Entertainment For Lively Minds
Shelby Lynne
Posted by MichaelP on 4 May 2011 - 10:33am.
When:
1 May 2011
Where:
Queen's Hall Edinburgh
Comments:
The Hall was set out with candle-lit cabaret tables. On the stage, there were two chairs and three guitars. The Queen's Hall is an intimate venue anyway, but this felt like a concert in your front room, and it was mesmerising. From the start, Ms Lynne made it clear that the set would be focussing on her own songs from her post 'I Am Shelby Lynne' catalogue. Only two covers made it into the set, both from the recent' Dusty' album. They played for nearly two hours and every song is a delight - she has no need to play anyone else's songs when her own are so good. And with a voice that strong and such a fine guitar player, John Jackson, to back her up, she doesn't need a band either.
The Audience:
Spellbound during the songs apart from applause after John Jackson's beautiful guitar 'solos'. Only one fuckwit, who kept calling out for Nashville-era covers. If he was nearer the stage, I'm sure Ms Lynne would have jumped down and twatted him.
Food & Drink:
Very good 'Seven Giraffes' ale plus a white wine and soda in the bar for £5.
It Made Me Think...:
The sense of occasion was heightened by the absence of a support act - looking at the two empty spotlit chairs sitting on the stage rather than a load of roadies faffing around created a powerful atmosphere.
I was there.
It was a wonderful gig.
SL sang beautifully, played solid rhythm guitar, and was entertainingly edgy, at times (e.g. her tolerant-but-tetchy responses to the aforementioned f*ckwit); John Jackson played sensitive accompaniment with a nicely dirty guitar sound.
Saw her years back with a full band (including said JJ on guitar) and would like to see a full-band gig again, but this gig's duo setting worked very well indeed, not least in such a nice room (and I had a table seta, right at the front!), so I have no complaints whatsoever about what was a great night out.
And it only takes me 15 mins to walk to the Q's Hall - even better!
I was sat at the front too
Was it you who was the lucky recipient of SL's guitar pick?
Sadly, no, but
the guy who got it was just over to my right, with a friend of mine in-between. I think I was in seat 15, if that helps.
Phew!
It sounds fab. As I've noted elswhere, I've been feeling a bit worried because after waiting years to see her, that she might not live up to expectations.
John Jackson in a subdued style goes against the image I have of him. I saw him many years ago in Lucinda Williams's band and he was a real guitar slinger, with the guitar on a long strap resting against his thigh. Great player though.
Arts Desk review
I reviewed the Edinburgh gig here if anyone fancies a peek:
http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3606:she...
Great review
It was a pity more folk weren't there to see her - Madeleine Peyroux was on in the Usher Hall - maybe she stole some of SL's audience?
yup, good review.
I, too, reckoned MP's gig took away some of the audience. Unfortunate clash, really.
It did indeed
I was in the front row for Madeleine and while enjoyable it wasn't as good as her prvious show at the Queens Hall.
I wish promotors would get their schedules together.Last night I had to choose between Peter Case and Greg Trooper. I opted for Greg Trooper which was a great gig.
At the end of the month I have to choose between Christine Collister and Katy Moffat. I'd like to see both of them.
I suppose I should be grateful to be spoiled for choice
Cadogan Hall
Posting a complete MNOW review of Shelby at Cadogan Hall would probably be superfluous as I don't have too much to add to Michael's review except to say I was surprised that songs from Tears, Lies and Alibis didn't feature more.
She was superb and one of the highlights was closing number of the main set Jesus On A Greyhound. I'd never heard this before simply because I'd never bothered with the universally panned Love, Shelby album. I've since had a listen via Spotify and think it's a hell of a lot better than people gave it credit for. It's rockier than predecessor I Am Shelby Lynne and the song arrangements aren't quite as focussed. Were people simply expecting I Am … pt 2? Having said that I much preferred the stripped down version of Jesus… we got last night to the band version on record.
It shows that I should find out for myself rather than take reviewers opinions as gospel. How many times over the years have I found out that I really like a record after reading damning reviews?
But back to the show. She seemed really nervous for the first couple of numbers. She let her hair fall over her eyes and looked at the floor rather than the audience. But that didn't last long. She unzipped her jacket and it more than metaphorically unzipped her performance. John Jackson did very restrained and tasteful work.
A lovely evening. I hope she comes back sooner rather than later.
Pleased for you, pissed off for me
Yet again an artist I want to see bypasses Birmingham - coming hot on the heels of Chuck Prophet and Alejandro Escovedo this is starting to get irritating now. Sounds like this was an excellent tour - I saw her about 3 years ago in USA and I think she is a terrific artist. Carl, I can certainly recommend Love Shelby - don't understand why it was panned as her voice and songs are excellent. Production is not the best but it certainly isn't a bad album.