As I arrived prior to the concert at the Ravenswood; I was heartened to see so many cars in the car park. Such is the respect for the combined talents of the Thompson family, the elder generation of which I have long been a fan. The latest generation I look forward to adding to my favourites list. Possibly due to the holiday period our first gigs of the autumn period have been sparsely attended although the quality of the artists has been as constant as day and night. Perhaps this will make up for the shortfall at recent concerts. 

As I entered the conference centre at the Ravenswood Teddy had just finished his sound check and Kami was just going through hers. After she had made several adjustments, it was time for the doors to open and let in the audience. Kami was the first to take to the stage and delivered a very pleasant set with her slightly country/folk flavoured sound. By the third song, she was in full flow. Before she started her song she announced that the her inspiration for the song, “For A Dog To Chew“, was a Rudyard Kipling poem, “The Power Of The Dog” The opening stanza of which proved to be particularly poignant for this particular evening. During Kami's set, I couldn’t help but notice that the PA was not up to its normal standard and at times it was distorting and very uncomfortable to listen to. But Kami finished off her set and left the stage to a good bit of appreciation from the audience. Songs performed were: Want You Back; Never Again, For A Dog To Chew, Rain Comes, Little Boy Blue and Blood Wedding. 

Teddy then took to the stage and started his first number and progressed through the second number when he suddenly stopped playing and announced that the sound system was “completely crap” and that it sounded like he was playing in a cardboard box with a lot of people banging on the sides. I will admit that it did not sound good, and was not comfortable on the ear. But what I hadn’t appreciated was that Teddy had told Paul the sound man that he wanted to play loud and every time Paul turned down the sound on the PA to bearable levels, Teddy wanted it turned back up again. By the bank of effects pedals on the stage area it was obvious that the problem was that Teddy wanted to do something which was more usually heard at a stadium concert and quite beyond the ability of the small PA system, which up to now has proved perfectly adequate for virtually all of our previous artists including Eve Selis who appeared in the conference room with near a full-on rock band and was perfectly OK. 

Teddy announced that he was dispensing with the “Crap Sound System” and was going to do a completely acoustic set. This in itself was an extremely good idea and he went on the give us a blistering set which was worthy of praise, but not without a lot of behind the scenes histrionics. To be fair though, the atmosphere he created was stunning with some very pretty musical hooks accompanied by a soulful and moody voice. The acoustic bit worked extremely well as was recognised by the appreciative audience. But between the songs his banter was at times sarcastic, making unnecessary jibes at the venue and the promoters and at one point gave a "looks could kill stare" at one of the audience who got up between songs to get some drinks. His verbal delivery was unfocussed and frequently drifted off aimlessly before he had finished what he had to say. He hardly ever announced which number he was about to perform. The audience were not aware of what had happened at the sound check stage and seemingly, Teddy was going to punish the promoters for not giving him what he wanted. 

We could have had a brilliant flawless performance and as far as the music was concerned we very nearly did. Kami joined him on a couple of numbers with some delicious harmonies. It was a great shame that one with so much talent should have given a terrible display of puerile petulance and a lack of professionalism for which Teddy should know better. If he is to get to the pinnacle of professionalism which his mother and father have, he must mind his manners. It is all too easy to have your adoring fans turn sour on you. This is not the way to be, Teddy. 

After the encore, Teddy firmly ensconced himself in his dressing room and refused to come out and sign CDs which had been purchased by his fans. Acoustic Sussex, I know, bent over backwards and put in a lot of effort to put on this gig which gave Teddy another platform to air his significant talents; please don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Teddy. If you required a state of the art sound system then you should have asked for it in your list of requirements. But our sound system is more than good enough for the excellent performers Acoustic Sussex have hosted. Martin puts artists on for passion, not money, because he is a fan himself and certainly did more than enough to make you welcome and the gig a success. Teddy You are really good, but you are not ready yet walk on water - don’t put a damper on your career prematurely. 

(From the Power of the dog) There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; And when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear. 

Review courtesy of Bob Preece