Adam Masterson Brings Time Bomb to Life at Transparent Clinch Gallery
Adam Masterson - “Time Bomb”
After more than a decade of covering shows across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, I have learned that some of the most memorable performances happen in the most intimate spaces. That was exactly the case on November 22 at Transparent Clinch Gallery, where Adam Masterson delivered a showcase that felt less like a concert and more like being invited into the living room of Asbury Park’s music community.
The gallery is Danny Clinch’s creative home base. It is a beautiful showcase of his photography, but it is also something bigger. It is a gathering place. Before the music even started, I ran into James Mastro, who was heading over from soundcheck at Wonder Bar with Fernando Perdomo and Mark Ortmann from Marshall Crenshaw’s band. That is the kind of room the Gallery is, where friends, musicians, and neighbors drift in and out, all part of the same ongoing conversation.
Adam Masterson stepped into that atmosphere and made it his own. A New Yorker by way of London, he often says he thrives on not fitting in, but on this afternoon, he commanded the room with the ease of someone born to be at the center of it. His set highlighted his sophomore album Time Bomb, blending rock, folk, gospel, and an unmistakable English lilt. His band featured Ben Stivers on keys, Steven Williams on drums, Brett Bass on bass, and James Mastro on guitar. Danny Clinch also joined the group on harmonica for a couple of songs.
I walked in, only loosely familiar with Adam’s music. I walked out with Time Bomb at the top of my playlist. If you have not heard it yet, give it a listen.
