How do you describe this blues act without resorting to cliché, pity or side-show hysteria? In essence Jeffrey Marshall is an ameliac, meaning a congenital absence of both his arms, who lies on the floor and strikes a guitar with just his toes while either singing or playing harmonica into a microphone. There aren’t many clips to be unearthed on Youtube and the initial sight of 7 toes Marshall is a surprise to say the least. However, once you circumnavigate the image and listen to the music then you are in for a treat.
The fact that he has overcome his physical restrictions to play at all is arresting but on witnessing his performance then shock turns to awe and you can appreciate the pure gold of his unbelievable achievement. This is blues as it should be, not just played with the feet but played with the heart and soul. Listen to the rendition of Tracey Chapman’s song ‘Give me one reason’ sung by Mama Soul at the blues factory in Thailand with Jeffrey and you are listening to salt of the earth blues in full bloom. Indeed he has aligned himself with peers and attracted the attention of champions of the genre who look every inch the part, and sound it. They are clearly playing with Jeffrey Marshall because they want to play good music.
Or take songs like ‘The ballad of Jean Pierre’ and ‘Whisky’ which has Jeffrey handling vocals. This is gritty stuff that ripples along with panache and a swagger that exudes atmosphere. If the blues is about the spirit enduring adversity and emerging as victor then one could not find a more successful exponent. Without doubt Jeffrey Marshall has had to overcome the injustices that fate has meted out to him and in time honoured fashion he has found an outlet through music. It would be trite to ignore his disability but it would be foolish to be distracted by it. Focus rather on his abilities for he not only slaps a mean bass with his foot but also blows a meaty mouth organ.
He is also part of the immodestly named Supercool, formed with friend and guitarist David Levanti. They have released two albums, entitled with similar self-deprecating humour, Greatest hits volume one and Greatest hits volume two, produced by Dave Pomeroy, a veteran session musician on countless albums by the good and the great.
Jeffrey Marshall can also take solace in the fact that he has a face which is not dissimilar to the Greek beauty of Hendrix, and while Jeffrey himself would probably not be arrogant enough to draw comparisons I doubt even Jimi could manage the dexterity that Jeffrey manages. Anyone can play a guitar behind their back but you try picking a tune with your boots off! And the moniker ‘7 toes’ is completely literal. The big toe on his right foot is used to fret the neck of the instrument while his other foot demonstrates unbelievable agility with the strings. And being one cool dude in his pork-pie hat and braces he’s stylish right down to those talented toes sparkling with rings.
Yet this is an unassuming man who is sanguine about his situation but determined with his ambitions. As a graduate of film and music business studies at Middle Tennessee state University he has diverse interests and multiple talents which have even evolved into public speaking engagements, yet music is his lifeblood. Many aspiring artists resort to gimmicks to advance their career. In Jeffrey’s case he neither wants nor deserves to be regarded as playing off a gimmick. He simply wants and deserves to be applauded on the strength of what he does best – playing music that inspires anyone who will listen.
Review by Peter Heydon
No comments:
Post a Comment