had been a year, almost to the date, that I had seen them last, not counting that they rehearse in my studio every week and I see them there. They have a new guitar player, Guy, and this was his 2nd gig. He was awesome and fit in well. Sound was rough for the first songs and they just sort of jammed for the first 15mins while the sound guy tried to get things sorted. Eventually, they kicked things off but not with the song they had planned! They sounded great. Wow.. I was impressed and the grooves were good. They debuted a new song called Destination. I had heard them play it in the studio. It has a nice African feel to it. Tom had an outrageous costume as did Adriana, the female singer. Other guys not really dressed up much. Loved Guy´s psychedelic jacket though! It was a great set about 75mins, I guess. A lot of people dancing and having a great time and they were super well received. For sure not another band playing all original Afro-funk music in this part of the world, anywhere near as good as these guys….
Check them out on bandcamp… They are still working on their first album..
