The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……
James Grant’s first foray into the ‘music industry’ was in 1982 with Friends Again. Forty two years later and, if last night’s show is anything to go by, he has matured wonderfully well as both a musician and raconteur of his life and the ‘Friends’ who have played a major role in his career.
Over these decades, he has become one of the most most respected performers Scotland has ever produced. Whether as a solo artist or as part of the band collectives – Friends Again and Love and Money, his songs have steered a meticulous path through pop, folk, soul, country and blues.
On the evidence of last night’s audience, many have made that same journey with him. If SAGA ever decide to sponsor music, they could start taking an interest in the mature audiences that follow the likes of James and the many others plying their trade to the silver haired brigade.
For those familiar with a James Grant gig, he brings four key ingredients to the party. A crooner’s voice to die for, superb yet understated guitar playing, a fantastic catalogue of songs to plunder from and, not least, his Glaswegian patter. Full time musician, part time comedian it’s always entertaining.
And for this set of gigs, there is a fifth dimension, the introduction of a few of the people he has shared his career with.
And it all started with a family connection. The introduction of daughter Ursula, together with the backing on electric guitar by Rob Shorthouse.
Ursula showed that singing runs thick in the family bloodlines, bringing lovely harmonies to some of her father’s recorded output. Both Ursula and Rob were to become a regular feature on the stage throughout the evening supporting the other ‘Friends’ as they made their own guest appearance.
First special ‘Friend’ was Grahame Skinner. A vocalist who made his mark with The Jazzateers, Hipsway and Cowboy Mouth to name a few.
A singer of supreme quality who worked with James in previous recordings and had a few stories to tell of their time together. However, there is also an emotional bond between the two with Grahame acknowledging how James had got him back into singing after a ten years hiatus. That Mr Skinner, was definitely a lost decade for us!
Tracks by Hipsway, Cowboy Mouth and Bowie were sung and played with such a degree of enjoyment that the audience would quite happily have listened to two of them at a gig in their own right.
The final ‘Friend’ for the night was Chris Thomson and this was definitely a case of Friends Again after all these years. While James left to form Love and Money, Chris formed The Bathers and both flourished to the benefit of everyone in the theatre if the applause was anything to go by.
It’s hard to imagine that the two people occupying the stage in front of us last night are the same two who appear in the original video below.
The rendition of the songs tonight seem further developed over the passing years with the pair bouncing off each other’s craftmanship in a seamless display of professionalism.
In a previous post, I’d highlighted how Scotland had produced a wonderful array of musical acts especially in the 80s and 90s. James, Chris and Grahame were definitely at the vanguard of that movement and showed why tonight.
As befitting any gig, the finale saw all the protagonists brough back on stage for one, or two, or if we were good, three final songs.
At the end, the audience rose as one, applauded the ‘Friends’ on stage and departed into the Glasgow night with Halleluiah Man amongst the many other tracks ringing in their ears.
About the venue
93-95 Hyndland Street, Glasgow West End G11 5PU
Cottiers Theatre is a unique theatrical venue capable of housing all sorts of productions and forms of performance. Events can take place against the backdrop of the stained glass and ornate timberwork or within a black interior suited to certain types of drama. The theatre comfortably seats 206 persons with a generous stage and large impressive acoustic.
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