Woven Hand. Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, 7 February.

Surely a likable fellow, that David Eugene Edwards. A bit heavy on hand. With his band 16 Horsepower he got the audience into rapture various times with a mixture of traditional folk, blues and country. Besides the particular sound and the use of uncommon instruments, Edwards, who hails from Denver, Colorado, made an unworldly impression because of his pronounced Christian views. Biblical metaphors, along with good and evil predominate the lyrics of this tormented spirit.

Last year, in the 16hp-meantime, his side project Woven Hand took shape by means of an album and a tour.

Recently the second album 'Blush Music' was already released, with which Edwards not only revealed himself as a pious musician, but as a remarkably productive one too. 'Blush Music' is not just a CD, but an album with ballet music. At the instigation of Tom Barman, Belgian choreographer Wim Vandekeybus approached Edwards to write the music for the latest project of the Ultima Vez dance company.

Without ballet, but with three accompanists, Edwards fired the starting gun for the European Woven Hand tour in Deventer on Friday. Jetlagged, the quartet had rehearsed the entire day. Yet that did not manage to remove the insecurity completely. A string that broke straightaway, minor problems with he sound and difficult communication between band members gave away the awkwardness and caused a jerky start to the concert.

Although keyboard player Daniel McMahon and drummer Ordy Garrison were in the band last year too, Woven Hand did not make the impression that the band members had gotten used to each other's ways. That wasn't annoying, not in the least. On the contrary, it even gave the show an extra edge. For certain in Edwards' case, who had hardly overcome his fatigue, the tension was clearly visible.

ROCK PROPORTIONS

In contrast with the length of the songs on 'Blush Music', in one case even exceeding the fourteen-minute mark, the live versions were reduced to a rock music scale. However, the long-drawn-out sound collages that make 'Blush Music' such a bizarre album were not parted with. On stage too the soundscapes that lingered on in between the songs created a chilling atmosphere. The cawing ravens from Edwards' backyard sounded as if they came from an obscure, abandoned graveyard.

That sinister veil hung over the concert like a damp blanket, that only climaxed with the closer 'Your Russia (Without Hands)'.

Click here for pictures and setlist from this concert.