This was the second weekend in a row I took in a triple bill of Last Night From Glasgow acts, having been wowed the previous Friday by the album launch show for Slime City in the excellent St Luke’s and the Winged Ox venue, a gig also featuring bis and Casual Worker.
Converted churches seem to be order of the day, this time round Websters Theatre in the city’s West End hosting the trio of Graham Skinner and Douglas McIntyre’s The Cowboy Mouth, the band who have the prestige of being LNFG’s first album release, Sister John and, as I once saw them billed, a seminal Glasgow band, The Bathers. The one time I’d been there before, it was a bitterly cold February evening in the company of Ian Donaldson, the cold was certainly not an issue this time around.
The fact that bands like The Bathers and The Cowboy Mouth are part of the LNFG family helps bring exposure to the label and other bands on the roster. There were a few LNFG virgins in attendance, the couple behind me making positive noises about the glorious set from Sister John, and googling the label as a result, I’m sure a Sister John purchase was on the cards from the merch table.
Just to be contrary, I’m going to start with headliners The Cowboy Mouth. Though I’m not so sure headliners is the right term, the bands having played the same bill previously and rotating the positions on the bill, this is an all round celebration of music that is set to be repeated again. While this was an altogether more sedate affair from the manic pop thrills of last weeks shenanigans, it had more than its fair share of “wow” moments, the finale being a case in point. Following a set showcasing Skinners instantly recognisable soulful vocal (as well as his deadpan asides), and the undisputed talents of ubiquitous guitarist and all round impresario, Douglas McIntyre, from their 1994 album, My Life as a Dog, the band were joined by some friends for a remarkable encore. These LNFG nights have a reputation for jaw dropping encores, Sister John being at the centre of a life affirming Super Trouper on an outing with The Bluebells previously. This time around The Cowboy Mouth were joined by Chris & Ricky from The Bathers with Jonathan & Amanda from Sister John for their wonderful take on Neil Young’s Like a Hurricane, a superb end to the evenings entertainment.
Prior to The Cowboy Mouth, it was the turn of an on fire Sister John (Amanda – “we’re playing all our songs 30% faster tonight”) to cram their fabulous set into their allotted time slot. Their Country/Folk meets Fleetwood Mac meets Velvet Underground blend going down a storm with the Webster’s audience. The band were on top form, looking and sounding like a tight unit while appearing relaxed, as if they were enjoying themselves (Heather’s smiling face and body language during their new song was a joy to behold in itself) as much as the audience. From their opening number, Love Me or Not, onwards, the band had the crowd captivated. Never a note out of place, totally ignoring several attempts at the intro to I’m The One, which turned out to be one of the set highlights, new song (Pointless?) is definitely a hit in the making (as Amanda introduced it), a real foot full to the floor belter. For me, Over Again hit a nerve, as always, packed full of raw emotion and pulling on the heartstrings, as did a stripped back delicate Glasgow is a Rainbow. After last weeks declaration about Slime City’s Glasgow is a Shitehole replacing this as my favourite song about Glasgow, Sister John really hit me straight in the heart with this tonight. Let’s just call them joint favourites.
They may have been the first band on, but The Bathers are not easily forgotten. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not disrespecting the other bands in any way, but if I’m being honest, The Bathers were the big draw here for me. Chris Thomson, in his various guises from Friends Again onwards, soundtracked big parts of my life. Having seen him supporting Sister John solo in the Glad Cafe last year, I thought it was about time to see a full band performance again. I had been unable to attend recent gigs for various reasons, so the Facebook posts about these gigs only served to raise my excitement levels further. And how could a venue be more perfect for someone who recorded an album called Kelvingrove Baby? The acoustics were magnificent, and the band complemented THAT voice perfectly, including subtle chiming electric guitar provided by Ricky Maymie.
I can’t NOT mention that voice. It gets me every time, sending tingles up and down my spine. There is something spiritual and otherworldly about Chris’s vocal. Soothing and hypnotic, dramatic and diaphanous, powerfully moving. And as for the knack he has for telling stories in his lyrics… slipping from his tongue poetically with a hypnotic charm that pulls you into his world, stories that have the ability move you and hit you in the sweet spot every time, releasing feelings of joy, love, sadness, despair…. depending on the lyric and the associated arrangements. Songs from across The Bathers back catalogue got an airing, Girlfriend, The Belle Sisters and Two Cats on the Piano all enchanting and delighting in a set that enraptured from start to finish, but special mention must go to The Angel of Ruskin, with Hazel Morrison’s stunning vocal taking the song to other realms, and the bands closing gambit, the gift that keeps on giving, the long version of Kelvingrove Baby. I can’t get enough of this band and could have listened to them all night.
Another special night from three bands at the top of their game all brought to you by the incredible Last Night From Glasgow. Thank you for the music. Roll on the next time.
Last Night From Glasgow https://shop.lastnightfromglasgow.com/
Looks like I missed a good ‘un, but the Ginger Quiff’s descriptions almost take you there, aided by the video clips. Nice one, Mr Quiff.