Imogen Heap is classically trained on piano, cello and clarinet; and self-trained on guitar, drums, frying pans, bonfires and anything else that she can add into the mix to make her music. Her last album was created in the basement studio of her parents house, and her regular progress reports on YouTube frequently included the inclusion of unusual instruments from around the world and an assortment of household objects.
The end result of her time-consuming sound crafting process is complex and beautiful music, best appreciated through earphones where the details can be relished. But how could she reproduce this live? The easiest and safest approach would be to use pre-recorded tracks, which would be a little boring. But, encouragingly, the stage was covered in a variety of instruments, sheets of metal and other stuff that looked like it might make a pleasant noise if approached appropriately. Then Imogen walked on stage rubbing the top of wine glass, making the noise that rubbed wine glasses make, and we knew we were in for something special.
“I used the sound from this wine glass on this song. Well not this particular wine glass of course, but one just like it”, was her introduction. She then placed the ringing wine glass next to some device that then looped the sound, then did the same to another wine glass; added in some vocal noises and then sat down at the piano and gave us a beautiful version of “First Train Home”.
We were then introduced to her wrists which had microphones attached so they could pick up the sound of whatever she played on her journey round the stage. This meant that, on her own, she could create a barrage of music, and about half of the songs were played without support. But she also had a percussionist and a couple of other players who were given their own spots before the main concert began.
Back Ted N-Ted is the unusual name of the guitarist who was a good at getting weird sounds out his guitar; but his songs didn’t do a lot for me. Tim Exile played a monster piece of electronics into which he sung, played keyboards, mixed in sounds from the audience, and came up with, well, music. Not the sort of music you probably want to buy and listen to regularly; but as an act of improvisation, exceedingly clever. A talented musician, great showman and probably slightly mad. But you could appreciate why he was there when he then played with Imogen Heap. Armed with a microphone that looked like a joystick, he picked up some of her sounds, dropped them into his zillion transistor gadget and bingo, backing track.
For two hours, Imogen Heap strode around the stage like a musical commando, playing more instruments and devices than I could name or remember (although I do recall something that looked like, and probably was, a washing machine drain pipe being twirled above her head to fine sonic effect); and the result was always a beautiful noise. Given the number of instruments and range of technology being employed, you got the impression that there was no musical safety net and everything was close to collapsing into chaos at any time. But, apart from a couple of restarts when things weren’t quite right, the music flowed without a hitch.
Best instrument of all was her amazing voice which soared on every song and never missed a note. Yes, she is a genius composer/arranger/producer (a 2010 Grammy for best engineered album is affirmation of that); but it is her voice which first captures your attention.
In between songs she was chatty and charming and slightly confused in an Eddie Izzard so, yes, what do I do next, sort of way. Her tall stature, wild hair and very English voice reminded you of a slightly eccentric aunt who was rumoured to have created strange things in greenhouses. She was funny, self-deprecating and it was impossible not to like her.
By the end of the concert I was impressed, amused, happy and rather besotted with Imogen Heap and her ability to create music. Thirty six hours on and I am still smiling and re-listening to her albums. Now I can clearly hear the wine glasses in First Train Home; I bet she could make something amazing out of the sound of liquid being squirted into a Starbucks grande cup……
Thanks to Audemars for the excellent steak and bottle of red before the concert, the beer afterwards, and the accommodation. Can we do it again when she returns to Singapore later in the year please?
Comments 🔗
2010-04-01| Audemars saysAbsolutely. Bring your wife and the cats to see the lovely Miss Heap as well.
2011-01-01| es 335 gibson saysyeah I know! You wanna hang out? Play some guitar hero
2011-01-03| Spike saysNo