Isobel Campbell

Had a splendid time. They sound perfect live just like their recordings. The melodic tunes were nice, but I preferred the rockin tunes I could shake to. Nice back up singers. Isobel talked a lil. Mark however stayed to his usual dark and mysterious self. kinda liked that new kid Willy Mason also. Great voice!!!!

Wow, love the El Rey! Lanegan was right on and his vocals are insane. Can't wait to see him again.

I love Isobel Campbell, though she was experimenting a country style I was not familiar in her old work, Mark Lanegan has a fantastic voice though maybe not for country. The duo lacked newness in their "new" style of singing. Completely a fan of Willy Mason, I follow this guy, love his voice, though he refused to sing his hit songs, and for a "not so well known" artist, if it was me, I would DEFINITELY sing my hit songs. People were leaving back and forth, not paying attention, because it got to be boring after few songs. Basically not too many artists can perform live. Isobel brought a friend to sing few songs, and SHE was a great hit. Can't remember who she was, but was better than the rest. She mentioned it was at the end of their tour, and as she said she was tired, and we got tired even more. Sorry, can not recommend to friends, though they're great to listen to at home and I highly recommend their music.

The crowd at the Wexner Center wasn't big but they were treated to a great show. A top notch band and great singing from Isobel and Mark(although Isobel's mike was way too low on the first few songs). Isobel and Mark hung out and signed stuff after the show which was a real treat. She is very sweet with a great Scottish accent and seemed thrilled that so many people had come for the show. Mark, despite his intense stage presence, seemed warm and friendly. If you have a chance to see these two on tour don't pass it up.

People describe it as an odd combination, but the fact is they work well together. Vocally both are amazing. Her angelic , ethereal style and his gravelly deep vocals compliment each other. The song writing she has done is amazing and they are perfect for both ,and Mark himself to sing. Some song lyrics are very reminiscent of his solo work. The band were excellent, some nice folk tunes and some rock thrown in together. This combination of Mark and Isobel, and the band , produce some nice melodic tunes. Go and see them you will not be dissapointed.

Vacating the bar in the Bowery Ballroom just minutes prior to going on stage, support act Willy Mason is perhaps the most humble, relaxed and ultimately genuine twenty-five year old on the planet. Introducing himself and announcing his pleasure to be in New York, he furthermore declares his intention to play a set of entirely original music. Racing through a number of intimate, seemingly \u2018off-the-cuff songs, interspersed with classics like \u2018Hard Hand To Hold and \u2018Into Tomorrow, he delivers his bold vocals with such ease that his words seem made to be heard over the sound of breaking glass - which on a night like tonight is a prerequisite, given the marked disrespect from a rather vociferous contingent of this Manhattan audience. More \u2018rarities and previously unheard tales of sorrow masterfully crafted drift out across the ballroom in Mason s resonant deep declaration. Live favourites \u2018Waiter At The Station (written by his mother) and \u2018I Got Gold (written for his father) end the set in fine style as Mason gives a simple nod, picks up his bottle of Red Stripe (which he alleges had been staring at him all set) and thanks the New York crowd before heading back down to the bar. The unlikely duo of former Belle and Sebastian singer and cellist Isobel Campbell, and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, QOTSA, Gutter Twins) remain initially elusive in order to allow anticipation, as well as the crowd itself in the Bowery Ballroom, to build. Sauntering silently on, backed by a four-piece band, the pair launch into the opener from new album Hawk; \u2018We Die and See Beauty Reign, a track that wouldn t sound out of place in David Lynch s Twin Peaks \u2018Red Room\u2018; a dream-inducing, pulsating slow dance to hypnotize every listener. Followed by most recent single \u2018Come Undone, Lanegan, with words on a music stand in front of him, assumes his trademark stance, gripping the microphone with right-hand, stand with left, wincing with every note and watching over his female counterpart like Halloween\u2018s killer Michael Myers. Campbell on the other hand, who has produced the new album, is noticeably nervous, delivering her breathless vocals perfectly, but shifting around to involve her beloved cello and as many obscure percussion instruments in each song as possible. \u2018Honey Child What Can I Do? \u2018Ballad of the Broken Seas, and \u2018The Circus is Leaving Town from debut album Ballad of the Broken Seas are a testament to Campbell s song-writing flair. And despite the author s unsettled demeanour, Lanegan appears more relaxed with each song, plying vocals to make anyone s heart crumble in their chest. Vacating the stage after this medley, Lanegan is replaced by \u2018 support act Willy Mason, who appears on the new album and performs \u2018No Place To Fall and the fantastic \u2018Cool Water. Arguably too humble, especially when stood alongside the inanimate Campbell (long periods pass with the band playing and both Campbell and Mason shoe-gazing) Mason nevertheless \u2018plays his part in tonight s main act proceedings like a seasoned professional; running through note-perfect renditions of some of the new LP s finer moments. With Willy gone and Mark yet to return, Isobel plucks up the courage to introduce her band, including fellow song-writer, guitarist and oddly referenced \u2018colleague Jim McCulloch before whispering a haunting version of \u2018Saturday s Gone . Lanegan back, the McCulloch penned \u2018Salvation from second album \u2018Sunday at Devil Dirt is blue-grassed up live, and \u2018Back Burner from the same record demonstrates Campbell s beautiful harmonies but also pedantry, again making sure every scratch, rattle and click is included from the polished version. The latter also demonstrates Lanegan s incredible voice, a growl that only a prolonged 80-a-day habit can produce. An upbeat finale awakens the audience and rapturous applause ensues as the stage becomes deserted on the stroke of midnight. Returning for the encore, partially sedated from preceding enchantment, no one could have expected such a spectacle. Favourites from \u2018Ballad of the Broken Seas are made to sound darker and fresher; \u2018Revolver , \u2018(Do You Wanna) Come Walk With Me? and \u2018Ramblin Man even see Lanegan shifting his shoulders and forcing out the revered drawl in a spine-tingling fashion. Before departing, even the most ardent fan could not have predicted the gig closer. \u2018Wedding Dress, a Mark Lanegan (Band) original, thumps and grinds, the mesmerizing man himself gives it his all, as do the band, with raucous solos and crashing drums - a welcome, chaotic, mammoth goodbye.

Doors open at 8:30, so we showed up, like the fools that we are. Opening act did not go on until after 9:30. The main performers did not go on until AFTER 11, and we did not LEAVE UNTIL AFTER 12:15. How is this acceptable in the real world? Especially in a place with NO CHAIRS???

Campbell is an angel that has pulled up Lanegan from hell. The contrast between the two is startling. Lanegan's effortless voice and intense stage presence made this a great experience.