Concert Review: Curtis Harding Is Vintage Soul At Rough Trade NYC

There are certain artists that to enter their space is to, literally, time-warp. With a few “peace, love, and positive vibes” tossed in like proverbs in between tracks, Curtis Harding remains in the 60/70’s psych-rock/ beat movement; criss-crossing across America to leave music that pulls your soul out of your body and into a musical sky. His Rough Trade NYC show celebrating his new record, Face Your Fear, was no exception. 

From his look to the audience’s look, there was no denying that Harding’s music/ concert is a time capsule. I, literally, saw a woman dressed as Ziggy Stardust, and she looked AWESOME! We all have friends who connect with a certain era more than a culture because, in a way, certain decades are, literally, a culture within themselves. As Harding waled on notes and chords, you saw the 70’s lashing forward like a wild whip; pushing out the cans of thoughts that plague you about the modern day. It was refreshing to feel like we were living in another, simpler time, and Harding was aware of it. He embodies everything we think of when we look back on time such as, it had more hope, spiritual fire, and potential for peace and joy. Thus, you relish his tracks such as, “Go As You Are”, “Beautiful People”, “Need My Baby”, and “I Need Your Love”, because they are all about pining and admiring the love you know people have, while, nowadays, you doubt its exists. They revel in those classic “Donny Hathaway/ Jimi Hendrix” tracks that made life feel like a Grecian Epic that could have a Disney ending. Of course, to sing old-school soul, you HAVE to have a good voice. Soul might as well be a top, exclusive VIP section, of which only a few get entry badges like, Curtis Harding. 

I can sit here and say Harding has a great voice, but that feels like such a given. Instead, what you should admire is how effervescent it is, and his capacity to emote notes like he was speaking them rather than belting them. Singing is a whole other, upped level from speaking, and you need a lot of physical and will power to get the confidence and control to do it perfectly. Thus, you watch Harding entertain from tracks like, “On & On” to “Freedom”, completely absorbed by his sound and dynamic, but you might not realize how deliciously easy it is to him, which, for me, it what makes him a great performer. You could have it all, but, when you have it all so easily, that is when you have magic. For More Information On Curtis Harding Click Here.