(Gareth Gale & Guy Buttery)
(Review from the artSMart team covering the 2014 Witness Hilton Arts
Festival which ran at Hilton College from September 19 to 21)
Two performers enthralled and mesmerised the audience with the
virtuosity of their performance. (Review by Keith Millar)
Making an appearance at the Witness Hilton Arts Festival this year, for
one concert only, was multiple award-winning acoustic guitar genius Guy
Buttery. Joining him on the stage was one of South Africa’s leading young
drummers, Gareth Gale. Together these two enthralled and mesmerised the
audience at the Hilton College Chapel with the virtuosity of their performance.
Buttery, who has two SAMA awards and no less than five Standard Bank
Ovation awards to his name, is a fingerstyle guitarist. Only now, he has taken
his playing to a whole new level. Employing a variety of percussive sounds and
unorthodox guitar techniques, he creates a complex and rich sound which is all
his own. It has been said that he is a “one man guitar orchestra”.
When Buttery chats to his audience, he comes across as a mellow and
unassuming character. His performance, however, is filled with passion and
emotion. He puts his heart and soul into his music and holds nothing back. He
leaves one with the feeling that he has given all he has to give.
Gareth Gale is a superb percussionist and is highly regarded in the
industry. He uses brushes on his drum kit for most of this performance. His
style was beautifully sensitive and intelligent and consummately complimentary
to Buttery’s guitar work.
The synergy and chemistry between these two musicians was palpable and
the result is a quite spectacular performance.
Buttery and Gale will soon embark on a national tour. Look out for them
and, if the opportunity is there, don’t miss their show. You won’t regret it as
these two homegrown stars are world class performers. – Keith Millar
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