Photos courtesy of Stephen Brown
The Countess of Fife recently released her second album, New Phone, New Car, New Man, so for the Glasgow half of her album launch gigs, having already played Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms earlier in the week, it was fitting for her to return to the scene of previous victories, a local gig for me at The Glad Cafe.
It was a very civilised affair in the intimate surroundings of the room in the Southside venue, and as I took my seat, I was anticipating a highly entertaining night packed with jocose quips from the inimitable Countess herself punctuating a set of rabble-rousing alt-country anthems. I was not disappointed.
The Countess had gathered her motley gang of usual suspects, guitar slinger “Clan Chief” Brian McFie, the one and only Kirsten Adamson on vocals and acoustic guitar, tub-thumper supreme Willy Molleson at the back, and the suave stand up bass plucker, Al Gare, who alongside the peerless frontwoman were all on top form and played two sets that dazzled and delighted the rapt audience.
Their first set of the evening, the gentler, more laidback set with The Countess behind her synth, kicked off in style with the title track of the new record, swiftly followed by the brilliant Hard Woman to Love. It may have been the more laidback of the two sets but it didn’t mean the songs didn’t pack a punch, with heart melting takes on songs like Let This Night Be Over, a truly epic soaraway take on Wandering Star and a particularly stunning Live Again to close out this first set. You want more? You got it…
Fay was clearly in ebullient mood as the band re-took the stage for their second set, opening with a rambunctious Second Fiddle which saw her leave the stage and get up close with the crowd, something which she repeated throughout this lively set which exuded charm and personality, and Fay engaging in plenty of between song quips including giving some advice for younger female musicians (Big Sister, Little Sister) including that of alcohol intake & affairs of the heart and her response to dubious conversations with old punks (Don’t Dress Me Up). Call Me the Witch was supreme and alongside Take Me to the Grave these were certainly two mid-set highlights for me. This was before the band played their final pièce de résistance in the remarkably passionate delivery of Worn Out and Unloved. Things weren’t quite over just yet as Ms Fife returned to the stage to rapturous applause for their final bow, a blistering Cutie Pie to send us all home sated and with happy hearts.
