The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……
In this post we review DRAPED APES, THE GOLDEN TREE and CONSTANT FOLLOWER
DRAPED APES
It can’t be very often that a band from America, makes the journey to Glasgow to play a mini-tour of the city.
That though was the case for Nashville/New York based band Draped Apes.
Having first sampled the band at The Old Haridressers a few days earlier, they were back on stage again at Websters Theatre, equally motivated to ‘put on a show’ for us, the audience.
Armed with some new found familiarity around their setlist from the previous show and a listen to the album Draped Apes from which their name derives from, all added to the performance on the larger stage to a larger audience.
The trio of David Voss, Paul Provenzano and Tim Cheplick, with Rory McGregor deputised as bass player, enhanced their reputation with a set of songs not too far distant from something Elliot Smith may have penned.
They can be well pleased that both showcases, for a relatively new band coming onto the Last Night From Glasgow roster, were so well received from an appreciative audience.
While some may already have known of previous band incarnation Andre Salvador And The Von Kings, tonight’s showcase would firmly put Draped Apes on the minds of many when their new album, due in 2025, is released.
THE GOLDEN TREE
Take two well known characters in the Scottish music scene, Grahame Skinner and Bobby Bluebell, and put them in a recording studio to record songs from some of their favourite Scottish artists of the past, Donovan, Edwyn Collins, Simpe Minds, Jim Diamond to name but a few.
Release an album, Scottish Sings Observed, Vol.1 with renditions that are so tender to the ear, with interpretations that add something extra into the mix that two such luminaries bring.
Grahame Skinner has a voice to die for, with the humour to carry every visit to the musical stage he has played over the years. Providing the backing music to the set, Bobby Bluebell is not shy at coming forward too and between them they offered a unique combination that held the audience in the palm of their hands.
With the set composed of Vol.1 songs, there will be an ever-increasing eagerness to see and hear what future volumes hold in store. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that many in the audience are already putting together their own 10 – 12 Scottish songs they would like the pair to remix in their own innovative style.
CONSTANT FOLLOWER
Constant Follower took to the stage ready to fill the evening void left by Draped Apes and The Golden Tree with a little nervous energy. How would the audience react to their more folksy roots set of songs?
They needn’t have worried. Their songs captivated the audience and the feel-good vibe, or ‘soup’ as leader Stephen McAll was prone to say eased any anxiety any may have felt.
While they are another new member of the Last Night From Glasgow recording family, they already have a couple of albums under their belt, Neither Is, Nor Ever Was and Even Days Dissolve and the setlist displayed a blend of music that offered something different to the evening’s entertainment yet thoroughly engaging throughout.
Scottish music has always offered an eclectic mix of musicians for us to savour and Constant Follower add to that long list of acts with their own brand of heartfelt song writing. What struck most about several songs in the set was the interplay between electric and acoustic guitars. No heavy riffs delivered, sliding notes providing the easiest of accompaniments to the playing and singing of McAll.
Like all the acts on the night, there will be a great deal of anticipation for the release of their own third album, based on the new songs played.
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