Dutch Quality Music from Jodymoon. Walhalla Concert.

When a band's music has been your constant companion for over two years, and you can dream every movement, every note, every tone and every breath, going to their live concert is tricky to say the least. The chance that it will be a disappointment is definitely there.

So it was with great anticipation that I travelled to Rotterdam, to visit the intimate  theatre Walhalla in the old red light district Katendrecht.
Walhalla was new to me, and I had to look for it. But as my search took me past the Fenix loods, with a new food market, I didn't mind at all. What a nice venue. And they do wonderful fresh organic potato chips.

Walhalla turned out to be tiny. As singer Digna Janssen remarked: she was almost in my lap (she said 'on my lip', which is a Dutch expression meaning the same).
It was sold out, and chilly. But the atmosphere quickly turned to pretty hot, from the enthusiasm of the public.

Jodymoon, with new addition Annelieke Marselje on violin, started with a song from their new album. They played quite a few of the new songs, but many of my old favourites as well.

And... was I disappointed? Not at all! Digna Janssen is very sure of her voice, and has the ability to make it whisper or soar at will. And Johan Smeets, accomplished guitar player that he is, oozed fun and made his solos breathtakingly moving. Add Marie-José Didderen's cello  and the violin for drama and you have a heady mix. 

It's hard to catch the feel of Jodymoon's music into words. Quality pop music comes close, but the word 'pop' is far too shallow in my opinion. This is nowhere and never close to any middle of the road pop music. But not heavy, either.
I heard a man behind me (by the way: there was a very large women content in the audience; could it be that Jodymoon appeals to women more?) remark that he was surprised that it wasn't sombre. Due to the use of a cello he had expected heavy stuff, apparently.

The concert set me alight, and I left Walhalla glowing with delight. And vowing that I would start practicing the guitar again, straight away.

What a pity that Maastricht is 3 hours driving from my hometown!

Jodymoon Has Done It Again! Another Rough Amethist of an Album.

Hiya, my Internet friends!
When you have been waiting with baited breath for a new album for over a year, and "All is Waiting" finally plops into your letterbox, the anticipation is almost too much, isn't it?
My delight couldn't have been greater when I discovered the CD came with a handwritten post it from Jodymoon (or whoever packs and sends their CDs) to enjoy it. What a lovely touch!
(Told you I am a soppy old cow)

I had to wait a couple of hours for some peace and quiet, but then, at last, I could pop it into my docking station, put on my headphones, snuggle up in bed (my favorite music listening hideaway) and listen.

(Photo found on Google)

What struck me immediately is the great variety in the songs. Although there seems to be a kind of theme this time. Houses and places feature frequently. As they have chosen to record the music in their own Woodroom Studio in Maastricht, instead of in some foreign studio, this seems to have been an (unconscious?) leading motif. And emotions feature greatly, but this is nothing new for Jodymoon.

Take, for instance track # 7, 'The donkey dance'. It became my instant favourite, simply because I am a junkie for Johan Smeets' guitar playing, but also because of the way their voices blend and the poignant humor of the lyrics.

(As an English teacher my 'ear' for English sometimes trips me up where the lyrics are concerned. Digna Janssen (responsible for the lyrics) makes original use of my professional first language. But who cares if there is the occasional grammatical roughness? It's charming.)

This album is another rough amethist from a too-little known band. The single 'The long way round'  gets played on the radio this time, but I do not envisage an explosion of media interest in their fifth CD either, and that is such a shame! I suppose the reason is that Jodymoon is just not commercial enough.

On the other hand, perhaps they themselves aren't remotely interested in commercialism. I cannot pretend to know.

And it does give one a nice exclusivity at gatherings to be able to state that Jodymoon is simply the best Dutch duo around.

(Jody Who? Well, if you don't know who I mean...Are you sure you know anything about good music? Plug in your Nick & Simon and sweet dreams, my friend.)

The thing is, all jesting aside, I would like to urge everyone to get acquainted with this wonderful music. It speaks directly to your soul. Well, to my soul anyway!

(original photo by Perry Schrijvers)

So check out  "All is Waiting". You can find samples at their website www.jodymoon.com, but also on the Paradiso site (concert today!!! Wish I could be there) and through other concert venues. Simply Google.

I am looking forward enormously to the concert on March 15th in Walhalla Rotterdam.

And for all you international readers of Rays of Light: if there is just one Dutch band you would like to have music from in your music collection, just one, Jodymoon is a great buy.