The Bathers

The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……

The Glasgow University Union Debating Hall has no doubt held many a cantankerous discussion, with opposing views vying to make their mark on those in attendance. It’s a lovely space for debates.

Last night, there was no rancour as it proved to be an equally fitting space to hear the entire Sirenesque album played live by one of Glasgow’s finest bands, The Bathers.

It has been almost a generation since Chris Thompson and the band released their previous album Pandemonia. A lot has changed in the world during the intervening years. What hasn’t changed though is Chris’s ability to fashion songs tinged with heartfelt emotion.

Sirenesque feels and sounds like an album where all the orchestral arrangements from The Bathers archive have been brought to the fore.

Forming classical movements as much as what we, the uninitiated, would recognise as ‘songs’, they lay the foundation for his dulcet tones to lead us on journeys encompassing cityscapes, visits to mystic islands, with each wrapped around a romantic backdrop.

On stage last night we were treated to the full orchestral rendition of the album, with the string quartet of Esté Visser, Maya Burman-Roy, Rachel Davis and Gisela Hans adding the touch of class that has been the hallmark of The Bathers since they formed in 1987.

The ‘band’ were in excellent form too. Callum McNair providing the subtle guitar work throughout the evening, lending eloquence to each song played. While Iain Nico Bruce was almost invisible as he perched in the corner of the stage, his bass strumming formed the perfect accompaniment to drummer, percussionist and vocalist Hazel Morrison. For those unaccustomed to the works of The Bathers, Hazel regularly hits such high notes it’s a wonder the glass lights above her head didn’t crash into a thousand pieces. That she was note perfect despite a heavy cold on the night, says everything about the professionalism and enjoyment she brings to every performance.

The album has been lauded by all those who have followed the band since their inception, the audience profile would testify to the longevity of their support.

It’s not rock music. It’s not pop music. It is though, a testimony to delivering songs of beauty, incorporating a classical backdrop within a romantic storyline. Chamber pop has been used to identify the genre. If that’s the case, then I can’t wait until the next chamber is offered to us.

The evening performance ended as many had hoped it would, with a look back to some of the songs that have become standard-bearers of the band.

State of Art from Chris’s work with Friends Again, Kelvingrove Baby, The Angel on Ruskin, If Love Could Last Forever.

Each had their own memories for the audience. First heard. First time saw played live. Irrespective of past memories, the evening left everyone with the warm glow of witnessing something akin to musical art.

You can listen to it. You can take meaning from the songs. Chances are the person next to you will be listening to it and taking something from the same song in a different way. It’s a State of Art as Chris sang!

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