The Charlatans are still going on. And for that we should all be thankful. Review by Neil Renton.
The Charlatans will always have a special place in my heart.
On the week when Oasis took on Blur when 'Roll With It' when head to head with 'Country House' for the number one spot the best song released that week came from Tim Burgess and Co. 'Just When Your Thinkin' Things Over' might only have made it to number 12 but for me it was better than the other two put together. Infectious, cheeky, daft and gallus. It was everything you wanted from an indie band and more.
It's also worth remembering that The Charlatans were around before Britpop scorched the earth in a blaze of Cool Britannia Union Flags. 'The Only One I Know,' their best known number, was released almost thirty five years ago and it still smells box fresh. They're also impressive live, a proper bands band which means that when they're in town they're always worth checking out.
First up, before they appeared at the Big Top in Glasgow's Queen Park, Scottish talent Callum Beattie put on the kind of performance that deserved the thrones of the crowd to be wearing t-shirts with his name on it.
His voice is very much like Kelly Jones and he's got the kind of patter delivery you'd find in social clubs up and down Scotland. However, he's also got talent and a sufficient body of work such as 'Don't Walk Alone' that come across well with his honest performance.
You also get the feeling he wears his heart on his sleeve which was demonstrated when much to the adulation from many in attendance he stripped off down to a plane white t as the gig went on.
Then came the main event where the tent filled out with those keen to get a glimpse of their heroes.
I've been lucky enough to see them a few times and they never phone it in. You get the feeling that every time they play they do so with the intensity of those who are doing so for the last time. Are they over egging the pudding? When it's a souffle as tasty as theirs it's never wasted.
They're a talented set of musicians who are too busy and focused with he job in hand to get distracted. Martin Blunt on bass, Mark Collins on guitar and Tony Rogers organ playing separating them from many of their peers.
Take 'Then' for instance, the track which kicked off their set and one of their most loved songs. It sprawled and enticed its way through the crowd which suddenly tuned into a mass of Madchester bucket hat wearing dancers who appeared to be swaggering through quicksand.
The followed the kind of set that pleased the most ardent fans of the group without alienating casual acquaintances. Yeah, we're thinking of you, James.
'Crashin' In' and 'Toothache' nestled nicely next to the likes of 'North Country Boy' and the colossal 'One To Another.' All while lead by Tim Burgess.
Not only does he possess a He Man blond bob which is the most impressive hairstyle in music, but he has fantastic stage presence. He prowls and patrols, using a mobile to capture the response of the audience. And if he's not playing cameraman he's holding the mic as if it's a massive spoon for stirring a pot of porridge or a Star Wars lightsaber.
As the show went on it just kept getting better. Burgess voice might not be the strongest but he had thousands of voices to help him. 'Weirdo', Blackened Eyed Boy' and the imperious 'The Only One I Know' almost brought the tent down.
There was a short gap before they returned for the encore. 'You're So Pretty - We're So Pretty' often over looked shimmered before 'Sproston Green' laid claims for being the finest live song from a band from that era still touring.
What would have made it better? ‘Forever’, all seven minutes and twenty five seconds of it, never made an appearance. Which is a shame as the mood the band were in it would still be going on.
The Charlatans are still going on. And for that we should all be thankful.
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