Medi
Henley on Thames, England, United Kingdom
Music
Press
“State of the art power pop”
Why Medicine Show? I asked but no-one could give me an answer. I guess we’ll see. Medi is quite simply an ultra handsome guy. Tall, dark, with long curly hair, and a beard which emphasises his dark-brown eyes. Gorgeous. He’s just finished a gig promoting his first album, “Medi and the Medicine Show” produced by Dave Stewart – bearded half of the Eurythmics no less. On the album, Medi plays good folk rock, which doesn’t always quite work, but is so promising it’s got me stamping my feet with impatience. To the gig itself. At last he arrives, dressed all in black, accompanied by his band. Girls are twisting their necks to get a better view of him. Me too – it hurts. A sax has just come in at the end of “Tears to Cry”, as they extend the song – something that was missing on the record – all very Kravitz from the “Let Love Rule” era. The crowd go mad for the single “Yeah Yeah”. It has its effect. Difficult to do better. Down to just guitar and voice for “Dreamer Awake”. Disturbing. A touch of harmonica. You can feel the atmosphere, and Medi getting off on it. The artist in his world, sometimes surveying the crowd to check they’re still with him. No need to worry – he’s giving it the works. The set morphs into English pop. We even get to hear some new stuff – “Every Day is Like the Last Day” and “Liberty”. He takes us with him. Difficult to pick out a favourite, since the whole show is so compact and coherent. The gig’s a success, the audience leave enraptured – invigorated by the evening’s accumulated pleasure
- Rolling Stone
Discography
Albums:
Medi and The Medicine Show - Medi and The Medicine Show.
Medi and The Medicine Show - At Last.
Medi - You Got Me (Moving).
Photos
Bio
From jamming with the Stones at Dave Stewarts wedding to backing vocals for U2 Medi has done it all, but finally the real magic has appeared with his debut record “You Got Me (Moving)”
Medi cut his teeth in the bars and clubs of Nice and Paris playing with a wide array of bands including his own band “Medi and The Medicine Show” to audiences as far ranging as the drunk tourists to the rock and roll glitterati!
His constant touring earnt him support slots with Supergrass, KT Tunstall and Duffy and lead him to play all over the world. It is this apprenticeship that has given Medi the skills he so gracefully brings to his début album.
Having already proved he’s completely at home with a pair of drumsticks in his hands he has also been blessed with a soulful guitar style (think Steve Cropper) as well as a rythmic keyboard style likened to Stevie Wonder. Combine these with a voice that can melt butter from a mile away and you have the ingredients of a record that will prove as addictive as it is soulful.
For this, his first solo album, Medi flew out to LA to work with producer Tony Berg who described Medi’s aproach to the recording process as “having the the enthusiasm of kid and the savvy of old pro!”
Praise indeed from a man who’s A&R days at Geffen saw him sign Beck and Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club before going on to create his own recording studio built around the mixing desk used for John Lennon’s “Mind Games” album.
It was here that Medi and Tony perfected the crisp melodies and heartfelt lyrics that give’s each song it’s seductive force.
Although Medi played on most of the album he had some help from the amazingly talented Mike Finnegan (Jimi Hendrix Experience) on Hammond B3 and the young guitar virtuoso Blake Mills who helped create the warm vintage feel of the album.
From the heart felt “You Take The Weight” and “No Right Way To Say Goodbye” to the raw angst of “I Know What You Did” and irresistable début single “How Would You Do It” the album is a touching and often lighthearted journey through one man’s experience of love and life.
It was Tony who summed up Medi’s songs best as “intensley personal and univeral in their appeal.”
With his playing and singing styles being compared to so many of musics greats Medi is definitely one act to watch.
Links
