Tuesday, October 9th, and a disappointedly modest crowd welcomed Diego Garcia to the House of Blues. Opening for Jovanotti, Diego was elevated by masterful Spanish guitar and cellist play, scoring followers before their 45-minute session ended. The word “masterful” being intentional as the strings sitting left and right of Diego left many breathless… both masters of their trade.
Confidently poised, the group of three received several cheering outbursts signifying approval. Though the sound had a tendency to bounce, Diego’s confidence proved to keep the rhythm steady, energetic, and worthy.
Unfortunately there were moments of acoustic and vocal surges that drowned the string setting. Knowing this tour represented Diego Garcia’s initial solo album, I have confidence mixing will improve and look forward to enjoying his progress in the years to come.
On a musical note, Diego Garcia’s artistic journey has evolved from a shielded Elefan refraction style into a vulnerable assemblage allowing emotion reflection. Backed by lyrics focusing on interpersonal relationships, the evening was highlighted by two tracks worthy of note: “Stay” and “Laura.” Both inspiring, both permitted discrete interpretations, a true test of poetry and art.
After Diego and group left the stage, I was honored to speak to the gang. What I discovered was quite surprising on the most obvious scale: Diego Garcia is a humble, appreciative individual motivated to the art of music. Committed completely to his wife, Laura, his first album pays homage to their relationship.
Within each song on his solo album reside Diego’s soul… and that level of open honesty, raw and uncensored, steers comparison to two musical icons: Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen. Though Diego is years from reaching the level of Cash and Cohen, the path is being forged.
As a storyteller, Diego offers elegiac insight.
As a vocalist, Diego lacks far-reaching range and perfection, but the beauty in imperfection cannot be discounted.
As a musician and leader, Diego’s diligence and compromise will determine the path.
What differentiates Diego from the pack is his acknowledgement of limitations as well as his willingness to expose vulnerabilities. His music and performance does not rely on deceit, obnoxiously over-blown decibels, or mistaken promises.
The second performer, Jovanotti, was outclassed by the first. Perhaps his pink-socked belief is that the louder the drum, the quieter the faults… nothing further from the truth or to add.
Danny Huffman
West Orlando News Online
Got Twitter? Shadow me @dannyatecs
