| Music review:
willie nelson SECC, Glasgow
THE first four songs limped out onto the Glasgow audience who seemed
largely thrown by the badly out-of-time drummer. Thankfully the set picked
up almost effortlessly.
Nelson decided to opt for a largely greatest hits set over songs from
his much-publicised collaboration with Ryan Adams — Songbird —
confirming the rumours that Willie was unhappy with the collection.
With no fanfare the richness of Nelson’s voice seemed to put this
massive auditorium under the country singer’s spell making the SECC
feel both intimate and entrancing. You can’t argue with songs such
as Georgia On My Mind and Help Me Make It Through The Night.
While Nelson was once seen as making outlaw country music, working outside
the system he’s now celebrated as an American icon. Tonight he gives
us a burst of Patsy Cline’s Crazy — a song he penned himself
— and the Elvis standard Always On My Mind.
It’s true that Nelson never sings a song the same way twice but
it still sounds as potent as ever while picking up a few influences on
the way it’s apparent he’s heard the recent Ryan Adams version
of the song.
Kris Kristofferson’s A Moment Of Forever was an affectionate number
that had couples young and old cuddling up together. It’s obvious
that Willie’s
famous quote: “What I do
for a living is make people feel good” is no false promise.
Good Hearted Woman a massive hit over 30 years ago was another show-stealer
evoking the spirit of Willie’s fellow country outlaw and collaborator
Waylon Jennings.
Amazing Grace was a powerful climax that had the audience singing along.
At 73 Nelson proved he’s still a potent and vital presence transcending
fashion, genre and age. There’s few living icons who could match
up to a performance of this standard.
Richard Purden
****
The Bachelors Renaissance
SOME bands constantly evolve and experiment while others remain as predictable
and comfortable as a favourite teddy bear.
The Bachelors are such a band. John and Dec have been on the road for
more than 30 years and they are very aware of what their fans like. This
album is a collection of the best-known songs including Diane, Charmaine
and Ramona and the lack of musical development over the years is remarkable.
For music of its type this is excellent stuff — the band members
can sing and play their instruments and they are always in control of
their material.
Music fans know what to expect from a ballads and pop group like The Bachelors.
They will not be to everyone’s taste but there will be far worse
albums released at this time of year.
So many people will continue to have a place in their heart for The Bachelors.
David Thorpe
**
Lior Autumn Flow
THE Israeli-born, Australian-raised Lior has been kicking around for
sometime now.
Indeed Autumn Flow — which was some three years in the making —
has been sneaking out in various countries over the last few months.
His genre-defying material — he was turned down by several labels
for being too diverse and for having a perfectionist streak, that three
year timescale should be some indication — might suggest something
with limited appeal but this is a slow burner of a record of acoustic
sensibilities, occasional Middle Eastern influences, smart lyrics and
exquisite tenderness.
Single This Old Love is currently getting heavy airplay on the radio and
with its growing old together sentiment looks likely to be played at weddings
for many years to come.
That will be a very good thing not least because it will keep Lior in
enough royalties to possibly spend another three years on the follow-up.
Comparisons with Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright are inevitable but
are for once probably entirely justified.
Neil Davey
****
various artistes
R&B Lovesongs 2007
finally as we come to R&B Lovesongs 2007 which brings us right up
to date with the latest R&B biggies.
CD1 contains recent hits from Beyoncé (Irreplaceable), Lemar (It’s
Not That Easy) and Justin Timberlake (Sexyback) while CD2 lines up Ne-Yo
(So SIck), Rhianna (Unfaithful) and Chris Brown (Yo Excuse Me Miss).
Mixed in are classics from Heavy D & The Boyz, Brandy & Monica,
TLC and Bobby Brown.
Excellent!
Phil Savva
***
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