overlap

From one night to the next, it's another act that's been around since quite some time ago, albeit on this occasion playing live with a full band for the first time in many years. Changes to the road layout around the venue make for more difficulty than usual to get the car parked somewhere, but I'm still inside for long enough to have got bored of how full the place is before the support set starts.

James Walbourne plays acoustic blues-folk-rock-pop, with some nice guitar solos and without the anodyne, soporific features of the Jack Johnsons of this world. His brother's supporting guitar and backing/harmony vocal work definitely helps and it's clear this is someone who's been on enough stages to have paid his touring dues. Man.

If I had a criticism, it would only be that the sheer variety of musical styling leads to a slight make-your-mind-up vibe, but I was still considering whether to buy the album as the set finished which means something about the impression made.

Now, there is no need to make any impression for the main act. Six years and one day previously I'd seen an acoustic set of solo material by Roddy Frame. A couple of years ago he did a handful of songs at the first Shared show in Birmingham but this time it's a set long on Aztec Camera material, and it's brilliant. There's something wrong with you if you can't share the inescapable pop joy of Oblivious, or the simple humanity of How Men Are - leaving some of the lines for the crowd to sing, Roddy comments how much he loves hearing blokes sing 'why should it take/the tears of a woman/to see how men are' to general amusement.

There's something a little newer in there too, White Pony is nice enough, but its' the older and older mobile hits jukebox that people seem to prefer. And how can I possibly criticise that? Somewhere in my heart there is a star that shines for bigger brighter better pop music. And then it's back out to the car for the less welcome return to reality and idiots on the car radio lauding the anticipated return of one not very good trick ponies the Stone Roses. If ever you needed an example of why the world needs the uplifting choruses of a Roddy Frame, that'll more than do!

The Crying Scene
Reason For Living
Back To The One
The North Star
Day Of Reckoning
Killermont Street
We Could Send Letters
White Pony
Bigger Brighter Better
Forty Days Of Rain
Sun
Oblivious
Walk Out To Winter
Pillar To Post
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Hymn To Grace
How Men Are
Down The Dip
Birth Of The True
Somewhere In My Heart