Zephyr Theater Hollywood, CA
Web: positivemusic.com
Contact: [email protected]
Players: Harold Payne, acoustic guitar, vocals
Material: Harold Payne’s "An Artful Dodger's Journey in Story & Song" included "Don’t Worry 'Bout Me" and "Daylight," his first hit with Bobby Womack. “Music Speaks Louder Than Words," written while on a boat in the engine room with sardine crowded passengers. "Candle to Candle" put on the spot during an Indian Ashram ceremony Improvised in the moment to rapturous applause.
Harold has also written customized songs for the likes of Regis Philbin, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, among others such as Carlos Santana and Patti Labelle. Presented during this matinee show as a troubadour with an oratory and video screen pictorial on the screen behind him. One poignant moment displayed his childhood Gardena, CA Japanese friends during World War II, while he sang his tribute song to them "Quiet Heroes."
Musicianship: Harold owns his guitar chops evident during his fingerpicking tunes or when he asks the crowd to shout out a title or subject matter to which he will improvise in the moment a song for them and then ask what type of style do you want me to play it in? Country, folk, blues, samba? It's clear it’s not about the guitar, but it serves the song as the audience would appreciate it in the moment, like a jazz artist improving with lyrics.
Performance: Harold's show shines so bright here that one might consider going into their breast pocket to don their Ray Bans. First off he ask for a couple in the audience to come up on stage and sit at a small dining table for two. Complete with a rose, two water glasses, over a black cloth, and a candle, very romantic. He then Improvises a song for them based on their random subject titles that is part hysterical but also poignantly beautiful to again great applause.
But wait, he's not done, he tells the crowd, "When I sing about the cash register, I want all of you to shout 'KA-CHING.' And when I sing the word tip jar, I want all of you to shout out 'DING.' And when I sing about the blender, I want all of you to go into your gut and throat and make a blender sound."
Summary: In Harold’s words, “I've opened for major artists who came off their tour buses, and hit the stage saying hello Cleveland or Denver, and end up correcting themselves. They had no idea what city they were in. I’m grateful I got to taste the glow without getting burned.” Under the radar and over the moon, an artful dodger indeed.
