Subscribe
Get close
Moriarty’s Friday afternoon show at the Gypsy Avalon may be my favorite set so far mainly because it was such an unexpected surprise. There was therefore no surprise when the France-based sextet took the tiny Naeba Shokudo stage at midnight on Saturday, though it’s a good bet that the folks who were occupying every mud-slathered nook and cranny at that odd venue had no idea what to expect. The reaction was all the more rewarding.
The band was definitely more relaxed, this being their fourth gig at Fuji in two days. The close quarters didn’t crimp their roots acoustic style since they’re a pretty chummy bunch to begin with, and Rosemary Stanley had loosened up considerably–or maybe she just had a few cocktails in her. Dressed in a shocking red teddy, she danced and whirled as much as space would allow her. “This is our most rock and roll set,” she said, and I assume she was talking about the mood rather than the songs themselves, which were mostly the same ones I heard on Friday except in a different order. The “roboto” song was a sure hit, and the encore of “Isabella” left people literally panting. They’ll be playing the Quattro clubs in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya next week. Do yourself a favor.
photo: Chikazawa Hoji
