With The Golden Tree
The City Halls, 24 June
For the past few years Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant have been ‘busking’ away at several small venues across the country. Professional busking it must be said. Intricate guitar work, beautiful harmonies, and a stage presence that captivates the audience.
At the City Halls in Glasgow, they were back on home territory, well Norman Blake and James Grant were, while Bernard Butler has become a welcome addition to the people from the big smoke down south enjoying the benefits of the big smoke up north.
Looking back on previous concerts, each provided a glimpse of the special talent that each had delivered over the years in equal measure with their own individual bands or side projects. Generally starting off with a Grant composition followed by Blake then Butler, back to Grant and down the line again. Somewhere during the set there would be a cover or two and everyone in attendance would be as happy as Larry with what they had witnessed.
The past twelve months or so has seen a slight change, not so much in the format, but in the output, with all three finally coming together to contribute to a new album of collective songs. Songs from their self-titled debut album were dropped into the previous sets to gauge audience reaction. Generally given the thumbs up, this tour focuses exclusively on the tracks produced, with a few ‘old chestnuts’ thrown in for good measure.
While they collaborated together, individually each led in the song writing process and their personal identities shine through on each track.
The new songs retain the intricate guitar work with James Grant on acoustic and Bernard Butler, with a few electric guitars, playing lead for most parts with Norman Blake maintaining the rhythm for every track played.
The album played out, a few chestnuts, i.e. well-known songs from their own individual past included, there was, thankfully, still time for the expected encore of Neil Young’s Cinnamon Girl.
A great album by three fantastic musicians, songwriters, and part time comedians. A special night to delight everyone in the City Halls.
Support, The Golden Tree
In keeping with a look to the past, The Golden Tree, with Scottish legends Bobby Bluebell (The Bluebells) & Grahame Skinner (Hipsway, The Cowboy Mouth) sung songs from their two albums to date, Scottish Songs Observed Volumes 1 and 2.
Both albums see them cover favourite songs with more than a hint of Scottishness about them. During the set, the audience were able to listen to their own individual take on songs by Marmalade – Reflections Of My Life, Simple Minds – Chelsea Girl, Teenage Fanclub – Serious Drugs, Bay City Rollers – Shang a Lang, Strawberry Switchblade – Trees And Flowers and Edwyn Collins – Poor Old Soul.
It was captivating with Grahame Skinner again highlighting why he remains one of the best vocalists of his generation. A duet who don’t take themselves too seriously, their chemistry has produced some of the finest collaborations in the past couple of years and rekindled a passion for songs from a not too distant yet maybe forgotten era.
All comments welcome so that we can improve what we are publishing!