The (really quite good whoever it was) DJ was playing Aretha when I arrived at the Glee Club. I took that to be significant before remembering that no, Adele’s the new Aretha, Duffy’s the new Dusty. Of course. Whether or not she’s worthy of such praise, well, that was what I was there to make my mind up on. Read the rest of this entry »
The Glee Club was humming when I arrived, most likely caused by a reportedly excellent set by Jay Jay Pistolet which I’d just missed. The merchandise table was certainly doing a brisk trade with his stack of 7″ promos disappearing quickly. “Very like Bright Eyes” was one approving verdict so I’d urge you to check his MySpace, as will I. Read the rest of this entry »
In a recent album review Ain was described as commanding attention by ‘being the quietest person in the room’. However, the ever polite Glee Club audience was silent and still threatened to drown him out. Ain is the archetypal shy, mumbling, floppy-haired singer/songwriter and has produced a decent album of textured subtlety but I found that most of this was lost in a rather too apologetic performance.
With exactly the same stage set-up – a mic and two guitars – Tina Dico made an entirely different impression. Of course, being thoroughly beautiful (if tall, musical, stereotypically Scandinavian girls are your type) doesn’t hurt to make a few jaws go slack around the room, but it was her breezy confidence and strong voice that helped her take the evening by the scruff of the neck.
Doug Walker is being groomed for stardom, that much is clear. The story goes that he spent a morning handing out demos to Radio 1 staff one morning and Chris Moyles took one and ended up giving him 30 minutes of airtime that very morning. A major label deal followed.
The thing is, would you take an endorsement from Moyles? Quite. Doug’s a very likeable character but his songs, with names like ‘Shine’, ‘Shed A Little Light’ and ‘Stay With You’ are blandly aspirational MOR. The cynic in me says that he’d appeal to the core Radio 2/Radio 6 market of slightly older listeners who, crucially, still pay for CDs.
His frequent banter with the crowd seemed to be fueled by nervousness but there was also the puppyish enthusiasm of someone who isn’t yet used to their growing status. Unfortunately, his attempts to rope his band into the fun were met with dead-eyed disdain from his charmless bassist.
So Doug Walker wasn’t quite my cuppa. Even so I certainly don’t begrudge him his likely success, it’s just no coincidence that the better songwriters carry a few scars. Doug’s smoothed-out sound gave me no edges to get any purchase on.
I knew little of Sarabeth Tucek before this show. All I was aware of was that she sang on a Brian Jonestown Massacre album (she was in the documentary Dig!) and she was slated by Bob Dylan fans after having the temerity to accept an invitation to open for him. I took both to be good endorsements (seriously, have you ever met a die-hard Dylan fan you didn’t want to punch?).
She was a very different proposition to her support act. Whereas Doug took advantage of the intimate confines of the venue to fill it with lively sound, Sarabeth reined things in, almost making you lean forward a little to listen. Whereas Doug chatted effusively between songs, Sarabeth gave the odd sharp smile.
Her songs were slow-paced, with the consistent elements of her soft, smokey yet precise voice and the excellent riffing of the tall, bearded guitarist with salon-fresh hair by her side. She also seemed to act the songs out in her head if the changing look in her eyes was anything to go by – in fact there was something very compelling about those eyes.
Truth be told, I’d had a long day, I was tired and if I’d had the choice I wouldn’t have chosen to go and catch some live music. As it happens, Sarabeth provided an excellent soundtrack to feeling a little weary. She ran through most of her self-titled debut album with the better songs such as ‘Holy Smoke’ and ‘Something For You’ translating best to the stage. For an encore she performed a Neil Young cover – his country-rock material providing a good comparison to her own material.
Mainstream success doesn’t seem as likely for Sarabeth as it does for Doug. Both performers have a traditional and unadventurous style but I much preferred Sarabeth’s ability to conjure an atmosphere, even if it’s mostly downbeat, over Doug’s greeting card sentiments. Sarabeth Tuck won’t change your life but I found an evening in her company very pleasant indeed.
Everyone that plays at the Glee Club comments on how quiet and polite everyone is. It’s not that all Brummies are naturally diffident, it’s that the staff seem to be pretty sharp on their ‘behaviour in the club policy’ which points out that customers aren’t spending a night down the pub and so shouldn’t act like they are. On the plus side it means you don’t get people yapping away during your favourite songs. On the down side you have to listen to support acts who would benefit from being drowned out by a more convivial atmosphere. Joseph Golden was a victim of this down side and, as I’m never that keen on giving people entirely negative reviews, that’s all I’ll say on the matter. Read the rest of this entry »
I have a pretty dreadful record when it comes to catching support acts. When I think about it it’s a pretty irrational thing, I mean, I’m all in favour of value for money and live music for live music’s sake and a support act gives you both. So what’s the problem? I’ve probably missed out on a few corkers down the years who’ve gone on to big things too.It’s probably because too often the support act is an afterthought, called up at the last minute. Or maybe their label’s paying the main act to drag them around on tour. Or maybe they’re the support act because they’re actually not really that good. Anyway, I didn’t catch the name of the support act for this show but they were limp and insipid to the point of unbearableness. I’m glad I only caught the second half of their set. Read the rest of this entry »
You readers may have seen a piece on this site back on 10 May titled Introducing Basia Bulat, heck, you might even remember it – there was a reference to the new ‘Canadian sensation’ signed to Rough Trade, a clutch of tracks to listen to and a handful of live dates. I confess I didn’t really pay too much attention.Anyway, a couple of weeks later I was asked if I wanted to go and see her perform live and, having nothing else to do that evening, I agreed and half-heartedly set about listening to whatever tunes I could get hold of. Which was when I realised I’d been saved from making quite a silly mistake. Read the rest of this entry »