Tonight:
5°c
Critic rating
, Quieter side of an indie legend
Louis Pattison, London Lite 1 May 2007
You may not know the name David Pajo, but for a certain kind of indie-inclined gentleman (think large spectacles, fisherman's beard) this Louisville-bred guitarist inspires the sort of we-are-not-worthy respect that can do the impossible - keep a medium-sized venue silent for almost an hour.
Pajo cut his teeth in Eighties combo Slint and spent a brief period in the limelight as guitar for Smashing Pumpkins man Billy Corgan's short-lived supergroup Zwan.
Far from being a flashy axe-for-hire, though, recent years have seen Pajo happier to keep his own company, recording solo albums under his own name, or tonight's pseudonym, Papa M.
Pajo's only companions tonight were his guitar, harmonica and a handful of toy shop bells he played with his feet.
But as these gentle, fingerpicked songs flared into life, it was clear he needed little else.
Songs like Mary Of The Wild Moors and Manson Twins are steeped in traditional Americana and the English folk tradition - sweet melodies that, in a just world, should ring beyond the indie ghetto.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
