Tags
Berlin, folk, folk rock, house concert, james cruickshank, Konzert, review, singer-songwriter, Sofa Salon, Wohnzimmer
Dearhearts,
I write to you with the melting head of the profoundly hungover, but what an amazing night last night was.
Ned Collette, Mark Geary and Ben Salter offered three very different but complimentary approaches to the solo singer-songwriter format, three different lyrical takes on the world and three compelling performances in the glorious surrounds of Ned, Amy and Paul’s Schöneberg apartment. Thanks to them, and neighbours Sascha and Mirjam for the Pommes Frites, children and positivity.
It was a warm evening and around 65 people spread out across the living room and the Peter Falk Memorial Bar and Smoking Balcony. As always at Sofa Salon, guests end up making new connections or often find that people they know have also turned up to enjoy the vibe, the cold Schultheiss and the great music. It was a large Salon and also a longish one, but people were relaxed, offered their attention and left happy.
Quote of the night went to Mark Geary, explaining to James Cruickshank how the general public sees musicians, “Is that a real song or something you wrote?”
Highlights included German actor and Pommes Frites mogul Sascha Gersak recreating his vocal on Ned’s excellent ‘Long You Lie’, Mark Geary instigating an audience singalong in the dark and Ben Salter’s rich, emotional singing and self-deprecating stories. Also, the look of joy on Ben’s face after his set knowing that he’d just won the entire audience. This, my friends, is what Sofa Salon is made of.
Afterwards, an amenable posse went to that excellent Schöneberg kneipe Resonanz to sustain the mood and have chat with Berlin’s best barkeep. Several friends dropped in late to say hi. The Big Friendly Giant and I left around 4:00 and finished off the night with an early swim at an almost-deserted Plötzensee.
Cheers,
Sam
Please view these videos from Sofa Salon’s three August musicians:
Sofa Salon 