So it came to pass that Josh (aka J.P.) Oldfield wanted to promote a gig in Devizes, home town etc. And in so doing realised somebody else would have just released a new album, so invited them along – and that person said “yes” 🙂 And so it was born… a double header in the cellar bar at The Bear Hotel, Devizes was born. However, entry tokens soon sold out and the gig was moved to the Ballroom with its extended (crown noise Wooo-OOOOO-oooo) capacity. And it was created. And we say it was good.
by Ian Diddams
images by Ian Diddams
So step into the limelight Josh aka J.P. Oldfield dead on time, guitar in hand, standard waist-coated, open shirt and hat attired. And it was hot. Very hot. And he did perspire with much dampness with no towel, having rejected the advice from his fellow troubadour. And it was sweaty.
VERY sweaty.
J.P. is fairly new on the scene in mid-Wiltshire but he is already cutting his own swathe through the local music scene with gigs in the area and a slot recently at Trowbridge Festival. His delivery is a Johnny Cash style – deep voice, slightly countrified acoustic folk. Playing a mix of covers and his own thoughtful pieces he commands the stage – being about six feet tall tends to help!
The set list this time has no Cash … but does have interesting covers; now there are covers, and there are covers. Some are of the tribute band variety, pub sing-a-long, easy crowd pleasers variety, and others are take-a-song-and-put-an-own-twist on it. J.P.’s covers are very much in the latter ilk, where sometimes you are well into a song before you recognise its origins. This takes skill and no little panache to pull it off. Other originals in a similar vein sometimes hint at maybe an homage to a well known song … although not in this set, listen to J.P.’s “Last Orders” from his EP “Bouffon” and you may well be wondering if its a Billy Joel “Piano Man” cover 🙂
Josh opened with “Red Right Hand” – very much a Nick Cave rendition as J.P.’s voice fits the growling delivery so well. There is only one other cover in this set, “House of the Rising Sun” and that is very much a J.P. tweak. Otherwise everything is self penned originals – and we are the luckier for it too as his own slightly darker interpretation of the world shines forth.
In a town (Devizes) that is a beacon for lovers of independent live music, Josh’s arrival is a very welcome addition to an already existing cornucopia of delights. He describes his music as “Southern Gothic” and strives to encompass some dark humour and homages to classic literature and music in the process. Listen to the lyrics and it starts to stand out… and its possibly the first time you will hear a kazoo used in a “serious”, non comedy song to boot!
Josh’s set was as a support the right length, but nonetheless left me wanting more – catch him soon somewhere as a headliner.
J.P Oldfield’s E.P. Bouffon is available to buy from him directly (https://www.facebook.com/profile/61566328311883/)
or to stream (https://open.spotify.com/album/723T6qMJLpqOuyDR8Ly4WF)
Bear Hotel Setlist
1) Red Right Hand
2) The Preacher’s Noose
3) The Ghost of Spring Heeled Jack
https://open.spotify.com/track/3zGmZUsb1nM6ScRQkyTtLj
4) Wrong side of the Road
5) Speak in a Sunday Voice
6) House of the Rising Sun
7) Further From Heaven
8) No Rest
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