Name: Craig Cole

ID#: 4061314

A review of the “Armchair Rebul-ution”. The musical

presentation of Michael Sean Harris & DeVices at the
Phillip Sherlock Centre, UWI, Mona on Sunday, October 13,
2008. Focusing on timbre and its impact as a requirement
of the assigned coursework for Listening & Appraisal.
A R EVIEW OF : M ICHAEL S EAN H ARRIS & D E V ICES –
“A RMCHAIR R EBEL - UTION ”
OCTOBER 13, 2008

“Tonight I invite you to my living room. I hope you don’t mind, I’m just going to do some
songs and be comfortable.” This was the sentiment expressed by Michael Sean Harris to
introduce, to the small but expectant audience in the cozy Philip Sherlock Centre on
UWI’s Mona Campus, his “Armchair Rebel-ution”. Indeed the setting and the songs that
followed would lead one to believe that they had been invited to a friend’s home where
they would be made to feel welcomed by being entertained. The 13th evening of
October in the year 2008 will be seared in the minds of the many pleased attendees of
the “Armchair Rebel-ution” as one blessed with an exposé of the beautiful and diverse
thoughts of a genius and his DeVices.

The timbre for the first half of the performance was warm and inviting. Michael &
DeVices sought to ensure that the audience was made to understand that their comfort
was foremost. The music, more than anything, was familiar. This could have been seen
as an introduction of friends; a sense of “getting to know each other”. In this segment
many of the songs were either covers or pieces that were written, or at times performed
by Mr. Harris’ close peers and friends. His voice at this point was mellow and soothing
and some would say at its best, as he crooned those songs that seemed to bring him
solace. What better way would there have been to begin the show than to submerge
himself totally into the emotions that inspired his life and music. With his comfort came
the acceptance and love of the audience. As a result, at the point of the intermission,
everyone knew there was so much in store.

And then there was more…

After the break, the delineation of the music took new form. The impression given was
“so we’ve met, now let’s go party out back.” Formalities were thrown out the door and
the band became more defined, as if to take on a life of its own, with some amount of
emergence to Michael’s strong voice that led the music into a groovier, dance-invoking
mode. Patrons in attendance were invited to join in the excitement as they were
showered with a flurry of genres; from rock to reggae to Arabic music to Southern
bluegrass and even to dancehall (in a way we’ve never seen it before).

The DeVices, both as a band and with the individuality of instruments, uniquely gave
character to each genre. The resonant, piercing and sometimes harsh tones given off by
the stringed instruments, particularly the electric guitar and violins, did well to add to
that dark color associated with rock but was also used craftily to show the playfulness of
Arabic music and the sing-along feel of bluegrass; while, the bass guitar with its focused,
controlled and heavy undertones served as a link between the melodic & rhythmic
sections of this amazing band. The percussions and drums were the heartbeat of the
event and usually acted as the catalyst that took the music in its various directions, with
its loud and commanding sound. Everything note played was merged harmoniously in

A review by Craig Cole of the “Armchair Rebul-ution”. The musical presentation of Michael Sean Harris & DeVices at the Phillip
Sherlock Centre, UWI, Mona on Sunday, October 13, 2008.
compliment of the beautiful and clear voices of Michael and his vocalists, and so
reinforced the ultimate message of welcome and togetherness.

Overall the energy of evening shared by Michael Sean Harris & DeVices along with his
friends provided his satisfied guests with insight into the mind of iconoclastic performer
whose talent and creative genius will continue to woo the hearts of many for years to
come. In the end the question on everyone’s tongue was “when will we meet again?”

A review by Craig Cole of the “Armchair Rebul-ution”. The musical presentation of Michael Sean Harris & DeVices at the Phillip
Sherlock Centre, UWI, Mona on Sunday, October 13, 2008.