John Otway at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 29th 2010.
John Otway may not be a name that runs off easily of the lips of many modern music lovers, however for a generation of people bought up with the idea of individualism, the man stands out as shining beacon of hope in an ever increasing drab world.
Part rock star/part imaginary chemistry teacher who would have taught that science could be fun if he had made that a career choice; John Otway weaves his way through an evening’s entertainment with panache, style, the best use of a Theremin anywhere and a big dollop of inspired insanity that marks the man out as one in a million.
John Otway kicked off the evening at the Bilston Robin in such style with his first number one hit Really Free. As ever from the moment he first makes the audience laugh at his on stage antics, he has them in the palm of his hand. John followed that opening song with one of the surprises of a B.B.C poll to find out the best lyrics of the 20th century with the snappily titled Beware of the Flowers Because I’m sure they’re going to get you, yeah!
One of the appeals of John’s work is his inventiveness in producing sounds from the unlikeliest of sources, the audience appreciate it and it always looks as if John gets a huge kick out of it also. With his use of an alternative double neck guitar, instead of a the traditional one with both necks at one end, John has invented a left and right one, which looks peculiar until you hear it being played!
Other songs to be played on the night were the impressive Bunsen Burner, the sensational spectacle of Body Talk and the Osmond’s classic Crazy Horses, the later being reproduced almost faithfully with the Theremin.
John’s mantra has always been to send the audience home happy and there was no doubt amongst the crowd at the Bilston Robin, that once more, he had achieved just that.
Ian D. Hall