Jake Mattison

NEW NOISE: Jake Mattison.Jake Mattison initially came to High Voltage’s attention in 2006, when he gave a stunning performance of ‘Idle Protest’ on Channel M’s now defunct ‘4Manchester’ music show, but a recent hiatus from playing live by no means seen him sitting in yesterday’s underpants, playing Pro-Evolution Soccer. When the gifted singer-songwriter withdrew his collection of soulful blues tunes from the local limelight, it was with bigger things in mind.After reinstating his one-time band and arranging previously-acoustic songs into electric rock’n’roll oozing with brass and bombast, Mattison has returned with an irresistible EP, ‘Fake Revel Joker’, in aid of Nacro (working with ex-offenders and disadvantaged communities to reduce crime). It combines the husky emotion of Ray Lamontagne with the dishevelled soul of a Tom Waits album, and is possibly the very reason that crime statistics benefit; why nick a car when you can be listening to this city’s most talented songwriter?Key track: Idle Protest ************************************************************ ************************************************************ ******** It was Jake Mattison who had really drawn the crowds to this dim corner of Stockport though, his fanbase having grown since he’s fleshed out singer-songwriter material into a full band sound. Some devotees (or perhaps just me) were a little nervous of this new electric direction, having fallen in love with earlier growling acoustic blues, but tonight’s show proved that the rasping soul of Mattison’s voice has only been bolstered by the addition of brass and a raucous rhythm section. ‘Idle Protest’, a long-standing live staple, was akin to something from Tom Waits’ The Mule Variations; bombastic cornet that will make you punch the air with glee mere moments after your dog is dead and your home repossessed. Encouraging his audience with a yell of “Are you all ready for some melancholy?!” ‘Dirty Old Town’ was reason enough to grab your loved ones and sway gently like a Top Of The Pops studio audience, but it was when the band fell into something only a few degrees of separation from a jam session that their infectious exuberance really spread the love. Jutting guitar necks into the crowd and getting more than a little carried away on the drum kit, Jake Mattison and his band proved that you don’t need to look like Tommy Lee in order to rock the f**k out.I tell you, I needed the journey home just to calm myself down again.Meg MM. ************************************************************ *************** ************************************************************ ***************